Incredible African-American Autobiographies

When you’re looking for African-American biographies books to read, don’t forget about autobiographies. An autobiographical book is a first-person account of the writer’s life. When students read autobiographies, they begin to connect with historical figures in new ways. 

1. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

Frederick Douglass, a powerful voice in the abolitionist movement of the 1800s, started his life as a slave. His Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass has become a classic African-American autobiography. Douglass authored other accounts of his life as well. Don’t miss My Bondage and My Freedom and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. The latter is available as a LightSail audiobook.

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2. Up from Slavery

Booker T. Washington believed in the power of education. During his lifetime, this former slave went to great lengths to become educated and help others do the same. While not everyone at the time — or even today — agreed with all of his methods, there’s no doubt that Washington left an indelible mark on the United States. In Up from Slavery, your students can read about this leader in his own words.

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3. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself

Harriet Jacobs wrote this book in the mid-1800s after fleeing bondage and escaping to the North. She hoped that her powerful memoirs would persuade white women in the North to face the true horrors of slavery. Her writing refers to sexual abuse and other trauma, so parental guidance is suggested.

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4. Twelve Years a Slave

Solomon Northup didn’t start life as a slave. Rather, he was ripped from his free life in the North and forced into Southern slavery. Published in the years leading up to the Civil War, Twelve Years a Slave provides a detailed account of his kidnapping, enslavement, and eventual escape. This book has been adapted into films, so you may want to read it with your student and then watch a movie version together.

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5. My Life in the South

Jacob Stroyer’s autobiography provides a look at the “peculiar institution” as he experienced it on a plantation in South Carolina. The book also covers Stroyer’s experiences as an enslaved person during the Civil War.

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6. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, the African

According to his popular autobiography, Equiano was born in Africa before being kidnapped into a life of slavery. He eventually purchased his freedom, moved to England, spoke out against slavery, and published this book in the late 1700s. Today, there’s some debate as to whether Equiano was actually born in Africa, but either way, this is an important work among Black autobiographies.

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7. The History of Mary Prince

While Mary Prince spent her life in Bermuda and Great Britain, rather than America, your students may still be interested in her story as they study slavery and those who spoke out against it. Her book is significant because she was the first Black woman in the United Kingdom to have her life story published.

(Audio version included with your LightSail subscription)

8. The Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave

William Wells Brown spent 20 years of his life in slavery. When he was finally able to escape, he helped others do the same by participating in the Underground Railroad. As you consider Brown’s autobiography for your young readers, keep in mind that he doesn’t mince words about the violence that enslaved people experienced at the hands of their oppressors.

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9. Twenty-two Years a Slave, Forty Years a Freeman

First published near the start of the Civil War, this book by Austin Steward tells about his time in slavery, his escape, and his life as a free individual. Your student may be intrigued to read about the connections between Steward and various well-known abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass.

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10. A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball

If your students are interested in a modern African-American autobiography, then basketball star Dwyane Wade’s book might be one to consider. A Father First focuses on his childhood, his sports career, and his experiences as a parent. Wade also has a newer photographic memoir, Dwyane.

(Available on LightSail)

11. Mo’ne Davis: Remember My Name

Many autobiographies are written with an adult audience in mind. If you’re looking specifically for African-American biographies books for kids, check out Mo’ne Davis’ memoir. The story of this young baseball player may inspire the athletes in your house. It’s written with an eight- to 12-year-old audience in mind.

(Available on LightSail)

In addition to these first-person narratives, LightSail has plenty of other African-American biographies books online, too. As you explore LightSail’s libraries, you’ll find engaging texts about scientists, athletes, musicians, community leaders, politicians, and other must-know Black figures.