Autobiographies??

[skischoolhelp]

My 9 year old ds is not keen on reading however to my surprise he really enjoyed Roald Dahls autobiography. Any suggestions of other autobiographies that might appeal to him as it seems to be a genre that may suit him better than fiction. Thanks

The obvious one, that deals with the author’s childhood, and from a similar period, is My Family & Other Animals - which I have definitely recommended on here before.

I have recently read it aloud to my boy (who’s a bit younger) who found it fascinating and hilarious in equal measure. The language (mostly from Gerry’s older brothers) gets a bit ripe at times, but nothing a 9 year old will be particularly shocked by. If he likes it there’s a couple of sequels that make up the ‘Corfu Trilogy’, as well as many books about Durrell’s collecting trips as an adult (the Cameroonian ones are my favourites).

At that age I was also reading the James Herriot books at school - again they have a strong element of farce. Not sure how well they will have dated, though.

Great idea. I will definitely try Gerald Durrell. I remember enjoying it. I had presumed it was for older but he really enjoyed Roald Dahl which seemed to me to be for older. He has an advanced emotional intelligence but doesn't enjoy reading fiction and doesn't relate to the content of many books aimed for his age.

Any other ideas?

Jacqueline wilson wrote a biography for children and it was brilliant. Google the name as i have forgotten.

Sorry i meant i will google! It was jacky daydream about her childhood and how she wanted to be a writer.

Bill Bryson is another possibility. I loved his travel writing when I was a young teenager, but The Life & Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid (his childhood memoir) and A Short History Of Nearly Everything (basically what is says on the tin!) might be worth a go, either now or in a couple of years.

I guess otherwise it would depend on what he’s into - I’ve enjoyed First Light and Wings On My Sleeve recently, and they might appeal to a tween who was into aviation or military history. The biog section in branch libraries tend to be quite well stocked, particularly with showbiz and sporting personalities, which would be a good way to avoid spending your hardearned on something that’s inaccessible or that he’ll find dull.

Some good ideas here. Our local libraries didn't have anything. I don't buy the books just order them into the library but I need suggestions to know what to order as the libraries had no idea. He is not into following sport/music so not wanting footballer or pop star type things. He seemed to enjoy the history aspect of Roald Dahl and also seeing how his childhood influenced his novels as he had read all of his works. Travel related is a good idea as he has enjoyed some Michael Morpurgo that had travel I think.

This is the junior version of Bear Grylls' book www.waterstones.com/book/mud-sweat-and-tears-junior-edition/bear-grylls/9780552566391
The Boy Who Biked the World www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Biked-World-Africa/dp/1903070759?tag=mumsnetforum-21 is a three-part series
A Boy called Mouse www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Called-MOUSE-Penny-Dolan/dp/140880137X/ref=pd_sim_14_13?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=4ZB03NAXXDD3HQSJ0RGF This is fiction but written in 1st person and a good read for 9 year olds

The Little House on the Praire books although written in novelistic form tell the story of LIW childhood, there's loads of stuff on the internet showing photos of where they lived, the songs Pa sang etc. My DDs loved them as did my nephews. A farmer's boy is the story of LIW's husband's childhood and might be a good one to get him started on if he doesn't want to read about girls.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is also a fictionalised account of Judith Kerr's escape from the Nazis. My kids do a lot at school about the Syrian refuges so it leads into that really well.

Great ideas, thank you. Little house on the prairie was one of my favourite books but I had discounted due to girls but had forgotten about the Farmers boy. That is a good suggestion to try that first. My copies are still in the loft. Ricekrispie - good suggestions too - not sure if he has tried any of them at school but we have not done so at home.