Autobiographies of People from Marginalized Communities

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of Junior, a Spokane Indian teenager, and his experiences on the reservation and at an all-white high school.

Maya Angelou's autobiography, (I \ Know \ Why \ the \ Caged \ Bird \ Sings), describes her experiences growing up in Stamps, Arkansas, during the 1930s and 1940s.

The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston is an autobiographical novel that tells the story of a young Chinese American woman's immigration to America and her struggles to assimilate into American culture.

Malcolm X's autobiography, (The \ Autobiography \ of \ Malcolm \ X), describes his experiences as a member of the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist and separatist organization.

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is a graphic memoir that tells the story of Bechdel's coming-of-age as a lesbian in a small town in Pennsylvania.

Anne Fadiman's (The \ Spirit \ Catches \ You \ and \ You \ Fall \ Down) is a nonfiction book that tells the story of a Hmong family's immigration to America and their struggles to adapt to American culture.

Redefining Realness by Janet Mock is an autobiography that tells the story of Mock's transition from male to female.

Barack Obama's autobiography, (Dreams \ from \ My \ Father), describes his experiences growing up in Indonesia, where his mother was born.

Deaf Like Me by Harvey Fierstein is an autobiography that tells the story of Fierstein's experiences growing up in a hearing world.

Jeannette Walls' (The \ Glass \ Castle) is an autobiography that tells the story of her experiences growing up in a nomadic family that lived in poverty.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is an autobiography that tells the story of a young Latina woman's coming-of-age in a working-class neighborhood in Chicago.

Forrest Carter's (The \ Education \ of \ Little \ Tree) is a fictional novel that is not an autobiography.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an autobiography that tells the story of a young Nigerian woman's experiences growing up in a Muslim family in America.

Alice Walker's (The \ Color \ Purple) is an autobiography that tells the story of a young black woman's experiences in the rural South during the early 20th century.