Best YA Memoirs for Young Adults (2026): 5 Compared

A life lived becomes a story told, and the best ya memoirs give teens true stories that stick. We compared five books by listed reading age, grade level, page count and what each description says. Every detail below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Cat I Never Named	9.8/10	Buy
2	Almost American Girl by Ha	9.7/10	Buy
3	Elena Vanishing by Dunkle	9.7/10	Buy
4	What I Carry by Longo	9.7/10	Buy
5	I am a SEAL Team Six Warrior	9.7/10	Buy

1

The Cat I Never Named

Amra Sabic-El-Rayess·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 384-page true story of a Muslim teen surviving the Bosnian war with a stray cat.

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Pros

• 384 pages, the longest memoir here
• The listing gives a reading age of 13 to 17 years
• YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist per the listing

Cons

• Bosnian genocide and siege may need a grown-up
• No grade level is stated
• Published September 8, 2020

2

Almost American Girl by Ha

Robin Ha·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 240-page graphic memoir about a Korean teen's move to Alabama.

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Pros

• 240-page graphic memoir about immigration and belonging
• The listing gives a reading age of 13 years and up and grade level 8 to 9
• First edition dated January 28, 2020

Cons

• Award claims in the description are the publisher's, not facts
• Language barrier scenes may frustrate younger readers
• Graphic format; less prose than the others

3

Elena Vanishing by Dunkle

Elena Dunkle·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 304-page memoir about Elena's struggle with anorexia.

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Pros

• 304-page memoir told from Elena's perspective
• The listing gives a reading age of 12 to 18 years and grade level 7 to 12
• Co-written with her mother

Cons

• Anorexia subject needs care and context
• Reprint edition dated September 6, 2016
• Intimate look at a deadly disease; preview first

4

What I Carry by Longo

Jennifer Longo·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 352-page novel about Muir aging out of foster care.

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Pros

• 352 pages with a foster care hero
• The listing gives a reading age of 12 to 17 years and grade level 7 to 9
• First edition dated January 26, 2021

Cons

• Fiction, not a memoir
• Aging out of foster care is a heavy theme
• No stated awards beyond author praise

5

I am a SEAL Team Six Warrior

Howard E. Wasdin·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 208-page young readers edition of Howard Wasdin's SEAL Team Six story.

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Pros

• 208-page young readers edition of a Navy SEAL story
• The listing gives a reading age of 12 to 18 years and grade level 1 to 12
• Covers BUD/S training and Desert Storm

Cons

• Military violence and abuse themes
• Published April 24, 2012, the oldest book here
• 208 pages is the shortest book here

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More picks to compare

• Discovering Wes MooreSuits readers wanting two names, one fate, 160 pages, ages 12 to 17.Check on Amazon
• So Far from the Bamboo GroveSuits readers wanting a WWII survival story, 192 pages, ages 8 to 12.Check on Amazon
• In Limbo: A Graphic MemoirSuits readers wanting a graphic memoir, 352 pages, ages 14 to 18.Check on Amazon
• Ordinary Hazards: A MemoirSuits readers wanting a memoir in verse, 336 pages, ages 12 to 17.Check on Amazon
• Colin Kaepernick: Change the GameSuits readers wanting a graphic novel memoir, 144 pages, ages 9 and up.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a teen reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five listings give a reading age and grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best ya memoirs

True story or novel

Four are true memoirs; What I Carry is a novel about foster care. Pick the format your teen prefers. Browse history and biography books for more.

Match the age band

Reading ages run from 12 to 18 years (Elena Vanishing, SEAL) to 13 years and up (Almost American Girl). All five list a grade level.

Graphic or prose

Almost American Girl is a graphic memoir; the others are prose. Our memoirs for young men list covers more.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: the bands run from 12-18 to 13 and up.
• Compare the 208 to 384 page counts with your teen’s reading stamina.
• Several books cover war, illness or abuse; preview for sensitive readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which memoir here is longest?

The Cat I Never Named, at 384 pages.

Which memoir is a graphic novel?

Almost American Girl, by Robin Ha.

Is What I Carry a true story?

No. It is a novel about foster care.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Cat I Never Named

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Related lists

See every history and biography list and all nonfiction lists.

More lists: memoirs for young men, memoirs for young women and New York Times memoirs.