"Maus I: A Survivor's Tale" by Art Spiegelman

Art Spiegelman interviews his dad, Vladek, to try to piece together his father's experiences with the Holocaust during World War II. Vladek recalls how he and his wife were constantly either on the run, or in hiding, in order to avoid getting arrested by the Germans for being Jewish. Many Jews were sent to concentration camps, and few managed to escape the horrors of these camps, and were murdered while in captivity. Spiegelman illustrates his father's past, alongside his modern existence in New York State. The Nazis are drawn as cats, and the Jews mice. This story captures the tragedy of the Holocaust, not only for the survivors, but also for the families of those who experienced the terror of war. Spiegelman won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for this masterpiece.

"Grayson" by Lynne Cox

Lynne Cox is a long distance swimmer. She's swam both the English and Catalina Channels and wrote an fascinating account of cold water adventures in her book, "Swimming to Antarctica." When Lynne was 17, she was doing a training swim off the coast of Seal Beach, California. She was wrapping up her workout when she discovered she was accompanied by something large and dark swimming beneath her. Terrified by the thought of sharks, she immediately headed for shore. Moments later, she realized it wasn't a shark at all, but a baby gray whale, who had lost its mother and was floundering around lost. Lynne spent the morning with the baby whale, hoping to reunite him with its mother. This is a touching story about the relationship between humans and animals and a must read for all marine mammal fans.

"Facing the Lion-Growing Up Masai on the African Savanna" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton

Have you ever been face to face with a lion, scared he's going to eat you for dinner??

This is the true story of Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton who grew up as a Masai warrior in northern Kenya. His tribe is nomadic, which means they move their houses to where the food is plentiful. Growing up in Kenya is totally different than growing up in the United States. Joseph's family lives in a hut made of sticks and cow dung, and they survive on a diet based on cow milk. Cows are very sacred to the Masai and they depend on them for everything. Lions like to eat cows, and it's up to the Masai warriors to protect their friends, family and cattle from lion attacks.

"During the middle of the night, I woke to this huge sound - like rain, but not really like rain. I looked up. The starlight was gone, clouds were everywhere, and there was a light drizzle falling. But that wasn't the sound. The sound was of all the cows starting to pee. All of them, in every direction. And that is the sign of a lion. A hyena doesn't make them do that. An elephant doesn't make them do that. A person doesn't. Only the lion. We knew right away that a lion was about to attack us."

I was able to visit a Masai village when I went on safari in Africa last year. I like learning about their culture and was so excited to find this book. It also totally counts as a biography if you need to read one for school. Other people's lives are fascinating!

"Three Little Words - A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Ashley's mother is declared unfit for parenting, and Ashley and her younger brother Luke are taken into state custody for their own protection. Over a period of 9 years, Ashley lives in 14 different foster homes, including one so abusive it made national headlines. All Ashley wants is to be loved and wanted by a family. After finally being adopted by the Courters, Ashley must find her place and identity in a new family and learn to trust those around her. A wonderful story of overcoming hardship and tackling adversity. If you liked "A Child Called It," by Dave Pelzer, this book is for you!