My Story is a long-running collection of historical-fiction books published by Scholastic UK that present key events of the past through the imagined diaries of young people. Each volume places a fictional narrator—often a child or teenager—at the centre of a well-known episode in history, allowing readers to experience everyday life, fears and hopes alongside major developments.
Characteristics and format
The series is notable for its first-person diary voice, dated entries, and emphasis on personal detail. Many volumes include contextual material such as maps, timelines, glossaries and author notes to help readers separate fact from fiction. Typical protagonists are school-aged, which helps the books appeal to middle-grade and lower-secondary readers. For more information about the publisher's presentation, see the series overview.
Origins and development
Scholastic UK released the My Story books over a period of years as part of its educational and children’s fiction catalogue. Different authors contributed individual titles, each choosing a specific place and period to dramatise. The series gradually expanded to cover a wide range of periods and settings, from local and social history to national crises. A catalogue of contributors and titles can be consulted via a publisher or bookseller listing such as author and title list.
Educational uses and audience
Teachers and librarians often use My Story novels to support history lessons, reading groups and creative-writing prompts. The diary form helps students explore perspective, voice and chronology while learning about historical context. Classroom resources and teaching guides related to historical fiction are available through educational resource pages like teaching materials.
Examples and distinctions
Although each book is fictional, the events, settings and many background details are grounded in real history; authors usually add notes to indicate where they have compressed or invented material. The series is comparable in approach to other historical-diary collections aimed at young readers, but its selection of British and international episodes gives it particular relevance in UK classrooms. Sample excerpts and publisher blurbs can be viewed at entries such as sample excerpt and publisher information.
My Story remains a popular choice for introducing young readers to the past: its combination of personal narrative and factual afterwords makes complex history accessible and engaging while encouraging empathy and historical thinking.