In Rookie, singer-actor Joshua Bassett pulls back the curtain on what really happens when the world watches a teenager navigate fame, addiction, and mental health struggles in real time. Written in verse with raw vulnerability, the memoir traces his journey from his darkest moments — addiction, suicidal ideation, and the crushing weight of public scrutiny — to the hard-won lessons of recovery. More than a confession, it’s a hopeful roadmap for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or wondered if things can get better, celebrating the sacred space between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming.
For as long as people have become famous, there has been a dark side to fame. We’ve all heard the stories from some of the world’s biggest musicians, actors, athletes, etc., about partying, substance abuse, money problems, violence, and more.
Like adults, child stars see it all on the set. They are also the most vulnerable celebrities, often pushed to work long hours, taken advantage of by adults both in the industry and their own relations, and subjected to a constant barrage of attention.
The recent-ish release of I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy has put the treatment and well-being of child actors back into the spotlight in a way that hasn’t been seen since Drew Barrymore released Little Girl Lost. Both memoirs discuss the strain and abuse they put their bodies through at a young age. They also dish on some juicy stories the public has always wanted to hear. (What gossip do you think Ke Huy Quan will share in his upcoming memoir Never Say Die?)
These seven memoirs by former child stars detail the highs and lows of celebrity at a young age, and how some went on to act as adults, while others walked away from the business. And they all have stories about Hollywood you won’t hear anywhere else.
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim
As Nellie Oleson, the sly daughter of the owners of the town store in Little House on the Prairie, Alison Arngrim was the character everyone loved to hate. In her memoir, she talks about what it was like to be a TV villain, as well as her West Hollywood upbringing, her famous mother (the voice of Gumby!), her friendship with Liberace, and more.
Coreyography by Corey Feldman
Corey Feldman was in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s, including Gremlins, Stand By Me, The Goonies, and The Lost Boys. He seemed like a child star who had it all, including a best friend in fellow actor Corey Haim, multiple appearances on the covers of magazines, and several high-profile relationships. But here he details his behind-the-scenes life, which included abuse and substance use, and he shares more than a few stories about who was behaving badly on the sets.
Blessed Life: My Surprising Journey of Joy, Tears, and Tales From Harlem to Hollywood by Kim Fields with Todd Gold
Like a lot of former child stars, Kim Fields is best known for one starring role from her childhood. In her case, it’s Tootie, the gossipy youngest child at Eastland Academy on The Facts of Life. Just nine when she started on the show, Fields learned the ins and outs of the business, and explains how she made a conscious choice to turn to faith as a teenager to help her stay away from some of the pitfalls of fame.
You Look Like That Girl: A Child Actor Stops Pretending and Finally Grows Up by Lisa Jakub
As a child actor, Lisa Jakub had a career most adult actors could only dream about. She appeared in over forty TV shows and movies, including Independence Day and Mrs. Doubtfire, she met Princess Diana, she bought her own house at the age of fifteen. But along with the celebrity came a lot of stress and anxiety. In this thoughtful memoir, she shares stories of that time (including when she was almost kidnapped) as well as her reasons for leaving the business to escape being another former child star tragedy story.
Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up by Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera is probably best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the hit musical show Glee, but she was actually working as an actress at a very young age. Her mother was a model, and through the same talent agent, Rivera received roles early, most significantly on the sitcom The Royal Family at age four, where she witnessed the death of its star, Redd Foxx, on set. In this memoir-slash-inspirational book, she details how to deal with the highs and lows of fame, making mistakes and getting through them, and how to apply this knowledge to everyday life. (Sadly, Rivera died in an accident in 2020.)
Growing Up Urkel by Jaleel White
One of the most instantly recognizable and memorable characters to ever come out of sitcomland is the nerdy Steve Urkel from the 1990s show Family Matters. With his giant glasses, funny voice, suspenders, and “Did I do that?” catchphrase, Urkel became the runaway star of the show. In Growing Up Urkel, White describes what life was like while he was Urkel, the things he observed in his nine years on the set, and the difficulties of getting other work when he was so famously known for one specific role.
Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame by Mara Wilson
And finally, another great read by a former child star who decided to step away from the spotlight. From a young age, Mara Wilson appeared in some huge movies and TV shows, including Melrose Place, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Matilda. But being a famous child actor came with some weird situations, which she recounts here (including being asked about the Hugh Grant sex scandal when she was only eight years old!) She also shares on-set stories and talks about what it felt like to be told she wasn’t cute enough for Hollywood anymore, and why she decided to walk away from acting.
For more great celebrity tell-all books, be sure to check out Must-Read Celebrity Memoirs of 2026 and Spilling the Celebri-tea.
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