Looking for memoirs/my most unforgettable character pieces

[Dee Baer <dbaer@odin.english.udel.edu>]

In my freshman comp class--centered around the theme of "family," my 
students will be writing a short paper profiling someone who's been 
important in their lives--a grandparent, a teacher, a friend's mother, a 
coach, to name a few.   

We've been dipping in and out of Calvin Trillin's Messages from my Father 
all semester, as well as reading a few short pieces that are closer to 
what I want them to write.   


I'm looking for a few additional examples (3-5 pages) that might serve as 
models for any students who ask.  I'm personally writing one about my 
father (who quit junior high school to race motorcyles!) and am sharing 
it with them, but I'd like them to see a larger slice of the genre.

Any suggestions?   Any one have a  web page of student examples of this 
type of writing?

Thank for any help you can give--off list is fine.