Blogging A to Z: Nonfiction

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that I talk about nonfiction fairly regularly. I love the types of nonfiction books that are being published in the past decade or so. When I was growing up, nonfiction titles were text-heavy, with pen sketches. These books weren’t exciting to read and were more of a snooze than anything else.

Now, nonfiction titles are bright, attractive, and really accessible for kids. They focus on sharing primary resources and include lots of charts and graphs, glossaries, and indices. Newer nonfiction titles have great sidebars filled with information and more than anything they’re exciting to read! You can find nonfiction in a graphic novel, encyclopedia, or even in a narrative format as well. Not sure what the difference is, let me explain!

Nonfiction Categories

I really love how Melissa Stewart has categorized nonfiction books for kids into five different areas. This makes a lot of sense but isn’t necessarily a “common” way to explain nonfiction. So, if you’re looking for a specific category and asking a librarian or bookseller, be prepared to explain what you’re looking for!

1. Traditional – these books provide a general overview of a topic.
2. Browsable – these are books like the Guinness Book of World Records or the DK Eyewitness books that give readers small pieces of information about a larger topic. They can typically be opened to any page and you can just jump right in.
3. Narrative – “prose that tells a true story or conveys an experience.” These books read similarly to fiction, so they might be more engaging that a traditional nonfiction title.
4. Expository literature – “present narrowly focused topics, such as STEM concepts and processes, in creative ways that reflect the author’s passion for the subject. These books typically feature an innovative format and carefully chosen text structure, a strong voice, and rich, engaging language.”
5. Active nonfiction – books that are either highly interactive or teach you something – crafts, videogames, etc.

Where to Start

If you’re looking for some suggestions to get started, I spent a number of weeks back in 2019 sharing some amazing nonfiction titles. Take a look at any of these lists for great nonfiction titles that might hook your reluctant reader.

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Picture Book Biographies
• Easy Readers
• Middle Grade
• Young Adult
• Encyclopedias
• Poetry
• Graphic Novels
• Sibert Award Winners

For the month of April, I’ll be sharing tips for reaching reluctant readers as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. There are dozens of reasons why a child might be considered a “reluctant reader.” As summer nears, continued reading practice helps students to keep the reading skills they learned while reading for fun. But, that’s not easy when a child doesn’t want to sit down and read. I’ll be sharing 26 tips to meet reluctant readers where they are. And hopefully find a way to make reading bearable, if not even something they want to do!