Must-Read Science Nonfiction for Kids

As I’ve mentioned in the past, there are kids (and adults!) who will always prefer to read nonfiction over fiction. They like to learn new things, read about things they love, and just want to read fact over fiction. And guess what? That’s awesome! Reading is a great way to learn something new, especially about something you love! Today’s list is a broad topic, but one that allows me to throw a little bit of everything at you.

Books on today’s list range from astronomy to anatomy, earth science to inventors, and beyond. While some of these titles might be perfect for your reader in terms of reading level, maturity, and interest, there may be others that don’t work so well. Don’t forget to visit your local library for suggestions, they can help you find the nonfiction titles that are the best choices for your reader. Check back next week for more great nonfiction suggestions – all about animals!

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Must-Read Science Nonfiction for Kids

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon and Katherine Tillotson

Faucet
well
raincloud
sea …

from each of these
comes water.

But where does
Water go?

To find out, honey,
turn the page,
dive in
with tongue
or toes,
with eyes and ears and nose—
and wonder
at the flow
of this great world’s
life story.

Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson with Gregory Mone

From the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time, celebrated astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down the mysteries of the cosmos into bite-sized pieces. Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry describes the fundamental rules and unknowns of our universe clearly―and with Tyson’s characteristic wit, there’s a lot of fun thrown in, too.

The Brain Book by Liam Drew

The brain – a wrinkly, spongy mass the size of a cauliflower that sits in our heads and controls everything we do! Discover what it’s made of, how it works, and why we even need one in this fun, fact-packed introduction to the brain.

Inside the pages of this STEM book for kids, budding young scientists will discover:

• An age-appropriate introduction to the brain, what it is, what it does, how it works, and how it evolved
• All about how scientists study the brain and nervous system
• Introduces concepts like how we think, what consciousness is, and how the brains of other animals are different
• Encourages young readers to develop an interest in STEAM fields – including biology, medicine, and science
• Each page is filled with engaging photographs and artworks with easy to understand text

The Body Book by Hannah Alice

What’s going on inside our bodies? How do we move, eat, think, and breathe? Children will love looking inside the human body to discover the answers with this incredible interactive book. With labeled acetate diagrams of the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory, and nervous systems, this is a fantastic first look at human anatomy. From pumping blood to breathing air, The Body Book is an exciting way to explore all the amazing things our body can do.

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina’s monstrous winds and surging water overwhelmed the protective levees around low-lying New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighty percent of the city flooded, in some places under twenty feet of water. Property damages across the Gulf Coast topped $100 billion. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three people lost their lives. The riveting tale of this historic storm and the drowning of an American city is one of selflessness, heroism, and courage—and also of incompetence, racism, and criminality.

Everything Awesome About Space and Other Galactic Facts! by Mike Lowery

Did you know that the surface of the sun is hot enough to make diamonds boil? Or that one year on Neptune is 165 Earth years? Or that space is thought to smell like… burnt steak?? Find out all this and more, in this comprehensive, hilarious outer space adventure from Mike Lowery!

Perfect for fans of Dog Man who love nonfiction, this is the definitive, go-to book about everything AWESOME you EVER wanted to know about all things outer space Uncover a wealth of weird, wacky, and wild facts about our universe, from planets to supernovas to space travel and everything in-between, told in Mike Lowery’s signature, acclaimed comic style with bright and energetic artwork, fresh framing devices, and hilarious jokes. This is the go-to book for space enthusiasts that kids will put in their backpacks and obsess over, bridging the gap between encyclopedic nonfiction content and lighter picture book fare, filling the need with a one-stop shop for the legions of 7-10 year olds who want to know absolutely everything there is to know about space.

Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Kathy Furgang

National Geographic Kids Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes explodes with incredible photos and amazing facts about the awesome powers of nature. You’ll find out that three-quarters of Earth’s volcanoes are underwater, that an earthquake in Chile shortened the day by 1.26 milliseconds, and much more. Bursting with fascinating information about the biggest volcanic eruptions and earth-shattering earthquakes, this book takes a fun approach to science, introducing kids to plate tectonics and the tumultuous forces brewing beneath the Earth’s surface. Filled with fabulous photos and peppered with great facts, this is a must-have for all young nature lovers, sure to satisfy kids’ curiosity about natural disasters and the powers of nature.

Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks

Welcome to the Human Body Theater, where your master of ceremonies is going to lead you through a theatrical revue of each and every biological system of the human body! Starting out as a skeleton, the MC puts on a new layer of her costume (her body) with each “act.” By turns goofy and intensely informative, the Human Body Theater is always accessible and always entertaining.

Maris Wicks is a biology nerd, and by the time you’ve read this book, you will be too! Harnessing her passion for science (and her background as a science educator for elementary and middle-school students), she has created a comics-format introduction to the human body that will make an expert of any reader — young or old!

I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton

Think rocks are boring? Hard to like? Kinda just sit there, doing nothing?
Why even write a whole book about them??

Bethany Barton will tell you why . . . because we wouldn’t be here if there were no rocks!

From the Grand Canyon to volcanos to diamonds and fossils, geology–the study of rocks–shows us where we’ve been and where we’re going. With tons of humor and scores of fascinating facts, Bethany Barton introduces younger readers to geology and why rocks matter . . . enough to write a whole book about them!

Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin

Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain?

Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings, this extraordinary book by Award-winning author and artist Jason Chin is an epic saga of the life of an island―born of fire, rising to greatness, its decline, and finally the emergence of life on new islands. Chin’s approach makes this book a must-have common core tool for teachers and librarians introducing scientific principals to young students.

The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch

On June 10, 2003, a little rover named Spirit blasted off on a rocket headed for Mars. A month later, a twin rover named Opportunity soared through the solar system with the same mission: to find out if Mars ever had water that could have supported life. They were expected to last no more than three months on the frigid, harsh planet. Instead, they explored the red planet for years.

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel by Kathryn Gibbs Davis, illustrated by Gilbert Ford

Capturing an engineer’s creative vision and mind for detail, this fully illustrated picture book biography sheds light on how the American inventor George Ferris defied gravity and seemingly impossible odds to invent the world’s most iconic amusement park attraction, the Ferris wheel.

Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Meet Sun: He’s a star! And not just any star―he’s one in a billion. He lights up our solar system and makes life possible. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Sun in this next celestial “autobiography.” Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully illustrated, Sun! One in a Billion is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years.

Truth or Lie: Inventors! by Erica S. Perl

The computer mouse was invented by Steve Jobs, right? That’s a LIE! The TRUTH is, it was invented by a man you’ve probably never heard of named Doug Englebart!! Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique Q&A format, proficient readers are quizzed about inventions and their inventors to see if they can separate facts from “lies.” The book’s mascot–the Truth Sleuth–guides readers through this funny and fact-packed book, which features photos and illustrations of a wide variety of inventions–from the printing press to velcro to a light-up soccer ball.

Unseen Worlds: Real-Life Microscopic Creatures Hiding All Around Us by Hélène Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt

Unfold each page to reveal stunningly detailed illustrations bursting with jelly-like amoebae, predatory centipedes, ravenous mosquitos and more mites than you could imagine. From the murky ocean depths to your kitchen cupboard and even inside your nose, you’ll travel to locations both familiar and strange as you search for the smallest creatures on Planet Earth. You’ll never see the world the same way again!

When Planet Earth Was New: A Short History of Our Planet’s Long Journey by James Gladstone and Katherine Diemert

It has taken billions of years for Earth to become the planet it is today. When Planet Earth Was New looks back to the very beginning, using a poetic approach grounded in scientific fact to give an overview of how the planet has changed over time: from hot lava to the formation of oceans to the evolution of living things in water and on land. The book also includes the relatively recent evolution of humans―who are just a tiny speck in the sweep of Earth’s history.