Non-Fiction for Young Readers

I'm a HUGE fan of non-fiction for young readers. In fact, as an adult I often start with a Middle Grade non-fiction before moving on to the more complex adult books on any new subject. 

I find NF for young readers has better timelines, cuts clutter, and more clearly highlights major points and important info. 

This New York Times article discusses the idea of non-fiction for the young, and lists some interesting titles. 

For some young readers, particularly boys, NF is the only way to go. Forcing someone to read Anne of Green Gables when he or she would rather read a harrowing but true account of the Donner Party is a violation of one of the Five Laws of Library Science: "Every reader his or her book." 

Let young readers pursue their interests! There's a wealth of knowledge and books written just for them. 

Difficult Topics Done Well

Lowry, Lois. Number The Stars. HMH Books for Young Readers; Reissue edition May 2, 2011 (originally published 1989). ISBN 0547577095

Bauer, Marion Dane. On My Honor. Yearling, 1987. ISBN 0440466334
 
Yes, yes. I know. Anything 5 to 10 years old is typically not going to catch the attention of a tween. I've been told this by seasoned children's librarians, and know that newer, more relevant chapter books should replace outdated ones frequently. 

Unless, of course, the book is so stellar and well-written it should not be ignored. And this is especially true if the topic and content of the book transcend the changing fads of the decade. 

What I absolutely love about both of these titles is the author's ability to truly tell the story from a middle grade point of view. I felt their fear in a way that reminded me of being that age. I could completely understand the decision making process, and even the distractions that masked the "bigger picture" that only an adult could truly grasp. 

And both of these books are excellent introductions for their prospective topics. 

Number The Stars is a title I would recommend to a young reader who is first coming to learn about and grapple with historical genocide and Nazi Germany. It's not overly political, and neither is it gory or overly depressing. The story simply takes the reader and drops them into the shoes of an average middle-grade girl living in Nazi-occupied Denmark. She's simply trying to go about the business of living while noticing changes in her society, worry on her parents' faces, and sensing that secrets abound. 

Soon, her best friend (who is a Jew) comes to live with her and assume the role of her sister. Annemarie understands that something important is at stake, and yet does not grasp the full gravity of the situation until the climax of the story. Ideals of an ultimate sacrifice - giving one's life for another - are demonstrated through minor characters. This does not lessen the impact or realism of the tragedy, but instead realistically tells it in a way a young reader could more easily handle. 

And it was not all dreary. It had beautiful moments, fun moments, and a heartwarming description of the bonds of family that extend beyond blood relation. 

On My Honor is an exploration of traumatic accidental death, as experienced by a middle grade boy. 

This book is heavy, and it doesn't offer clear answers or a happy ending. 

But it can explain to a young reader (or an old one) the cataclysmic wave of emotions and thought processes that one goes through in such a circumstance. 

Shock, fear, regret, anger, and finally acceptance played out across this small volume in about a 24 hour period. There are no gory details. The friend is there and then simply isn't. 

But the emotions are real, and the characters are genuine. A young reader will be left with a lot of questions that will spark an introspective examination of their own feelings and gut reactions. It may even help cultivate empathy. 

These are books that should be read and discussed. If you are a religious person, it will open the doors for deeper conversations about free will, accidents, life, choices, and sacrifice that you could coincide with belief and scripture. 

If you are not religious, the questions of faith (the Jews under Nazi Germany) and the afterlife (a boy asking his father if there is a heaven) will be raised. This will be an excellent opportunity for discussions about tolerance, empathy, and facing the unknown and seeking answers. 

I highly recommend both of these reads!

 

Crosetto, Alice and Rajinder, Garcha. Death, Loss, and Grief in Literature for Youth: A Selective Annotated Bibliography for K-12. Scarecrow Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780810885615

This is an excellent resource for any librarian, teacher, parent, or youth worker. Stories and literature are a reflection of the human heart and soul. Our aspirations, pains, and joys can all be played out before our eyes in the form of a fictional character. By seeing this from a distance, we can connect, think, and reflect. 

But this title does not only survey fiction. Nonfiction, online resources, and other media are also explored. 

Broken into sections covering topics such as "Death of a Family Member", "Death of a Classmate or Teacher", or "Non-Fiction", detailed annotated bibliographies of books covering said topic are presented.

I was pleased to see some of the books I have read listed in the bibliography, as well as the fact that the books chosen included both classics and recent titles.

Another helpful feature was the appendixes. There were several of them, arranged to cover such topics as award winners, by author, etc.   

If you are a parent or work with youth, you will not be sorry you added this title to your collection. It can lead you down a literary path that will spark discussion, address questions, and perhaps foster healing when in conjunction with guidance from a caring adult.  

101 (Plus) Read - Alouds

There is an interesting blurring when it comes to the audience of a middle grade book. Initially, one would think a book like Chronicles of Narnia or A Wrinkle In Time would be appropriate for eight and up (roughly). 

However, many GREAT middle grade classics also make excellent read aloud books for kids! 

One of my first literary memories are of sitting outside and hearing my mother read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and of lying in bed as she tucked me in with a chapter from The Mouse and the Motorcycle. 

At the time, these books were above my reading level. But that does not mean I wouldn't enjoy listening to them as a child, reading them as a middle grade, and then rediscovering them as an adult. 

Here is a list of 101+ read aloud books that a mother compiled, and I am happy to say nearly all of them are titles I would recommend as well.

http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2012/05/read-aloud.html