I will admit that I am not as familiar with juvenile non-fiction as I am with fiction titles. I always have a few students who prefer to read biographies or history books, so I am trying to expand my non-fiction knowledge. I have put together a starter list and am hoping to build it this year. Please let me know what else I can include.
Just a reminder, non-fiction is usually more difficult for children to read than fiction. If your child is reading for pleasure, definitely choose books that are below his/her reading level to keep the comprehension (and enjoyment) high.
While the majority of the titles are intended for a “school aged” audience, there are many that adults will love. I had a father and son read Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World this past school year and both raved about the story.
Biographies: Older Readers– 4th grade through high school
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
A Schoolteacher in Old Alaska: the Story of Hannah Breece by Jane Jacobs
Autobiographies: Older Readers– 4th grade through high school
Chapters: My Growth as a Writer by Lois Duncan (out of print, copies available through Amazon)
Boy by Roald Dahl
A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary
My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen
History: Older Readers– 4th grade through high school
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker
Series: Younger Readers– 1st grade through 6th grade (** I included titles that are familiar to me from each of the series, but there are many more from which to choose.)
