Non-fiction | Page 7 of 7

Great Battles for Boys, fabulous non-fiction for ages 8 and up

But what about girls?, I can hear that being asked now. I’m casting a wide net that’ll describe a majority of boys, but not all boys. I’ll cast the same wide net and say that a series of emerging reader books on unicorns or kittens will be a big hit with girl readers in second grade. Whenever I teach ELA and I have to attribute one trait to a group there are always a couple who will say, “But, I….”, and yes, you might be the exception to that. Great Battles for Boys is a series of books that hits the reluctant reader boy on the head in an enjoyable and historical way.

Great Battles For Boys is a series of non-fiction books that are concisely written in a way that elementary school readers will immediately be attracted to.

Boys, girls, non-fiction or kidlit fans unite

Do You Know Rocket Science?, go-to, fun STEM for pre-k

From its title, Do You Know Rocket Science? could be confused with something from the What Is or Who Was from the Who HQ authored series of books. While that series is awesome, they’re for older readers, which is somewhat ironic given the subject matter of rocket science. Instead, Do You Know Rocket Science? is actually a book about rocket science, that’s presented on a level that pre-k through first, as well as, their parents, will understand and enjoy. It’s from Chris Ferrie, an author who we’ve written about on a couple of occasions that has a knack for turning science and STEM into something that kids want to know about.

Do You Know Rocket Science? is a Level 1 book for beginning readers that sets up a potentially complex idea in a manner that ages four through six will enjoy.

It’s OK if you and the young reader learn this together

Moving Forward, non-fiction illustrated that’s uncomfortable and inspiring

Illustrated books have the capacity to move us emotionally, in addition to making us think. Non-fiction illustrated books are capable of doing that but have the added burden of being a true story. Personally, I think that’s because some students heard that illustrated books were meant exclusively for silly stories about growing up or softly teaching morals. Moving Forward is an illustrated book that does all of those things, except for the silly stories part. Instead of that, it uses action, speed, and adventure that’ll help bring in elementary-aged readers.

Moving Forward is a non-fiction illustrated book that blends, adventure, family, rage, justice and the passage of time into something that fifth-grade students can learn from.

History happened, have kids read about it

Dazzlin’ Dolly, as empowering and entertaining as illustrated books can be

Have you seen the Whitney Houston clip where she was recounting how Kevin Costner sole her on the idea of re-recording I Will Always Love You? Apparently, he really enjoyed country music and had presented the 1974 original song from Dolly Parton to Houston as an option for the movie that the two of them were making. The rest is history. Houston had the biggest song of her career and the first cultural renaissance of Dolly Parton had begun, not that she ever went anywhere. Dazzlin’ Dolly is an illustrated book that provides elementary school audiences with a great overview of her early life.

Dazzlin’ Dolly is an illustrated book looking at the early life of one of pop culture’s most generous and endearing influences, Dolly Parton.

The childhood and tribulations of her early years

We The People!, a graphic novel smart enough to be simple

Prior to reading We The People! I had no idea about the woman who was the first Second Lady and the second First Lady. Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, the first Vice President and second President of the United States. Abigail Adams is also the narrator in Big Ideas That Changed The World, We The People! The Big Ideas That Changed The World graphic novel series is from Don Brown and absolutely nails the intersection of education and entertainment down to the floor. We The People! gives people a deep, yet entirely accessible, dive into American democracy and how it came to be.

We The People! is a non-fiction graphic novel from the Big Idea series that makes the complex topic of democracy interesting and approachable.

Fun and education need not be separate

The Replay: 25 Greatest Moments in Sports, worldwide appeal play

There is a sport that no elementary school-aged kid likes. There is a sport that the vast majority of elementary school children like. There’s a sport somewhere that’s the official sport of a county or their national pastime. Some of these sports get more of the spotlight when the Olympics roll around, some have seasonal happenings and some of them have produced iconic images that folks around the globe will recognize. The Replay: 25 Greatest Moments in Sports is an illustrated book that looks at 25 specific instances in sports competitions that today’s elementary school students probably won’t know.

The Replay: 25 Greatest Moments in Sports is a global look at historic moments in modern competition that ages 7 and up will dig.

The more you know, the motivating sports version for ages 7 up