PROFESSIONAL READING

A Literature of Questions: Nonfiction for the Critical Child

by Joe Sutliff SANDERS
264p. bibliog. index. notes. photos. Univ. of Minnesota. Jan. 2018. pap. $25. ISBN 9781517903015.
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This strong work supports Sanders's view that students are capable of understanding and benefiting from nuanced nonfiction that encourages dialogue with the text. He discusses many contemporary and older works of nonfiction to show how they do or do not engage readers, promote imagination and curiosity, and encourage readers to form their own conclusions. Sanders examines literary devices such as voice, characterization, empathy, and sentiment. The author also lists many examples of peritexts and demonstrates how they potentially enhance children's understanding. Extensive chapter notes and the bibliography attest to Sanders's thorough research.
VERDICT A welcome addition for school librarians eager to provide upper elementary, middle, or high school students with tools for evaluating the intricacies of nonfiction.
Reviewed by Jackie Gropman, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, VA , Jul 01, 2018

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