Today's list is of new and forthcoming nonfiction.
Offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of Olympic athletes, these books encourage readers to believe that their own bodies and minds can achieve amazing things.
These books help support positive discussions with students about the climate crisis.
Put this in the hands of young activists and any middle school students interested in bringing about change.
An accessible introduction to environmental activism for younger readers, introducing them to a woman who deserves to be remembered for her life’s work.
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
Author Deborah Hopkinson discusses what she calls the neglected guest at the party - middle grade nonfiction!
In an interview with SLJ, Dan Bova, author of The HISTORY Channel This Day in History For Kids shares details about creating the book, along with his favorite fact in the volume and why he wears a football helmet while binge-watching Netflix.
Feminism receives barely a mention in most curricula. These titles for upper elementary to high school students delve deeper into the knowledge gaps and feature a diverse, international representation of women from the past and present who have made a mark on history.
Multiple avenues for enjoying the sounds young children make in books and in real life. Recommended.
Connects children to other young creatures; this is a wonderful addition to the “Say Hello! Baby Animals” series.
Interestingly shaped pages and engaging illustrations will delight. Recommended
Visually compelling, the subject matter might not be to everyone’s taste but a fun read nonetheless. Recommended.
Purchase this for all collections serving teens.
A fascinating and grounded look at technology and the need for human intelligence even as artificial intelligence grows smarter.
Though less valuable for research, this book should appeal to readers interested in or curious about the outdoors and could lead to deeper engagement or activism. Recommended for most libraries serving elementary students.
A recommended purchase for teen memoir collections because of the powerful writing and storytelling.
Purchase for all American history, biography, and ethnic studies collections.
Those with a love of language and women’s studies will devour this book.
This book serves as a beacon for teenagers seeking an introduction to the art of poetry and is also a profound insight into the complexities of life.
Fascinating and beautiful with a call to help save threatened species. Highly recommended.
Children will thoroughly enjoy diving in and learning all about the diversity of our largest body of water.
A lovely introduction to the concept of community.
Interactive text will have young vehicle enthusiasts coming back for repeated readings.
A treat for the eyes and perfect for young naturalists. Highly recommended.
A solid nonfiction title about managing day-to-day separation from parents/guardians that would benefit young children and their caregivers.
A fun new addition for all collections.
With its playful seek-and-find illustrations and fascinating facts, this saltwater standout will have librarians, parents, and mini marine biologists hooked. An excellent work of narrative nonfiction for young readers.
Recommended for curious preschoolers and even early elementary children, for any collection that answers questions about what makes up families.
A lively picture book biography with tie-ins to Earth Day and Women’s History Month. Highly recommended.
A compelling but additional purchase, unless inspirational material is needed about fulfilling childhood dreams.
An easy-to-read concept book that is great for various ages and interest levels, and a welcome addition for all libraries.
This is both a niche book and a browser’s delight, and sure to please researchers and casual onlookers in equal measure.
While its setting is in North America, this is a valuable resource, especially for libraries supporting water conservation and sustainability curriculum units. A stunning addition to all collections.
A solid nonfiction historical read, with short but impactful stories of women fighting for civil rights.
The challenges of this topic are invisible; Fong is thoughtful in the material included but lighthearted in its rendering, and young readers will find much to consider in this “Think” series entry.
An absolutely vital purchase for libraries that want to inspire and inform kids about their power to make a difference.
Gibeault crafts a fun, quirky book about dogs and their many abilities; great for animal lovers, young and old.
Smart rhyming clues and visually arresting illustrations set this apart from many art-inspired board books.
A well-presented introduction to color and art.
Visually appealing with cool facts to extend the learning.
Perfect engineering meets engaging content
A must-purchase for libraries; children will delight in learning about the “voice of nature.”
Who runs the world? Girls! March is Women's History Month. Share these diverse stories of brave, fierce, powerful women of the past and present with tweens to inspire them throughout the year.
Eye-catching and inspiring, this book could launch shared creative sessions as well as word lessons. Recommended.
Effective and delightful, this should be part of every preschool story-hour kit.
A very enjoyable introduction to these playful creature, this title is recommended especially due to the superb quality of the photographs.
This open and tender memoir would be a good addition to collections where memoirs and new adult titles are popular.
An additional selection where animal books are in high demand.
Visually appealing and full of vibrant sea creatures, this is a winner. Recommended.
Little hands will be drawn to the cactus and enjoy spending time with her. Recommended.
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association released its 2023 Best of the Best Books list, featuring more than 75 titles divided into three categories: PreK–4, Grades 5–8, and Grades 9–12.
The theme for Black History Month 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts." In these titles, young readers can learn about people who loved to express themselves through visual art, dance, song, and other forms of artistic creation.
A smart offering for young children that teaches and pleases in equal measure.
A welcome addition to children’s nonfiction collections, this book offers a joyful introduction to musical instruments and music appreciation.
A great first purchase for libraries.
Fans of the authors’ previous books will appreciate this nonfiction title, as will fans of aviation history. Recommended for all collections.
A must-have. The graphic novel format will appeal to those whose first choice might not be history or biography, and all others will be invited to consider the full-life experiences of Holocaust survivors.
There could never be enough mythology books, but this one is gorgeous, informative, accessible, and overall, fun. Shelve alongside D’Aulaires’s mythology books and pair with the countless fictional myth retellings.
With maps, diagrams, and a fascinating exploration of all things elephant, this book is just right for animal lovers and budding zoologists.
A secondary purchase for collections where books on birds and nature are popular.
Well-researched and carefully presented, this is a quality introductory biography for young readers, and a good addition to the series overall.
A thoroughly engaging, fact-filled book with audacious and memorable animal responses to predators. A must-have for every library.
A solid biography of Marie Curie that highlights her determination and main achievements.
Baffling organization makes it difficult to recommend this book as a reference for queer history, but it works for curious browsers.
Despite being brief, the profundity of the topic of language itself hits its mark. A beautiful addition to all libraries.
It’s a gutsy biography that shouts to be loved, but it may be a very special one-time performance.
Purchase where shape books for young readers circulate well.
A great read-aloud choice for older readers, recommended for most collections.
While a valuable resource, this may be most useful where budding activists abound or where adults will use it to learn alongside the target audience.
An absorbing read with a well-crafted narrative and eloquent art.
A must-have title for libraries.
This adaptation of Hurston’s beautiful, important work is a true gift. Highly recommended for all libraries.
A good addition to nonfiction collections for a well-rounded and detailed view of the night sky.
Anime and manga fans will appreciate the references to popular stories combined with sweet friendship and realistic mystery.
A realistic fiction novel with a fun cryptid twist. A recommended addition to hi-lo collections.
A sci-fi/realistic hybrid designed for middle schoolers where helpful real-world advice is provided in a context of video gaming.
Hopefully, readers will grasp the author’s message about obsession with technology and heed the warning. A good choice for most collections..
This hi-lo title excels in the genre, packaging an accessible, dyslexia-friendly text with a compelling plot and likable protagonist whose journey readers will happily follow. Highly recommended.
Here are the overall Top 10 books chosen from six curated lists, spanning early readers to YA.
“Because Black history isn’t centered, you have to search harder for those stories,” says Gill, who has researched figures including Spottswood Rice, who escaped enslavement and joined the Union Army, and motorcyclist Bessie Stringfield.
In this guest post, artist Sammy Savos details her creative process and discusses her collaboration with Holocaust survivor Estelle Nadel to create the graphic memoir The Girl Who Sang. "I’m very grateful that she was able to see the finished book, hold it in her hands, and tell me how happy she was with it."
The interactive nature of this title makes it a winner with the board book crowd. Keep it on hand; it’s sturdy.
Consider only for larger libraries and robust art/biography collections.
An approachable and valuable resource. Recommended for most collections.
This story of a groundbreaking Jewish American author is recommended for biography shelves.
There’s not a frown to be found in this celebration of art and artists; it’s delightful! Recommended as a first purchase.
A wonderful choice for picture book biography shelves, especially where there’s a gap in women’s, Latinx, and activism history coverage.
A small quest, told in a short-poem form that has a wide-ranging impact, this one little volume can be used and enjoyed in so many ways.
This charming introduction to the violin is likely to appeal to a broad range of readers, and is recommended for general purchase.
Purchase this lovely picture book biography as an introduction to Hamilton’s work or to encourage future creators. With every page, readers will be inspired to follow their own magic.
A strong biography on John Lewis, this is a highly recommended volume will complement the civil rights shelves as well as collections on Black Americans who worked within and occasionally outside the political establishment but always for the good of the country.
Buy this! Especially where there is a need for picture books which introduce children to new, intriguing topics or creatures, urging their minds to think and question.
This captivating journey through ancient waters, which blends impressive visuals with informative text, is a must-read for young explorers. Highly recommended.
A poignant memoir that readers will not be able to put down. Keep tissues handy. Highly recommended.
While the book’s technical vocabulary and complex scientific concepts may pose a minimal challenge for younger readers, older students with an appreciation for learning about lesser-known historical figures and an interest in science will find inspiration in Franklin’s resilience. Remember Rosalind? She’s unforgettable.
An encouraging, but simple story for dreamers about following their hearts and always remaining true to themselves, this is a positive, inspiring message to all children.
articles