19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

Our starred middle and high school nonfiction offerings for the first half of 2025 are sure to keep readers engaged and informed. 

 

Estes, Fred. Design Thinking: A Guide to Innovation. Twenty-First Century.
Gr 7 Up–A must-have for middle schools, high schools, and public libraries that support maker clubs and other youth-driven innovation groups.

Fleming, Candace. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown. Random/Anne Schwartz.
Gr 8 Up–Gripping and gut-wrenching, Fleming’s extensively researched book about the Jonestown massacre is a must.

Friedman, Tova. The Daughter of Auschwitz: The Girl Who Lived to Tell Her Story. HarperCollins/Quill Tree.
Gr 4 Up–Masterfully and beautifully written. Not to be missed, this is a first and important purchase for all libraries.

Gaddy, Kristina R. A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery. Dutton.
Gr 8 Up–An intriguing offering that shines a light into a lesser-known aspect of the American abolitionist movement. Highly recommended.

Grush, Loren with Rebecca Stefoff. The Six Young Readers Edition: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts. S. & S.
Gr 6 Up–Richly detailed and deeply human, this title serves as both an inspiring tribute to its subjects and a thought-provoking examination of the ongoing journey toward gender equity in STEM.

Jenson-Elliott, Cindy. The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinction. illus. by Theo Nicole Lorenz. Lee & Low/Tu Bks.
Gr 4-8–Purchase this impressive STEM title for dino fans, curricular tie-ins, and all nonfiction shelves.

Kelly, Erin Entrada. At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom. Greenwillow.
Gr 4-8–This compelling biography belongs in every library, enhancing instruction and research on women’s history, WWII, the Philippines, and Hansen’s disease.

Kendi, Ibram X. Malcolm Lives! The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers. Farrar.
Gr 7 Up–This thoroughly researched, beautifully rendered portrait of a complex and pivotal figure is recommended as an essential purchase.

Leiren-Young, Mark. Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep. Orca.
Gr 4-7–Budding scientists and animal lovers will keep this stellar title in full circulation as they learn the mysteries and history of octopuses, from their biology, habitats, habits, and threats to their future.

Levy, Debbie. A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight over Science in Schools. Bloomsbury.
Gr 4-7–This engaging history relates the story of the first significant battle in America’s ongoing “culture wars” and is highly recommended.

Locke, Katherine & Nicole Melleby, eds. Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports. Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano.
Gr 4-6–A must-purchase not just for sports fans but for any reader looking for hope and stories of belonging.

Miller, Sarah. Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart. Random House Studio.
Gr 9 Up–This immersive, engaging, and deeply emotional portrait of an unconventional woman is a must-read for enthusiasts of women’s history, journalism, and LGBTQIA+ biographies.

Rebel Girls Make Dessert: Kid-Tested Recipes You Can Make, Bake, and Share! Ten Speed.
Gr 6 Up–This collection of recipes is a treasure; visually stunning, seasoned with quotes from famous female chefs, and a great addition to the “Rebel Girls” series.

Robinson, James. Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen. illus. by Brian Rea. Penguin Workshop.
Gr 5 Up–A moving memoir highly recommended for all middle and high school collections, as well as the parent/teacher shelves in public libraries.

Saltz, Joanna. Delish: The How-To Cookbook for Young Foodies. Hearst Home Kids.
Gr 3-8–One of the best how-to books for young cooks, or for anyone who is learning. Every library should order at least one copy of this cookbook.

Sinclair, Stephanie & Sara Sinclair, eds. You Were Made for This World: Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People. Tundra.
Gr 5 Up–An inclusive must-buy for all upper elementary collections and for any institution serving an Indigenous community.

Togethxr. Play It Forward: How Women Are Changing Sports to Change the World. Chronicle.
Gr 9 Up–Hand to high school athletes looking for nonfiction sports stories that are as realistic as they are joyful.

Yellowhorn, Eldon & Kathy Lowinger. Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories. Annick.
Gr 7 Up–This luminous work is more than a collective biography. It’s a reclamation of Indigenous stories, often manipulated, destroyed, and untold. A first purchase.

YONG, Ed. An Immense World (Young Readers Edition): How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets. adapt. by Annamarie Anderson. illus. by Rebecca Mills. Random/Bright Matter.
Gr 4-8–A fascinating tour through the world of animal senses, this will be popular with animal lovers and collectors of weird-but-true nature facts.

 


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