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The position statement from the National Council of Teachers of English says nonfiction offers more than traditional textbooks and "has never been more vibrant or vital."
Including fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, these titles cover topics from the making of the atomic bomb to the history of video games.
This collection of stories sets the Civil Rights Movement in the context of a child’s family life, providing insight for modern readers to understand both the movement and the realities of life for African Americans in the Jim Crow South.
The godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, has influenced music greats like Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. These picture book biographies finally put the pioneer center stage where she belongs.
PREMIUM
Twinkle, Twinkle Daytime Star
This colorful board book that introduces the youngest children to the role of earth’s most important star, the sun, is highly recommended for early nonfiction or board book collections.
PREMIUM
I Am John Lewis
While somewhat less sanitized than some of the others in this series, this is still a mixed bag in terms of tone and presentation of a charged period in history underlying an accessible if imperfect biography.
A fun and appealing board book adaptation for reading aloud, suited to acquainting the youngest audience with space travel.
With an enticing mix of playful whimsy and quiet moments, this well-crafted collection of accessible verse and lovely illustrations should appeal to a wide audience.
Both a teaching tool for writing poetry as well as an ode to poetry itself. Highly recommended.
Poetry fans and educators alike will enjoy this bright and cheery collection of floral-focused haiku.
PREMIUM
Dark Testament: Blackout Poems
A compelling and thoughtful read, and a great introduction to blackout poetry. A strong first purchase for libraries.
For collections looking to add religious-based, serviceable picture books, this one might help children identify what kindness can look like and how to practice it in their communities.
PREMIUM
MEOW!: The Truth About Cats
For collections where animal nonfiction circulates well, this is a very good purchase. The photographs have a charm factor that will keep readers enchanted for repeated outings.
PREMIUM
A World of Dancers
Recommended as an introduction to world dance styles that is accessible and inclusive of many cultures.
Inspiring text and illustrations evoke the journey of an iconic filmmaker. Recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
Gertie, The Darling Duck of WWII
A delightful historical tale that will encourage young people to find similar “good news” stories in their world today. Recommended.
A robust addition to general poetry collections, sure to appeal to a wide range of poetry lovers.
An essential purchase for all libraries.
A STEAM-themed poetry collection that should have broad appeal for young readers and will be a welcome addition to the shelves. Recommended.
The dual thrust should interest fans of Peters’s many other books and may invite or challenge pet lovers, as well as readers and teachers of poetry or science.
PREMIUM
A World of Gratitude
A good additional purchase to collections, with activities that easily translate to libraries and classrooms.
An overdue narrative of one of early rock’s most influential figures, and an additional purchase for most biography collections.
This attractive and educational poetry book will be a great addition to poetry and nature study collections.
Recommended for all readers. Fans of Traci Chee’s We Are Not Free will be particularly drawn to this work.
PREMIUM
Outdoor School: Tree, Wildflower, and Mushroom Spotting: The Definitive Interactive Nature Guide
This is a wonderful interactive workbook, which would be difficult to place on library shelves. It might be of use as part of programming.
A fascinating work about the importance of a seemingly simple life form with a gigantic impact, this is a strong choice for middle grade collections.
Aitken urges his readers to be unafraid of the dark and after reading this excellent book, tweens will want to venture forth into the night without a flashlight.
An inspiring and lovely gift book in celebration of Black Lives Matter that shows how our country has been shaped by the diversity of its people. Due to the recorded material and need for batteries, it may have to be closely monitored in a library setting.
An excellent purchase for all libraries, expertly organized to document the psychological benefits and historical and contemporary ways crafting brings communities together in action.
Tweens will leave with a greater understanding of how their brain works and the importance of keeping it healthy.
A general purchase for curricular tie-in as needed.
With the look and feel of a scrapbook, this piece of history is a unique portrait of the home front during a significant event in American history. A notable, unique addition to nonfiction collections.
This inspirational text about underrepresented folks in STEM fields is nonfiction at its best.
This delightful primer on being human is a mix of facts, speculation, and advice which is not to be missed. It will definitely get kids and adults alike thinking about what it means to be them in this world both now and in the future.
A first purchase for all libraries serving young children, this is an outstanding poetry compilation about the meaning of home.
A fresh and female addition to the music legend canon, just in time for Black History Month displays. Purchase where picture book biographies, especially those about musicians/rock history, circulate well.
Steer teens toward these powerful works and organizations focused on environmental movements and climate justice.
PREMIUM
The Story of Us
A confusing message that will nevertheless find a place in most church libraries and Christian homes because of its unique treatment of Christian beliefs and captivating illustrations.
A great story about the world’s loneliest elephant and how activism and a few dedicated people saved him.
A pleasant book to browse through or for simple research, with a diverse cast and population numbers that will make world travelers even of the armchair variety.
An awe-inspiring picture book biography about an outstanding storyteller.
This remarkable biography of a talented and determined man is highly recommended.
Making the connection between nonfiction books and the five-paragraph essay.
With its range of text structures, innovative formatting, and rich language, expository literature is a great choice for modeling high-quality informational writing.
Enhance your curriculum by showing how these standout nonfiction works reflect strategies of nonfiction writing.
A good choice for sharing one on one, especially where representation of groundbreaking Black, female, Latinx artists is needed. Pair with Patty Rodriguez and Arianna Stein’s Celia for a well-rounded collection.
PREMIUM
Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe
The quirky illustrations cannot save this clumsily written collection. Stick with Silverstein.
Charming illustrations and a brief text make accessible an early suffragist and lesser-known British composer. Eclectic but enjoyable.
This edition is an excellent choice for senior high school and undergraduate curriculum that includes educator-assisted lessons on Modernist poetry, but the assertion that it is somehow more comprehensible to all readers is overstated and unconvincing.
The winner will be announced during the Youth Media Awards ceremony on January 30.
PREMIUM
A Kids Book About War
The “A Kids Book About” series is well-intentioned, but the formats defy grade levels and uses, demand the participation of adults, and leave so much murkiness that children end up with more questions than answers.
PREMIUM
A Kids Book About Equality
Imperfect but an entry to a big discussion that may be used with other books on the topic to bring to it a current-events vibrancy.
A nonfiction book that richly mines scientific facts, this can be read in one sitting or researched as individual chapters for ultimate flexibility.
PREMIUM
Tiana’s Cookbook
The Princess and the Frog’s food focus makes it a logical basis for a cookbook; the concept is well-executed and recommended for purchase where juvenile cookbooks, especially with a movie tie-in, are popular.
PREMIUM
I Made This! Snacks
This small volume packs a punch. Easy-to-follow recipes, excellent photos, and vocabulary-building make this a great addition to children’s cookbook collections.
PREMIUM
The Garbage Pail Kids Cookbook
Purchase for collections where the new Garbage Pail Kids series or gross-out books are popular.
A clear, concise volume with fun recipes for those just starting out. The focus on photos makes this a great addition for beginner chefs.
Fans of Wonderland will be unable to resist the aesthetics of this adorable cookbook, which pairs well with any iteration of Alice’s story.
A thorough volume from experienced instructors; a fine choice for juvenile cookbook collections.
This cookbook and its stunning design will appeal to Disney lovers of all ages. While it suffers from some organizational choices, Disney fans will be inspired to cook. A recommended purchase.
Encouraging best cooking practices and providing audiovisual supplements to the written material ensures that kid chefs can find success. An excellent juvenile cookbook addition.
The combination of delectable desserts and inspirational messaging makes this a must-purchase for teen cookbook collections.
PREMIUM
Super Good Cookies for Kids
Whether or not readers know Goldman from his TV appearances, his personality and technical skills are evident throughout. With kid and adult appeal, this is a must purchase.
PREMIUM
Kids Cook Dinner: 23 Healthy, Budget-Friendly Meals from the Best-Selling Cooking Class Series
Helpful supplemental information and a wide variety of kid-friendly recipes make this a great juvenile cookbook addition.
This innovative cookbook will appeal to Pokémon fans of any age; keep in mind that younger fans may need adult assistance with challenging recipes.
Though the recipes and aesthetics are impressive, the tone of this cookbook is not always kid-friendly.
A beginner cookbook that young chefs can grow into, with helpful tips for adults as well. A recommended purchase.
Latham demystifies the bread-baking process for children, teens, and even adults. This cookbook is essential for any beginning bread baker. Highly recommended.
Combining cooking with the epic Padawan journey to becoming a Jedi is a surefire way to entice young Star Wars fans to branch out with cooking. Recommended for juvenile collections, especially where Star Wars is popular.
A book that is entirely in a class of its own, this belongs in every collection for teens.
A compelling account of one of the Little Rock Nine, and the first Black woman to graduate from Central High School. A must-purchase for nonfiction collections and required reading for U.S. history classes.
Knowing The Great British Baking Show and having an adventurous spirit will make this a fan-favorite and have it flying off the shelves.
Kurlansky advises readers “It would not be acceptable to call everyone a liar, but it is wise to question everything you are told.” Libraries would be equally wise to purchase and recommend to middle and high school students.
Educators will applaud a book that helps navigate an already overwhelming problem and curious teens will be rewarded with helpful tips for media consumption. It’s a book every library and classroom should have.
Readers looking for a collection of stories might be disappointed to find only a few, but those generally interested in fable and folklore, with extra information about the science and reality behind it, will greatly enjoy this collection.
Add to collections where sports bios are popular.
Everyone will find something fascinating in these pages.
PREMIUM
We Go Way Back
This title will be a welcome addition to collections where smartly delivered complex science is appreciated.
This biography of a lesser-known American hero and look into the process of researching historical sources is an essential purchase across several age ranges.
Outstanding in all ways, this title deserves a place in most collections and adds a wonderful opportunity for upper elementary students (and higher!) to unpack our complicated histories.
This is best suited for older elementary children, particularly those with an interest in science.
PREMIUM
The Snail
Not a straightforward biography of the artist, this is recommended for collections where other materials on the life and work of Noguchi are available.
An excellent and essential first purchase for all collections; whether for curriculum-building or classroom-sharing, this book is unforgettable.
Freedom! The Story of the Black Panther Party by Jetta Grace Martin, Joshua Bloom, and Waldo E. Martin, Jr., and The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel are the winners of the 2022 Freedman Award.
PREMIUM
Trees
This resource taps into a topic that has become even more timely since it was first published.
PREMIUM
Penguins (New & Updated Edition)
In this informative new and reissued edition, readers learn about some of the 17 different kinds of penguins.
A must-have reissue to replace and update that worn-out Gibbons on the shelf.
PREMIUM
Wolves
This reissue has been refreshed, presenting the latest scientific information on wolves in language accessible for young readers.
Stellar research, unexplored histories, scientific breakthroughs, and heartbreaking truths loom large in this whopping list of 52 choice nonfiction works.
These six selections can boast powerful verse, calls for action, and moving imagery—and poems about animals that sip, slurp, and suck, too.
A breathtaking book that introduces STEM concepts to young learners and provides a good jumping-off point for myriad scientific topics or even casual conversations.
PREMIUM
Anna Pavlova
Why not? Like the meringue she inspired, this Pavlova is rich, light, airy, filling, ethereal.
An excellent read that practically dares readers to take on the tough issues with strength and vigor, this is an outstanding purchase for all libraries.
An approachable text on a wide range of insect lore, this title has high appeal for those curious about bugs and would also be helpful for research.
Much more than a sports biography, this powerful and stellar work documents Robinson’s place in history as a civil rights hero. Highly recommended for all middle and high school libraries.
Hand the these two works exploring the ever-evolving world of architecture to budding architects and any reader curious about the past and future of the buildings that populate our world.
A wonderful selection for nonfiction shelves, this is a compelling narrative of peace and war
Recommended for early nonfiction collections.
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