Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - what is in my nonfiction stacks 1.31.18

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017
Every Wednesday I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other
kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.
The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 
with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.


Lots of nonfiction picture books have ended up in my stacks lately.  Here's what I've been reading:

Child of the Civil Rights Movement
Child of the Civil Rights Movement
written by Paula Young Shelton
illustrated by Raul Colón
I came across this book and the next when I was searching for another civil rights book on my public library's app.  Both were excellent suggestions!
Written by the daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young, Shelton sets out to tell us what 1964 and the events that happened in that year looked like through the lens of a young child.  Well written and great illustrations by the amazing Colón.

The School is Not White! by Doreen Rappaport
The School is Not White! A True Story of the Civil Right Movement
written by Doreen Rappaport
illustrated by Curtis James
Story centers around the eight Carter children and their integration into all-white schools in Mississippi in 1965 and beyond.  Great introduction and endnotes from the author.

Free as a Bird by Lina Maslo
Free as a Bird: The Story of Malala
by Lina Maslo
Well written biography of an amazing young lady.  There have been more and more pieces written about how young women cannot attend school or have other rights as their male counterparts.  This story helps young readers see this injustice and why Malala chose to confront it.  The shooting was handled with sensitivity and young readers will understand she was gravely injured.  Additional information is given in the backmatter.


I am interested in this new trend of picture books about famous adult authors.  I'm wondering what their popularity will be with young readers who do not even know about their works.  This week I have two about the author, Jane Austen!

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
written by Deborah Hopkinson
illustrated by Qin Leng

Brave Jane Austen by Lisa Pliscou
Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
written by Lisa Pliscou
illustrated by Jen Corace

Both are well written and illustrated.  Each will appeal to different readers.  The second book is a bit meatier in information, but they will match up well together and give readers a better idea about this famous adult writer.

What nonfiction reading have you been doing?

3 comments:

  1. It's great to read of older Civil Rights books, too, Michele and I also found Brave Jane Austen at my library. Thanks!

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  2. I was planning on reading those Jane Austen books for next week's post.

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  3. I'm reading through my 2017 books and making purchase suggestion after purchase suggestion to my local library for 2018 books. I finally read Bridget Heos' Who Wants to Be a Princess?What It Was Really Like to be a Medieval Princess. I loved it!

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