New Non-Fiction for Middle Grades

A lot of my middle school readers come to the library and select novels to read in their free time. There are drastically fewer who come and check out non-fiction titles.  This is such a shame because there are really great non-fiction books being published for younger readers.  I've been devouring quite a few of them and these three recent reads are all worth sharing.

It's Trevor Noah: Born a A Crime: Stories From a South American Childhood by Trevor Noah is the young readers version of Noah's memoir. I had listened to the adult version on audio and enjoyed it, but I'm not the best audiobook listener, so truly appreciated this print copy.  It's so funny and truly the only difference I could find between the two books was that offensive language was removed from the middle grade version.  Even if kids don't know Noah, they will find his story laugh out loud funny. It will also give them a better understanding of life in South Africa and the race issues that exist there.

The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History: The Story of the Monument's Men by Robert M. Edsel - this is another YA adaptation of a book that is spectacular.  The adult version has been on my TBR stacks for a long time, but the length of it is slightly daunting. This version gives all the information I feel I need to truly understand the loss of artwork and literature during WWII and the men who tried to preserve as much as possible. The photographs included also help bring this story to life.  

Captured: An American Prisoner of War In North Vietnam by Alvin Townley -this story is an amazing inspirational look at the life of Jerry Denton, a naval aviator who was shot down in Vietnam in 1965.  Townley tells the remarkable story of his capture and 7+ years in captivity as a prisoner of war.  He explains the horrible treatment Denton and other POWs received and their remarkable resilience and dedication to the United States and belief that they would return home together.  

I'm excited to book talk these titles to my classes this week and hope that a few students decide to give non-fiction books a try. I don't think they realize what great stories they are missing out on.