Young Adult Nonfiction: A Readers' Advisory and Collection Development Guide

by Elizabeth Fraser

Overview

Covering more than 500 titles, both classics and newer publications, this book describes what titles are about and why teens would want to read them.

Nonfiction has been the workhorse of many young adult library collections—filling information and curricular needs—and it is also the preferred genre for many teen readers. But not all nonfiction is created equal. This guide identifies some of the best, most engaging, and authoritative nonfiction reads for teens and organizes them according to popular reading interests. With genres ranging from adventure and sports to memoirs, how-to guides and social justice, there is something for every reader here.

Similar fiction titles are noted to help you make connections for readers, and "best bets" for each chapter are noted. Notations in annotations indicate award-winning titles, graphic nonfiction, and reading level. Keywords that appear in the annotations and in detailed indexes enhance access. Librarians who work with and purchase materials for teens, including YA librarians at public libraries, acquisitions and book/materials selectors at public libraries, and middle and high school librarians will find this book invaluable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440869792
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/02/2020
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	7.05(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth (Betsy) Fraser is a selector at the Calgary Public Library in Alberta, Canada. She is author of Reality Rules: A Guide for Teen Nonfiction.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part 1 Nonfiction Genres

Chapter 1 True Adventure 3

Definition 3

Appeal 3

Chapter Organization 3

Survival and Disaster Stories 4

Sports Adventures 6

War Stories 8

Explorations, Travel, and Historical Adventures 11

Consider Starting with 14

Fiction Read-Alikes 14

Chapter 2 True Crime 17

Definition 17

Appeal 17

Chapter Organization 17

Cons and Crimes: Solved and Unsolved 18

Crime and Crime Science 23

Intrigue and Espionage 25

Consider Starting with 27

Fiction Read-Alikes 27

Part 2 Life Stories

Chapter 3 Memoirs and Autobiographies 33

Definition 33

Appeal 33

Chapter Organization 34

Coming-of-Age 34

Overcoming Adversity 38

Working Life Memoirs 42

Humorous Memoirs 45

Consider Starting with 47

Fiction Read-Alikes 48

Chapter 4 Biography 49

Definition 49

Collection Development of the Biography Collection 49

Chapter Organization 50

American Presidents and Other Political Leaders 50

Outstanding in Their Fields: Professional Biographies 53

Change-Makers and Activists 56

Historical Biography 58

Partner and Group Biographies 63

Biography Collections 66

Consider Starring with 68

Fiction Read-Alikes 68

Reference 69

Part 3 Nonfiction Subject Interests

Chapter 5 History 73

Appeal 73

Chapter Organization 73

Defining Times 74

History's Darkest Hours 76

Human Cruelties 76

Natural Disasters and Disease Epidemics 81

Micro-histories 84

Historical Biography: Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times 89

Ideas of History 92

New Perspectives 94

Consider Starting with 98

Fiction Read-Alikes 98

Chapter 6 Science, Math, and the Environment 101

Definition 101

Appeal 101

Appeal 103

Chapter Organization 101

General Sciences 102

Adventures in Science 103

How Things Work 105

General 105

Transportation 108

Micro-science 110

Environmental Writing 113

Animals 115

Consider Starting with 117

Fiction Read-Alikes 117

Reference 118

Chapter 7 Sports 119

Definition 119

Appeal 119

Chapter Organization 120

Sports Biographies 120

General Information and Statistics 123

The Greatest Games 125

Consider Starting with 127

Fiction Read-Alikes 127

Chapter 8 All about You 129

Definition 129

Appeal 129

Chapter Organization 129

Personal Growth 130

Health and Wellness 132

Relationships and Sex 135

Tough Stuff 137

Career Directions 138

Consider Starting with 141

Fiction Read-Alikes 141

References 142

Chapter 9 How To 143

Definition 143

Chapter Organization 143

General Crafts 144

Beauty and Style 146

Beauty 147

Style 150

Art and Design 152

Drawing 153

Techniques 153

Manga and Anime 155

Cooking 156

Technology 162

Survival Skills 163

Consider Starting with 165

Fiction Read-Alikes 165

Reference 166

Chapter 10 The Arts 167

Definition 167

Appeal 167

Chapter Organization 167

Art and Artists 168

Music and Dance 173

Film and Television 176

Literature and Language 178

Grammar and Writing 178

Books and Authors 181

Poetry 184

About Poetry and Poets 184

Verse Biographies and Memoirs 186

Folklore, Myths, and Legends 188

Consider Starting with 191

Fiction Read-Alikes 191

Chapter 11 Social Justice and the World 193

Definition 193

Appeal 193

Chapter Organization 193

Popular Media and Culture 194

Religion 195

Social Concerns and Issues 196

Activism and Awareness 200

Consider Starting with 204

Fiction Read-Alikes 204

References 205

Appendix A Nonfiction Readers' Advisory Resources for YA Librarians 207

Appendix B Library Vendors and Wholesalers 213

Appendix C Bibliography 215

Author / Title Index 217

Subject Index 231

What People are Saying About This

Wendy Stephens

"Fraser does an excellent job highlighting a broad range of best available nonfiction for young people, with deft categorization that will be a real time-saver for busy librarians involved in collection development or reader’s advisory. Her fiction read-alikes and the 'Consider Starting with . . .' plums in each chapter will prove invaluable."

Candace Fleming

"Betsy Fraser delivers a bountiful bouquet of glorious nonfiction titles for young adult readers. An indispensable reference. A magnificent gift."

Diana Tixier Herald

"The teen collection at my library has recently experienced a surge in interest in nonfiction and this volume is great for understanding why as well as offering a wealth of great titles to grow the collection. So many of the annotations enticed me to place holds for titles and add dozens of books to my TBR shelf. The logical organization and the “Consider Starting with…” and “Fiction Read-Alikes” sections are invaluable for great reader’s advisory service to young adults. This is a great resource both for reader’s advisory and collection management."

Editorial Reviews

This current selection deftly updates Fraser's previous two titles, Reality Rules! A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests (2008) and Reality Rules II (2012).” —Booklist

“A superb reference work/selection tool that should be owned by all public library systems and school divisions…. Highly Recommended.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

From the Publisher

08/01/2020

Defining young adults as readers ages 12–18, Fraser (Calgary P.L.; Reality Rules: A Guide to Teen Nonfiction Reading Interests) has compiled a detailed, rich catalog to aid librarians doing nonfiction readers' advisory and collection development. The introduction offers succinct guidance on evaluation points (accuracy, organization, illustrations, design, prose, and documentation). Readers will find it easy to jump into any of the 10 chapters, which cover true adventure, life stories, and subject interests (e.g., history, sports, how-to), with annotations for noteworthy titles in each area. Titles were published in 2012 or more recently, with occasional worthy older texts; The Diary of Anne Frank is listed alongside Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis's Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival. Subdivisions provide more targeted recommendations—within "Autobiography and Memoir," readers will find "coming of age," "overcoming adversity," and "humorous." Annotations are pithy, with suggested grade levels, notable awards, and keywords. Fiction read-alikes at the end of each section, the inclusion of significant graphic nonfiction works, and author, title, and subject indexes are further benefits. Fraser's selections are top-notch; seasoned librarians will recognize nonfiction mainstays including Martin Sandler and the "Scientists in the Field" series. Brief "Consider Starting With" lists condense recommendations. VERDICT While there is room to quibble with some suggested reading/interest levels, these moments are rare. This is a necessary purchase and an enjoyable read for those who recommend to or develop collections for a young adult audience.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

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