Nonfiction books for middle-grader readers provide real world information, inspire curiosity, and encourage a lifelong love of learning. Below, I've listed a selection of prize-winning titles that have received recognition from prominent literary organizations for exemplary content, writing, and presentation. All good choices for holiday gifts, by the way.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
Author: Jen Bryant
Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
Literary Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
This biography of Peter Roget, the creator of the thesaurus, won the Sibert Medal. It offers an insightful look into the life and work of a man whose passion for words changed the way we communicate.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Author: Kadir Nelson
Literary Award: Sibert Medal
Another Sibert Medal winner, this book provides a fascinating historical perspective celebrating the achievements and struggles of black athletes during a segregated era.
Author: Jennifer Swanson
Literary Award: NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book
With a focus on both space and the deep sea, this book explores the adventures and challenges faced by scientists who study these extreme environments.
Author: Michael Bornstein and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat
Literary Award: Sibert Informational Book Honor
This gripping memoir recounts the experiences of a Holocaust survivor who, as a young child, was one of the youngest to be liberated from Auschwitz. It is the unforgettable story of a boy who dodged death many times during his harrowing journey of survival.
Author: John Rocco
Literary Award: NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book
Combining stunning illustrations with comprehensive information about the Apollo missions, this easy-to-read book is a top choice for young readers interested in space exploration.
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Zunon
Literary Award: ALA Notable Children's Book
The inspiring story of Isatou Ceesay and the women of the Gambia who transformed plastic waste into a thriving enterprise is recounted in this informative read.
Author: Jeannine Atkins
Literary Award: Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction
This illustrated book introduces readers to three remarkable young women living in three different time periods who made significant contributions to the field of science. It is a celebration of nature and the joy of exploring and discovering more about our world.
Author: Natascha Biebow
Illustrated by: Steven Salerno
Literary Award: Cybils Award
This Cybils Award-winning book offers a colorful exploration of the history of Crayola crayons and their inventor, Edwin Binney. He was a curious inventor who found a way to pack a rainbow of colors within a small blue box which has delighted people of all ages around the world.
Literary Award: Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature
A compelling biography of the beloved author of "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little," this title won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. It not only celebrates White's life and work but also provides insight into his creative process.
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science
Author: Joyce Sidman
Literary Award: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
This Orbis Pictus Award-winning biography celebrates the life and work of Maria Merian, a pioneering entomologist and scientific illustrator. She celebrated caterpillars when the whole world considered them a bad omen. Maria discovered the process of metamorphosis through her observations and drew beautiful illustrations to reveal the journey of a caterpillar to butterfly for the world.
These wonderful middle-grade nonfiction titles exemplify the genre's ability to educate, inspire, and captivate young readers. They cover a wide range of subjects, from history, science, biography and memoir, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and stories for children to explore and learn from.
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