NON-FICTION: It's NOT Fiction (Ch. 11)

Nonfiction is comprised of a wide variety of texts such as biography, autobiography, memoirs, narrative non-fiction, expository, and more.  

Non-fiction writing is written for a purpose.  The author is sharing knowledge they learned with the reader.

  Criteria when choosing non-fiction for Young Adults and Children:

1.  What are the qualifications of the author?

-Check the author's website to evaluate their credibility 

-Word of mouth:are they well known to be credible?

-Did they include notes on their research or bibliographies?

2. What type of research did they complete to write this book and their sources of information?

3. Are the facts accurate?

-Resources to check:  Outstanding Science Trade Books and Notable Trade Books in Social Studies ( from the Children's Book Council)

-Good Resource: Nonfiction for Young Adults : From Delight to Wisdom by Betty Carter and Richard Abrahamson

4. What is the purpose/scope of the book?

-broad or narrow topic

-age group of the book

5. What kind of visuals are included to the book?  What is the role?

-visuals help to show the narrative

-visuals break up the narrative 

-does it include charts, maps, graphic organizers to help explain the topic?

6. Is the book well organized and easy for the reader to find useful information?

-does it include a table of contents, index, glossary, suggestions for further reading, bibliography, timelines?

Well-know authors for YA/Children that are known for accurate information:

• Kathleen Krull
• James Cross-Giblin
• Steve Jenkins
• Don Brown
• Loree Griffin Burns
• Seymour Simon

Finally, we need to continue to find diversity in non-fiction and include diversity in our libraries.  
Librarians need to know the criteria for non-fiction in order to help readers with resource for research and to make sure the reader is getting a resource with accurate information.