YA Textbook Reflection Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Nonfiction

• Summary: Nonfiction is an umbrella term for books defined by what they are not.  Nonfiction books include narratives, expository approaches, biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs.  There is a wide array of books that fall under the umbrella category of nonfiction and they have criteria/questioning to follow in order to distinguish quality nonfiction text.  They are as follows:

1. What are the qualifications of the author?
1. Check the author’s website or author’s notes in the back of the book.
1. Kathleen Krull, James Cross Giblin, Steve Jenkins, Don Brown, Loree Griffin Burns, Seymour Simon
2. Are the facts accurate?
1. The Children’s Book Council- Science Tradebooks
2. Notable Tradebooks- Social Studies
3. What is the purpose and scope of the book?
1. Narrow scope or broad scope?
1. It’s Perfectly Normal: Sex, sexuality, and changing bodies
2. It’s So Amazing: Meant for younger kids
4. How does the organization of the book assist readers in locating information?
1. Index and Table of Contents
2. Timeline
3. Glossary
4. Bibliography
5. What role do visuals play?
1. Shows artifacts (archive photos)
2. Paintings
3. Real life photos
4. Call out boxes

9 Questions that should be asked about nonfiction books

1. How would this book be different if it was written 50 years ago or 50 years from now?
2. Describe your favorite illustration and tell which one you wish you had done yourself? Why?
3. Would this book make a good documentary? Why?
4. Explain what you think the author did to research and write this book.
5. How would this book be different if it had been written for an adult? For a kindergarten student?
6. What kind of teacher do you think the author would make?
7. What would you ask the author if you could interview them?
8. What are three facts, theories, or incidents you found interesting in the book?
9. Does the jacket and title of the book represent the contents of the book?

Reflection/Response:  In the book Nonfiction for Young Adults: From Delight to Wisdom, it speaks about how more nonfiction books are read than fiction books among readers.  Based on a study, there was considerably more nonfiction being circulated through library checkouts than fiction.  This information leads me to believe that although most libraries acquire more fiction than nonfiction, it’s pertinent to boost your nonfiction section in order to adjust to the reader’s preferences.  I also read that if young children focus on nonfiction while they are younger, they will more than likely be at reading level or higher when they are older. Nonfiction has so much more to offer; it can provide children something that can help them long after their done reading the book, which is an appreciation of well-developed research and accurate facts.  As an avid fiction reader and then studying/reviewing nonfiction, I have come to the understanding that nonfiction writing has more criteria to follow in order to make sure the information being put out there is correct. Fact checking, the authors background, the layout of the book, and it’s visuals play a huge role in creating an accurate and enticing nonfiction book for young readers. Not all nonfiction books are created equal.  Therefore, as a librarian it’s importance for us to check the credentials of all nonfiction books in our collection.  Librarians should access reputable sites that will aide in this process as well as making sure the timeline is accurate and not out of date.