Rising to the CCSS Challenge
with Literary Non-Fiction
Compiled by Robyn Young
This list contains non-fiction titles that may be used for supporting the Common Core State Standards in schools. Click on the book covers to make the image larger.
Language Arts has not been included as a content area as any of the books listed could be used for that content area.
Please comment and let me know if you have further recommendations.
Math/Economics
by David A. Adler
Illustrated by Edward Miller
A beginning guide to economics that introduces young learners to the purpose and value of money.
Elementary — Economics, Money
by Wayne Dyer with Kristina Tracy
Illustrated by Stacy Heller Budnick
Discusses ten points to help children develop healthy attitudes about money.
Elementary — Economics, Money
by Barbara Ehrenreich
The author relates her experiences in which she joined the ranks of the working poor to see for herself how America’s unskilled workers are able to survive on $6 or $7 an hour.
High School—Business, Economics
by Alvin Hall
Presents a simple guide to understanding how finance, economics, and business work.
Elementary/Middle Grades — Economics, Money
by Walter Isaacson
A biography of Steve Jobs, focusing on his intense personality and creative success as the founder of Apple.
High School—Business, Economics
by Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by Wayne Geehan
Young Per and her cousin Radius set out to unlock the secret of Immeter before the sea serpent finds them.
Elementary — Math, Geometry
by Constance Reid
In a simple to understand style, examines number theory of the natural numbers, focusing on the digits themselves.
High School — Discrete Math
by Denise Schmandt-Besserat
Illustrated by Michael Hays
Describes the evolution of counting and the many ways to count and write numbers.
Elementary — Math, Counting
by Greg Tang
Illustrated by Harry Briggs
Illustrated riddles introduce strategies for solving a variety of math problems by visual clues.
Elementary — problem solving
Science
by Robin Bernard
Examines the changes that occur in a sugar maple tree as the seasons progress.
Elementary — Seasons, Weather
by Mike Brown
Astronomer Mike Brown describes how his search for a tenth planet led to the demotion of Pluto to a dwarf planet.
High School — Earth Science
by Andrew Collins
An introduction to violent weather, featuring photographs and descriptions and discussing the work of meteorologists.
Elementary/Intermediate — Weather
by John Fleischman
The true story of Phineas Gage, whose brain had been pierced by an iron rod in 1848, and who survived and became a case study in how the brain functions.
Middle/High School — Science, Biology, Anatomy
by Brian Floca
An illustrated account of the flight of Apollo 11 in 1969, the first manned mission to land on the moon.
Elementary/Intermediate — Space
by Gilles Fonteneau
Recounts the author’s expedition to study tectonic forces a the center of the Caribbean and the surprising results that could help scientists prevent a tsunami disaster.
Middle/High School — Earth Science, Oceanography
by Gail Gibbons
Provides information about how the different parts of trees and how they grow. Offers instruction on how to identify tree species.
Elementary — Plants, Nature
by Deborah Heiligman
A biography that provides an account of the personality behind evolutionary theory and the affect of his work on his personal wife, such as his relationship with his religious wife.
High School — Biology
by Martin Jenkins
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Describes the parental behavior of Emperor penguins, focusing on how the male keeps the egg warm.
Elementary — Animals
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Looks at the ways in which different animals use their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails.
Elementary — Animals
by David Laskin
Presents the true story of the January 1888 blizzard that caught settlers and immigrants off guard and cost the lives of over 500 people.
Middle/High School — Science
by Jere Longman
Discusses the many obstacles conquered by a high school formed out of several communities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
High School — Earth Science, Health, Psychology
by Heather Lynn Miller
Illustrated by Michael Chesworth
Bob Beetle follows the life of Dahlia Dragonfly, providing information on the different stages in the life of a dragonfly.
Elementary — Animals, Insects
by Sy Montgomery
Examines the life of Temple Grandin, whose childhood diagnosis of autism and love of cows led her to revolutionize the livestock industry.
Middle/High School — Science, Health, Biology
by Jim Ottaviani
A graphic novel on the life and accomplishments of Nobel-winning quantum physicist, adventurer, and musician Richard Feynman.
High School — Physics
by James Patterson and Hal Friedman
Tells the true story of Cory Friedman and his 13-year battle with Tourette’s Syndrome.
High School — Biology, Genetics, Health
by Mary Roach
Explores how human cadavers have been used throughout history, discussing how dead bodies have benefited every aspect of human existence.
High School — Biology, Forensics
by Brent Runyon
Presents the true story of the author, who at 14 set himself on fire and sustained burns on over 80% of his body.
High School — Health, Psychology, Sociology
by Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by Lindsay Barrett George
Describes how raspberries, peanuts, corn, and other foods are produced as various plants flower, seed, and bear fruit.
Elementary — Plants
by David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy
Poems with clues prompt readers to guess the identities of ten camouflaged animals. Fact pages present information on each species.
Elementary — Animals
by David Sheff
The author tells the story of his son’s happy early childhood and the transformation wrought by his son’s addiction to methamphetamine.
High School — Biology, Psychology, Health
by Nic Sheff
The author describes his childhood and his addiction to meth and heroin at a young age.
High School — Biology, Psychology, Health
by Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Frane Lessac
Highlights a wide variety of weather conditions by taking a tour around the world and examining weather in different places on the same day in March
Elementary — Weather
by Rebecca Skloot
Examines the experiences of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells were used to create the immortal cell line known as the HeLa cell.
High School — Biology, Genetics
Social Studies
by David Acord
A practical guide to developing effective communication and problem-solving skills using the principles that Abraham Lincoln used to solve some of his most challenging situations.
Middle/High School—Social Studies, Problem Solving, Sociology
Written and Illustrated by Bryn Barnard
Examines Some of the world’s worst diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, the Black Death, and Cholera, and describes how these epidemics helped to change history.
Middle Grades — Social Studies, Science
by Ruby Bridges
Ruby recounts the story of her involvement, as a six-year-old, in the integration of her school in New Orleans in 1960.
Middle Grades — Social Studies
by Michael L. Cooper
Presents a photographic chronicle of the 1930s, focusing on Depression and the dust storms that crippled the Great Plains, and looks at the effects of the twin disasters on American society and domestic policy.
Middle/High School—Social Studies, American History
by Pascal Croci
Presents a graphic novel which follows the experiences of husband and wife who survive their incarceration at the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, but lose their daughter.
High School — World History
by Jaycee Lee Dugard
Chronicles the 18 years Jaycee Dugard spent in captivity, describing what happened after she was kidnapped at age 11 and her struggle to adjust to life once she was reunited with her family.
High School—Sociology, Psychology
by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
Tells of the men and women who saved themselves in the final minutes before the World Trade Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001.
High School—American History
by Hallie Fryd
Presents the details of 50 scandals in American history and their effect on American culture and events.
Middle/High School—American History
by Chris Gardner
Shares the story of Chris Gardner’s life, focusing on the time he spent as a homeless single father, while at the same time building a career as a stockbroker.
High School - Economics, Sociology, Psychology
by Karen Bush Gibson
Presents twenty-six stories of pioneer flights, daring missions, and record-setting journeys.
Middle/High School - U.S. History, World History, Women's studies
by Wil Haygood
Explores the life of Eugene Allen, a butler who served presidents from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan, and after experiencing segregation lived to see the first African American president elected.
High School - U.S. History, Civil Rights
by Laura Hillenbrand
A biography of Olympic runner and World War II bombardier, Louis Zamperini.
High School—American History, World History
by Alex Kershaw
Chronicles the experiences of the young men from Bedford, Virginia who invaded Normandy’s Omaha Beach on D-Day.
High School—American History/World History
by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese
Introduces readers to the lives of 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Middle/High School—American History
by Jerry Parr
The author describes saving President Reagan’s life and his life in service to others.
High School - American History, U.S. Government
by Eva Mozes Kor and Lisa Rojany Buccieri
Details the experiences Eva shared with her twin sister when they were sent to Auschwitz as children and were forced to endure medical experiments under the care of Josef Mengele.
Middle/High School — American History, World History
by Jonathan Mahler
Recounts efforts to defend an accused terrorist who was tried before a special military tribunal.
High School — American History
by Jim Murphy
A narrative prose that details George Washington’s transformation from farmer to military general and describes how he led the Americans against the British.
Middle Grades — Social Studies, American History
by Pete Nelson
Recalls the sinking of the USS Indianapolis at the end of WWII, the navy cover-up and unfair court martial of the ship’s captain.
Middle/High School—American History, World History
Libretto by Pam Munoz Ryan; staging by Brian Selznick
An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.
Elementary/Middle Grades—Social Studies
by Marjane Satrapi
Contains comic strip images in which the author shares the story of her life in Tehran, Iran under control of the Islamic regime.
High School — World History
by Julia Scheeres
The author recalls her upbringing in a strict religious Midwestern town, her education in the Dominican Republic, and the trials of adolescence and racism.
High School — American History
by Steve Sheinkin
An introduction to the life of Benedict Arnold that highlights not only his traitorous actions, but also his heroic involvement in the American Revolution.
Middle/High School — American History
by David J. Smith
Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
Breaks down the population of the world into a collection of one hundred representative people and describes what one would find in this global village.
Elementary/Middle Grades — Social Studies
by James L. Swanson
Recounts the 12-day pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth, that also examines the impact of Lincoln’s death on those close to him.
High School — American History
by Tevi Troy
Examines the effect of popular culture on presidential decisions.
High School — American History, World History, Current Issues, Sociology, Psychology
by Loung Ung
Tells of the author’s experiences after her family was forced to flee Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge Army.
Middle/High School—World History
by Valerie Plame Wilson
A memoir of an ex-CIA agent that discusses her training and her identity leak by the White House.
High School—American History, American Government
by Simeon Wright with Herb Boyd
Written by the cousin of Emmett Till and reveals details of the night Emmett was kidnapped and reflects on how the crime and trial affected his family and community.
Middle/High School—American History
Miscellaneous
by Kristina Morgan
High School - Psychology, Biology, Health, Anatomy
by Brian Jay Jones
Details the life and accomplishments of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets.
High School — Performing Arts
Handouts
Handouts can be used with any literary non-fiction book in any class. They were created/compiled to be adaptable to all grade levels or content areas.
Common Core State Standards
Literary Non-Fiction includes the subgenres of exposition, argument, and functional text in the form of personal essays, speeches, opinion pieces, essays about art or literature, biographies, memoirs, journalism, and historical, scientific, technical, or economic accounts (including digital sources) written for a broad audience.
Texts illustrating the Complexity, Quality, and Range of Student Reading (from the Common Core Standards):
Grades 9-10
“Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry (1775)
“Farewell Address” by George Washington (1796)
“Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln (1863)
“State of the Union Address” by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1941)
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1964)
“Hope, Despair, and Memory” by Elie Wiesel (1997)
Grades 11-12
Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776)
Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1854)
“Society and Solitude” by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1857)
“The Fallacy of Success” by G. K. Chesterton (1909)
Black Boy by Richard Wright (1945)
“Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell (1946)
“Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry” by Rudolfo Anaya (1995)
At a curricular or instructional level, texts need to be selected around topics or themes that generate knowledge and allow students to study those topics or themes in depth.
Robyn Young
Robyn Young is a certified School Librarian (grades K-12) who has been the librarian at Avon High School for 13 years. Prior to that, she taught Social Studies and English for 10 years.
She is the National Honor Society co-sponsor, Newspapers in Education Past-President for the state of Indiana, and a member of the National Digital Learning Day Educator Work Group. She also contributes to the High School Soup Blog for the Alliance for Excellent Education (http://all4ed.org/high-school-soup/) and is an ABC-Clio History Advisory Board Member.
She has been an IPL Golden Apple Award Recipient, State of Indiana Media Specialist of the Year, and received the Esther V. Burrin Award for School Media. She has received two AASL awards: the ABC-Clio Leadership Grant and the School Library Research Grant from Highsmith.
Email: rryoung@avon-schools.org
Website: http://www.avon-schools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=5471
Location: 7575 E CR 150 S, Avon, IN 46123
Phone: 317 544 5000
Twitter: @ahsbooks