By Wendy Hinote Lanier
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This is the fifth installment of a series of posts about five types of nonfiction based on the work of Melissa Stewart (we’ve already addressed the first four). Today’s post is about the fifth type: browseable nonfiction.

(Side note: The spelling of browseable appears to be fluid. I’ve checked several sources. But, for the purposes of this post, I’ve chosen to use the one from Melissa Stewart’s new book The Five Kinds of Nonfiction.)

As a former elementary teacher, I have often noted that browseable nonfiction is especially appealing to reluctant or struggling readers. This is probably due to a format that offers tons of photos and illustrations, short blocks of text, and lets the reader skip around without losing any meaning. It’s great for reading and discussion with a reading buddy. And, while the writing style is generally expository, it packs a lot of information into small bite-sized bits.

Ninja favs in this category include the following:

​Tim Flannery’s Weird, Wild, Amazing! books cover such topics as animals, forests, and oceans. Each page is packed with questions, amazing facts, and information about animals on land and in the sea. Colorful drawings depict creatures from around the world. And the conversational text reveals little known facts about well-known animals while introducing the reader to some they’ve never heard of before.

​The Bible Explorer’s Guide by Nancy I. Sanders allows readers to get up close and personal with everyday life during Bible times through photos, maps, and illustrations of the people, places, and buildings of the Bible. Brief text and full-color photos reveal what the people and events of the Bible were really like. 

​Anna Claybourne’s 100 Most series are another Ninja favorite. The topics included are just the sort that kids love since the gross and/or fear factors are pretty high. Amazing photographs depict natural and man-made wonders—each with an awesome rating that ranges from “cool” to “completely awesome.”
 

​My good friend Kathleen Blasi’s sweet story called Milo’s Moonlight Mission follows the main character, Milo, as he helps his mother do all of her chores so she can accompany Captain Milo on his space launch. But when they hear about a meteor storm, they prepare for a new mission. Based on a real experience, Kathy added back matter that explains what a comet is and when to watch the Leonid Meteor shower each year. There is even a call to action as she asks readers if they will set their alarm to watch the next one.

One more example comes from fellow Ninja Lisa Amstutz. Her picture book called, Finding a Dove for Gramps, follows a boy and his mother as they participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Tension rises when the one bird they most hope to find proves elusive. In the back matter Lisa added a short description of the Bird Count, how to join, and most fun of all, a checklist of birds so readers can join in the hunt.

Adding nonfiction back matter to a fictional story adds educational value that librarians and teachers love, and added sales value that editors appreciate.

So, what kind of back matter could you add to your writing project? A recipe, craft, game, fun facts, background info, call to action…?

Leap in! Nonfiction is fun!


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Peggy Thomas is the author of dozens of award-winning nonfiction titles including Lincoln Clears a Path.
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by Christine Liu-Perkins
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​Powerful nonfiction draws readers in by exploring some aspect of being human. As Susan Rabiner & Alfred Fortunato wrote, ". . . you find your narrative by humanizing your story" (Thinking Like Your Editor, p. 192).
 
Even in writing about science and nature, "Create a connection between your subject and your reader's life," advised Margery Facklam and Peggy Thomas (Anatomy of Nonfiction, p. 155).
 
I learned the value of building on a human connection when I was assigned to write about the Temple of Heaven located in Beijing. My first draft described the temple's architecture and its (very cool) hidden symbolism. I used lively language and a sense of progression. I included wow-type details. Surely readers would find the temple as awesome as I did.
 
But in reading it over, I sensed that draft still lacked something. It was dry; it was boring. What was missing?  
 
I pulled back and started wondering, WHO used the temple? What did they use it for?
 
I dug deeper into the research. The answer was emperors. Considered to be mediators between heaven and earth, the emperors themselves performed ceremonies at the Temple of Heaven. These ceremonies involved three days of fasting and mental preparation, a parade of some 3,500 people, and elaborate sequences of offerings and prayers.
 
Eureka! Here was the focus I needed to help readers connect to the temple. Describing the emperor's actions and his desire for heaven's blessings brought the article to life and gave readers a way to feel the significance of the temple.
 
Question for you: in your current project, can you amplify a human connection to deepen the reader's experience?
 

By Nancy Churnin 

Find your passion. And let one thing lead to another.

I write books about people I fall in love with -- someone I want kids to know about. Sometimes that passion leads me to unlikely places.

I don’t remember who I went the library to research when my mind drifted to Charles Dickens. Now, I had no intention of writing a book about Charles Dickens – there are already excellent picture books about him, including Deborah Hopkinson’s 2012 A Boy Called Dickens.

But then I stumbled on this: a Jewish woman, Eliza Davis, had written to him, reproaching him for creating Fagin in Oliver Twist, telling him this ugly character was hurtful and unfair to the Jewish community. I read that her letters changed his heart toward Jewish people. And I felt time stop.

Growing up as a Jewish girl, it hurt me to read the character of Fagin. Now, as a Jewish woman, it was empowering to learn that a Jewish woman spoke up and changed his heart. Talk about validating the power of words. It felt like the universe telling me to use my words to change the world for good, too.

The research wasn’t easy. I had to track down the correspondence. My librarian at the Plano Public Library discovered there were few copies, but one was in Denton, Texas, of all places – less than an hour drive away, at the University of North Texas. I contacted the university’s librarian and was put in touch with the professor who had donated it. I became friends with Professor Don Vann and his wife, the lovely and now, sadly, late Dolores Vann. The Vanns helped me with my research and put me in touch with two other Dickens scholars, Professor Murray Baumgarten and Professor David Paroissien.

I let one thing lead to another. I followed my passion. And I revised innumerable times. Because it took years to find a home for this unusual story.
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But it was worth it. Because on Oct. 1, Dear Mr. Dickens, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe, published by Albert Whitman, comes into the world. And when I hold this book in my hands and share it with kids, you’ll see the look of love in my eyes.

By Stephanie Bearce

Nonfiction writers LOVE teachers! 
We share the same passion for learning, the same curiosity about the world, and have the same desire to connect with children. 

We also want to connect with each other!

As nonfiction writers it is important for us to know what's going on in the clasroom. How can we help teachers teach and children learn? What stories do teachers and students want to read? Building partnerships with teachers is an important part of being a nonfiction writer.

Speaking at teacher conferences is a wonderful way for writers to connect  with educators. As the the world opens up from the pandemic, in-person conferences are returning and so are the speaking opportunities. Teacher organizations like the National Science Teaching Association, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council of Teachers of English, and the American Library Association have annual calls for speaking proposals. If you've written a nonfiction book propsal - then you can write a successful speaking proposal! Speaking at national conferences helps you gain new audiences for your books and expand your platform, but if going to a national conference is not in your budget, consider writing proposals to speak at regional conferences.

Most conferences open their submission window immediately after the current conference ends. Go to the website of the conference you are interested in and note the conference dates. Then keep a close eye out for their instructions and forms.

It does take effort, but presenting at education conferences is one of the best ways to connect with educators and share your passion for learning.

Here are some conferences that might intereste Nonfiction Authors: 
National council Teachers of Mathematics
Council for Exceptional Children Conference
NCSS Annual Conference 
LibLearnX 
International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts Education
International Conference on Multiculturalism and Bilingual Education
International Conference on Mathematics Education and Technology

By Stephanie Bearce

By Wendy Hinote Lanier

As part of an ongoing conversation about types of nonfiction based on the work of Melissa Stewart (we’ve already addressed three), today’s post is about a fourth type: traditional nonfiction.
Traditional nonfiction is a personal favorite. Partly because I read a lot of it growing up, and partly because I’ve written a lot of it as an adult. However, the stuff I grew up reading is very different from what is considered traditional nonfiction today.

Today’s traditional nonfiction is generally an overview of a particular topic—an “all about XYZ” sort of thing. It’s written in an expository style using clear, straightforward language, and the books in this category are frequently part of a series. The pages are filled with colorful illustrations and/or photographs, cool graphics and charts, interesting sidebars, explanatory captions, and sometimes even QR codes or web links for additional information or activities. This is NOT your grandpa’s nonfiction.

As with active nonfiction, traditional nonfiction isn’t considered sexy and doesn’t often win the big awards. What is does is sell. Big. Kids who are curious about a particular topic eat it up. The straightforward format satisfies their need to know and provides just the right amount of entertainment to go along with it.

Some Ninja favs in this category include:​
The Truth About series by Maxwell Eaton III is both funny and informational. The author’s almost graphic novel art style and humorous text covers just about everything a kid might want to know about animals like dolphins, crocodiles, hawks, bears, butterflies, elephants, and his most recent release—parrots. 

Capstone’s Fast Facts About Bugs and Spiders is a series of eight books, five of which are written by fellow Ninja Lisa Amstutz. Simple text, close-up photos, and fun activities make these overviews of various bugs and spiders a great introduction for a budding entomologist. 

The What to Expect When You’re Expecting series by Bridget Heos is another great example of a traditional nonfiction. This entertaining format is used in at least three books that explore insects, marsupials, and reptiles. Heos is also the author of the Just Like Us series that includes six titles exploring the topics of fish, plants, crocodiles, birds, cats, and ants

The Read All About series by Jaclyn Jaycox is from Capstone and includes four titles. Stunning photographs and fact laden text introduce young readers to the world of dogs, cats, oceans, or rocks and gems.

By Peggy Thomas

​Last week, I broke my ankle. Since then, I’ve had trouble focusing on my work. So, I’ve gone back to basics, rereading some of my favorite books about writing and the creative process.

My artist / illustrator brother, Paul Facklam, and I can talk for hours about why we do what we do, and love sharing titles and stories that remind us we are not the only ones who have writer’s block, or career doubts or fear of failure.

One of my favorite books is a slim paperback titled Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I’ll flip to any section, read a bit, and feel better instantly.

I also love Big Magic  by Elizabeth Gilbert. The author of Eat, Pray, Love, is not embarrassed in the least to share inner fears, and thoughts about creativity and where it comes from. 

If you want a quick boost, listen or read Neil Gaiman’s commencement address to graduates of the University of the Arts. Make Good Art. It’s also a book.  He also wrote Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World.

There are also some great podcasts out there. Longform. talks to nonfiction writers like Gay Talese and Susan Orleans about how they write, and Working It Out features comedians. I love listening to artists who work in other fields because you realize that the creative process is the same no matter what the vehicle is. Comedian, Mike Birbiglia, started Working It Out because he missed getting together with other comedians during the pandemic. As the title claims they each bring an idea or a joke they are developing and work it out.  Guess who one of his critique partners is? Ira Glass from radio's This American Life ! OMG!!!

I also regularly go back to  Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, and all the many editions of William Zinsser’s On Writing Well. 

​What books inspire you or rekindle your creative process?  Share in the comments below. 

​Linda Skeers writes about fascinating people. Her WOMEN WHO DARED: 52 STORIES OF FEARLESS DAREDEVILS, ADVENTURERS & REBELS, illustrated by Livi Gosling (Sourcebooks, 2017), was chosen for the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People list. Her latest book, DINOSAUR LADY: THE DARING DISCOVERIES OF MARY ANNING, THE FIRST PALEONTOLOGIST, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Sourcebooks, 2020) is on the list of NSTA Outstanding Trade Science Books for Students K-12 and was also longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru Children's Science Picture Book Award.
 
I asked Linda for advice on writing biographies for children. Here's what she generously shared:
 
Q: What makes someone a good subject for a children's biography?
LS: I think people with unique talents, skills or accomplishments make good subjects — especially if readers can connect with them on some level. Maybe they share a feeling (curiosity, determination, fear, loneliness, ambition…) or an interest in the same subject (dinosaurs, space, fashion, art, animals…) Hopefully the subject of a biography will fascinate readers, and they’ll want to learn more about the person, what they did, and why and how they did it.  And maybe it will inspire them to follow their own passion!
 
Q: How did you identify Mary Anning's defining personality trait?
 LS: I had trouble narrowing down the traits I admired about Mary Anning to just a few! I chose to focus on her insatiable curiosity and determination to learn everything she could about the world around her no matter what obstacles she faced. For example – she wanted to read scientific textbooks, but they were written in French. No problem! She just taught herself to read French! After discovering a fossilized head of a creature never seen before, she searched for an entire YEAR for its body!
 
Q: How do you decide what traits will connect with kids?
 LS: Think like a kid! I always look for things that surprise me or make me go WOW when I’m researching.
 
 Q: Any tips on openings for a biography?
 LS: I try to open with a scene showing readers what the person is like – I want them to say, “She’s awesome!” or “I’d like to hang out with her!”
 
Q: Any tips on openings for a biography?
LS: I try to open with a scene showing readers what the person is like – I want them to say, “She’s awesome!” or “I’d like to hang out with her!”
 
Q: Any tips on endings for a biography?
 LS: For endings I like to highlight their accomplishments and legacy. My hope is to jumpstart readers' interest in a person or subject that may be new to them. And make them want to grab another book and keep reading!

By Nancy Churnin
 
There’s no getting around it. Research is required for any kind of nonfiction you want to do. It takes a lot of reading and often interviewing to assemble and understand the facts you need to get the story right.
 
Sometimes the research you do is just enough to support one book. But if you dig deeply enough, you may find you’ve found a well that will sustain other books and projects.
 
When I’m researching subjects for informational nonfiction, I’ve learned to stay alert for ideas that might be worthy of another story. I keep contact information for the experts I use and stay in touch with them, too. It’s already happened, more than once, that the experts I consulted for one project have provided invaluable help and guidance on others.
 
When I’m doing narrative biographies, it’s hard not to come across other, related great subjects. In fact,  one of my most biggest struggles in writing picture books is maintaining the discipline to discard other characters and themes that fascinate me. The good news, I’ve come to realize, is that I don’t have to discard them! Well, maybe I have to let them go for the book I’m currently working on. But I keep files now on other people of interest and ideas for when I’m ready. The bonus is that if the person is deeply connected to my original subject, chances are some of the resources I already know can help me again.
 
Another option I have on my to-do list to try is to tackle a middle grade on a subject similar to some of my picture books. As our Nonfiction Ninja middle grade expert, Stephanie Mowry Bearce, likes to remind me, middle grade gives you more room to tell more stories. I’ve dug deep wells of research and resources for my picture book. I’m looking forward to going back to some of these wells to gather up some loved ideas I left behind. I bet you’ll enjoy digging some wells, too.