Nonfiction for Upper Elementary Students
Get ready to dive headfirst into a treasure trove of knowledge with our collection of vocabulary lists for nonfiction books for upper elementary students. From ancient wonders to cutting-edge discoveries, these books will transform you into a walking encyclopedia of fascinating facts. So, grab your magnifying glass and prepare to embark on a wordy journey that'll make you the ultimate master of real-world wisdom!
SpookedHow a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of AmericaIn 1938, Orson Welles performed a radio version of H.G. Wells's science fiction novel The War of the Worlds — and inadvertently sparked panic among listeners who believed they were tuned in to a real news broadcast about an alien invasion. This award-winning book tells the story behind the broadcast and explores the effects of false information in the media.
All ThirteenThe Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer TeamThis award-winning nonfiction book details the rescue of twelve soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand.
World Without FishIn this book, Mark Kurlansky explores threats to the world's oceans and fish populations and describes ways that young people can support sustainable fishing.
AstronautsWomen on the Final FrontierUsing a graphic novel format, the authors tell the stories of the first women in space, focusing on astronaut Mary Cleave.
Lifting as We ClimbBlack Women's Battle for the Ballot BoxThis book explores the achievements of black women in the American suffrage movement.
BombThe Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous WeaponIn this engaging blend of science and history, Steve Sheinkin traces the development of the atomic bomb.
SmileWhen she was in sixth grade, cartoonist Raina Telgemeier severely damaged her teeth during an accidental fall. In this graphic memoir, Telgemeier chronicles her literal and figurative quest to reclaim her smile.
SistersIn this graphic memoir, Raina Telgemeier recounts a childhood road trip to Colorado and explores her relationship with her sister Amara.
GutsIn this companion to Smile and Sisters, graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier recounts her experiences with childhood anxiety and phobias.
When Stars Are ScatteredIn this memoir, told in graphic form, Omar Mohamed recounts his life as a Somalian refugee in Kenya.
I Was Their American DreamIn this graphic memoir, Malaka Gharib recounts growing up in America while navigating her Filipino and Egyptian heritage.
El DeafoIn this graphic memoir, Cece Bell chronicles the struggles and triumphs of growing up deaf. Learn these words from the award-winning book.
This Side of WildMutts, Mares, and Laughing DinosaursIn this memoir, the award-winning adventurous author shares his observations and relationships with different animals, including mutts, mares, and laughing dinosaurs.
PeléThe King of SoccerThis biography, told in graphic form, explores the life of the famed Brazilian soccer player.
The Story of My LifeThis account of Helen Keller's life is divided into three parts: Part I is Keller's autobiography, which she published in 1903; Part II is a selection of Keller's letters; and Part III consists of supplementary materials by Keller's teacher and lifelong friend, Anne Sullivan.
It's Trevor Noah: Born a CrimeIn this adaptation of Born a Crime for young readers, Trevor Noah recounts his childhood in apartheid-era South Africa.
Brown Girl DreamingIn a series of autobiographical poems, Jacqueline Woodson vividly brings her childhood and adolescence to life. This memoir in verse won the National Book Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the Newbery Honor Award.
This Promise of ChangeOne Girl’s Story in the Fight for School EqualityIn this autobiographical work, Jo Ann Allen Boyce recounts her experience of being one of the first Black children to integrate a public high school in Clinton, Tennessee, following desegregation in the late 1950s.
The Beloved World of Sonia SotomayorIn this memoir, Sonia Sotomayor recounts her childhood in the South Bronx, her education and early work as a lawyer, and her eventual appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Girl Who Drew ButterfliesHow Maria Merian's Art Changed ScienceThis biography, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal, recounts the life of Maria Merian, a naturalist who studied insects.
I Am MalalaYoung Readers EditionAn ordinary Pakistani girl is shot by the Taliban while fighting for her right to an education. Co-written with Patricia McCormick, in this memoir, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, tells her story.
The Diary of a Young GirlWhile in hiding with her family in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, 13-year-old Anne Frank kept a diary of her experiences. Published after Anne's death in a Nazi concentration camp, the diary remains a powerful testament to the everyday horrors of the Holocaust.
Zlata’s DiaryA Child's Life in Wartime SarajevoIn this diary, eleven-year-old Zlata Filipović describes her life in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.
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