Tag: Non-FIction

Getting THAT book to THAT kid with Ellen Cochrane

We sat down with debut author Ellen Cochrane to discuss how vital nonfiction is for young readers, the process of becoming a first-time published author in retirement, and the incredible survival story that formed the basis of Ellen’s debut nonfiction book, Follow the Water.

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Use these ready-to-print bookmarks to promote this interview to your library’s readers. We even left space for your library’s logo! Click here to use the design on Canva. Be sure to select, “Make a Copy”, in order to personalize. Click here for the pdf.

Visit Ellen’s website here

Find Ellen’s books here

Find materials to enrich your students’ reading of Follow the Water here

Contact Ellen (and request speaking engagements) here

Read up on the closure of the Peruvian research station here;

Ellen is deeply shaken by this development, as it underscores a larger environmental crisis, an alarming war on science, and why helping young people understand the real-world power of science has never mattered more. A portion of the proceeds from Ellen’s book will support the research station, and she hopes to help draw attention to what is happening and why it matters.

Download our ready-to-print bookmarks here!

Ellen CochraneFollow the Water BookkmarksDownload

How Dare Humans Be So Complex? A Conversation with Candace Fleming

How dare humans be so complex? So gray?

Candace Fleming

Candace Fleming on telling the truth and, yes, teens can handle the truth.

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Find Candace Fleming’s Website Here

Click below to purchase Death in the Jungle!

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2025) Feature Review: Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges and Town That Looked Away by Candy J. Cooper

Shackled is the story of the “Kids for Cash” scandal that sent more than 2,500 kids and teens to for-profit detention centers for relatively minor offenses, just to make two judges rich. It details a sinister pattern of abuse and bribery resulting in what the Juvenile Law Center calls “one of the largest and most serious violations of children’s rights in the history of the American legal system.” 

Shackled focuses on two corrupt judges, in Pennsylvania in the 2000s who concocted a plan to put kids away for cash in for-profit detention centers. The meticulous details offer a look into the repercussions of staying silent, of being complicit, and the judicial system that was never about rehabilitation but about exploitation and greed. The commentary from plaintiffs who were shackled and locked away are heartbreaking. Youth as young as ten years old were sent to wilderness camps or detention centers with obscene serving times as punishments for extremely menial crimes. The impact on the community is beyond measure, and as a reader you are flabbergasted at how this happened. 

The book is 172 pages with an engaging cover and the first chapter immediately hooks you with the arbitrary and cruel practices of the judges. Every detail is well-researched, and the plot easily follows the victims of this shameful court but uses the judges as the through-line so you are never lost or confused. Teens who liked Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, and Monster by Walter Dean Myers would enjoy this read. Readers could also watch the documentary “Kids for Cash” as a follow-up to the book for those intrigued by how such horrific crimes could be committed against so many children.

-TuesD Chambers

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2025) Feature Review: The Enigma Girls by Candace Fleming

When England entered World War II, all able-bodied women on the homefront were called up to support the war effort through war work. Some joined industrial trades or farming, while others were called up to join the armed forces in support roles. Many of these women, as young as 16 and 17 years old worked at various postings doing top secret work decrypting coded messages from the Axis powers to aid Allied forces in the effort to stop Hitler’s reign of terror over the European continent. In The Enigma Girls, Candace Fleming focuses on the stories of ten young women who started out as workers at locations including Bletchley Park, now famous for its prominent role in British code breaking efforts.

Starting in 1939 and moving chronologically through the events of the war, Fleming includes information about the various jobs that contributed to the code breaking effort: secret listeners, machine operators, translators, and indexers, to name a few. Sprinkled in are details of daily life, living in billeted accommodations, rationed meals, and even romance, all described in a conversational, easily accessible style. Interspersed between chapters, Fleming invites readers to learn the basics of breaking codes and ciphers, giving examples and tips on how this work is done. The book is generously illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Backmatter points interested readers to both primary and secondary sources, including the documentary series Station X, available for viewing on YouTube.

Hand to historical fiction fans of The White Rose by Kip Wilson, The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein, and Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazis’ Secret Code by Rebecca E. F. Barone.  

–Katy Henderson

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2025) Featured Review: Run and Hide: How Jewish Youth Escaped the Holocaust by Don Brown

  • Run and Hide: How Jewish Youth Escaped the Holocaust
  • by Don Brown
  • Clarion Books
  • Publication Date: October 10, 2023
  • ISBN-13: 9780358538165

Don Brown’s newest offering tells the true stories of Jewish children escaping the horrors of the Holocaust. Parents were forced to make a terrible choice – keep their children with them and risk death or send their children away knowing they would likely never see them again. Individual stories of children fleeing on organized train transports, hiding with sympathetic families, and traveling over mountains on foot are told. Some children had miraculous escapes, but many were not so lucky.

Nearly 90% of Jewish European children did not survive the Holocaust and Don Brown tells their stories with care and sensitivity while fully showing the devastation of the Holocaust. With stark, sketchy illustrations in muted tones, Brown captures the feeling of parents desperately trying to save their children and children fearing for their lives. While there are many books and graphic novels to be found on World War II and the Holocaust, the unique lens of children’s escapes sets this one apart. During a time when knowledge of the Holocaust is waning among young people, this is an important story to read.

After reading Run and Hide take a look at Don Brown’s other nonfiction work, such as 83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary. For other graphic novel depictions of the Holocaust and World War II, try Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman or Hour of Need: The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews During World War II by Ralph Shayne.

–Arianna Lechan

Other Nominated Titles

April 30, 2024
January 23, 2024

#ICYMI: 8 Books You Might Have Missed

It’s almost the end of 2023 and time to submit your last carts for the year!  If you find yourself with extra funds, here are some titles from the last two years that you might have missed. Some are from debut authors that snuck under the radar, while others are old favorites with new projects.

    • There’s No Way I’d Die First
    • By Lisa Springer
    • Delacorte Press: 2023
    • ISBN: 9780593643174

    This debut is for the horror-obsessed teen and pulls out all the tropes in what ends up being a campy, gory romp. If the tropes aren’t enough of a tell, each chapter starts with a quote from a horror movie and gives a hint to upcoming events. This is an homage to all the greats, with references to Stephen King, Scream, a killer clown with superhuman strength that rivals Michael Myers, and a heavy dose of teen drama. It also tries to tie in some political and social commentary and a hint of romance. Does this require suspension of belief? Yes. That’s the point. Hand to your older teens or your horror movie buffs.

    • Holly Horror
    • by Michelle Jabé Corpora
    • Penguin Workshop, 2023
    • ISBN: 9780593386217

    A scary take on our patchwork-clad, bonnet-wearing gal, Holly Hobbie. After her parents split, Evie’s mom moves the family back to her hometown and into the Horror House, so named because Holly vanished from it decades before. As Evie pokes around in the attic and discovers more of Holly’s story, weird things start to happen to her. The book ends on a cliff-hanger and readers will eagerly await book two. For younger teens that are more into supernatural mysteries, rather than slasher stories.

    • 16 & Pregnant
    • by LaLa Thomas
    • MTV Books, 2023
    • ISBN: 9781665917278

    If you are a millennial, you probably remember when this show first aired back in 2009. The show followed teens that found themselves pregnant and documented how their lives were impacted, eventually leading to the spin-off series, Teen Mom. Two teens find themselves dealing with a surprise pregnancy that derails their life plans. All options are discussed and the book does not shy away from health challenges that can accompany a pregnancy. This is an empowering story about friendship and parenthood. This is a great option for those looking for relatable stories about teen pregnancy, as well as viewers of the MTV show. This would also be a great option for parents and teens to read and discuss together.

    • Hotel Magnifique
    • by Emily J. Taylor
    • Razorbill, 2022
    • ISBN: 978059340515

    This 2022 debut is Caraval meets Howl’s Moving Castle and my favorite cover of 2022. This dark fantasy features a magical hotel that moves to a new place every night. Employees of the hotel are magically bound to service and although the hotel is gorgeous and luxurious, it’s a gilded prison. Franco-philes and fans of lush, character-driven fantasy will devour this. Additionally, the stunning cover makes this an easy book to hand-sell.

    • A Million to One
    • by Adiba Jaigirdar
    • Harperteen, 2022
    • ISBN: 978006291632

    Published right before the end of 2022, I think this one snuck past a lot of people. Take a diverse group of teens, put them on the Titanic and add in a heist. Jaigirdar’s previous YA novels have been sapphic romances–here she moves more into action and historical fiction territory. This reads quickly and is a nice option for younger teens that enjoy heists or books about the Titanic. 

    • Something More
    • by Jackie Khalileh
    • Tundra Books, 2023
    • ISBN: 9781774882139

    This romance is about a Palestinian-Canadian teen, newly diagnosed as autistic. She makes a list of all the things she wants to accomplish in high school before she graduates. She quickly learns there is no guidebook for matters of the heart when she finds herself caught between two guys. This is a refreshing take on the classic coming of age story.

    • The Grimoire of Grave Fates
    • by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen, et al.
    • Delacorte Press, 2023
    • ISBN: 9780593427453

    If you have teens looking for a Harry Potter-esque story, hand them this one. It checks all the boxes: a magical boarding school that flies around à la Howl’s Moving Castle or the aforementioned Hotel Magnifique, an evil professor, a murder mystery, and magical beasts. This isn’t really a short story collection, nor is it a traditional novel. Each chapter is by a different YA author and features a different character that propels the plot forward. Some stories are stronger than others–I need a whole book about Diego, please! This collaborative effort has something for everyone and is a great option for younger teens.

    • A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy
    • by Jeff Bishop
    • Putnam, 2022
    • ISBN: 9781984812940

    Don’t be fooled by the cotton candy cover!  This book is a lot of things–technically it’s speculative fiction. You could also consider it a romantic comedy. It should be about a boy having the best time of his life, the summer after his senior year. But ultimately, it’s about a boy that suffers a torn ACL, leaving him stuck on the couch recovering from surgery, while dealing with a really bad breakup with his girlfriend, who happens to be in a coma from a car accident, which makes it pretty weird that Cam can see and talk to her while on his sofa. Tandy is chaotic and will have you laughing and weeping, reminiscent of the John Hughes movies referenced throughout. This was my favorite debut of 2022 and one of my favorites of the year. Hand to your older teens– especially your broken-hearted high school seniors

    -Megan Nigh

    Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2024) Feature Review: Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation) by Steven Johnson

    • Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation)
    • by Steven Johnson
    • Publisher: Penguin
    • Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers
    • Release date: January 3, 2023 ISBN: 9780593351499

    Humans have doubled their life expectancy. Extra Life explores the scientific advancements that have prolonged human life, including vaccines, seat belts, and pesticides. It provides a deep dive into modern history and scientific advances, which not only informs, but also speculates on the impact this has on the planet and our future.

    With large font and interesting chapter titles, a hefty bibliography and index, this book also includes recommended reading and would be a perfect resource for basic science inquiries and the starting point for further topic investigations.

    Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary by Gail Jarrow, The Deadliest Diseases Then and Now by Deborah Hopkinson, and History Smashers: Plagues and and Pandemics by Kate Messner.

    -Lorrie Roussin

    Other Nominated Titles

    Release Date: April 11, 2023
    Release Date: April 18, 2023

    The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

    Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.