I hear a version of this line from ELA teachers a lot: “I know I should teach using more nonfiction text, but…” This statement is generally finished off with something like:
- “I’m not comfortable with the genre.”
- “Students just don’t seem to get into it.”
- “I can’t find the right nonfiction texts to use.”
- “I don’t know what kind of reading lessons to teach with nonfiction.”
I can relate to all the statements above. Nonfiction isn’t a genre a naturally gravitate toward as an ELA teacher. I love to read novels and analyze the intricacies of fiction. After 14 years in the middle school ELA classroom though, there is something I can’t deny: There is power in picture books. Yes, you heard me right! I love picture books, and my middle school students do, too.
One of my favorite genres of picture books that are relatable and engaging to middle school students is narrative nonfiction. Narrative nonfiction is based on a real person or event that the author brings to life through a story. There are details about the setting, character development, dialogue, and all the other gems that I love about fiction, BUT the information in the text is nonfiction.
Narrative nonfiction texts make great interactive read alouds, but they also can be used for independent reading and small group reading instruction such as guided reading, literature circles, or reading strategy groups.
I’m going to introduce you to TWELVE of my favorite narrative nonfiction picture books for the middle school ELA classroom below.
Jars of Hope by Jennifer Roy
Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson
Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Shelton Young and Raul Colon
The Unbreakable Code by Sara Hoagland Hunter
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven
Unstoppable by Art Coulson
Hedy’s Journey by Michelle Bisson
A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson
A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
If you want to take narrative nonfiction to the next level and are ready to go “all in” with a Narrative Nonfiction Reading Unit designed for middle school students, please check mine out by clicking here. It includes 20 reading lessons designed to dig deep into the genre of narrative nonfiction while covering the nonfiction reading standards. Check out the unit plan below with the lesson statements.
