Nonfiction for Elementary and Middle School Students

Grades K-5

In Search of the Little Prince: The Story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - Bimba Landmann
As a child, Antoine dreamed of flying. His dream was realized when he became a pilot, first serving France during World War I, then working as an international mail courier. As he wrote letters to his family describing the foreign countries he visited, he soon discovered that writing contained its own sense of adventure. His stories showed a childlike fascination with the world, culminating with The Little Prince, one of the best-selling books ever published.

Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes - Nicola Davies
Looks at all the different microbes that inhabit the Earth and examines the varied jobs they do.



Hello, I'm Johnny Cash - Greg Neri
A portrait of the legendary country music star is told through lyrical free verse that conveys information about his impoverished childhood and the extraordinary talent that enabled his career and rise to success on the world stage.

Volcano Rising - Elizabeth Rusch
Discusses volcanoes, describing what happens when they erupt, and highlighting eruptions throughout history.


Twenty-Two Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank - Paula Yoo
A biography of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who from a young age was determined to make difference in the world and eventually revolutionized global antipoverty efforts by developing the innovative economic concept of micro-lending. Includes an afterword and author's sources.


 Grades 6-8

Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time - Dr. Mike Goldsmith
Describes how some of the most important scientific discoveries and theories came about and offers insights into the lives of the scientists who made the contributions.

Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives - Elizabeth Rusch
An account of the work of volcanologists Andy Lockhart, John Pallister, and their team describes their life-risking efforts to investigate dangerous volcanoes that pose threats to more than one billion people worldwide.

La Malinche: The Princess Who Helped Cortés Conquer the Aztec Empire - Francisco Serrano
Examines the life and legacy of Princess Malinali, a Nahuatl princess from the coast lands of Tabasco who used her knowledge of Maya, Nahuatl, and Spanish languages to act as an interpreter when her kingdom was at war with the Aztec Empire.


Try This! 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You - Karen Romano Young
Provides background information and instructions for fifty science projects involving plants, insects, microbes, human behavior, animals, water, physics, machinery, and other topics, and suggests further ideas to pursue.