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If you think nonfiction books are just textbooks and timelines, think again. From biographies that bring history to life to science books that make volcanoes explode off the page, nonfiction books are a classroom superpower!

Research shows that just 15 minutes a day with informational books can boost reading and critical thinking skills across all subjects. It takes lessons from the whiteboard to their reading time. According to Scholastic, 78% of kids say they like reading books that teach them something new. 

With nonfiction, students don’t just read, they explore, investigate, question, and connect. So whether you’re teaching future astronauts, animal lovers, or social justice warriors, there’s a nonfiction book waiting to spark curiosity. Our BookPal Book Experts have compiled a list of nonfiction teacher and student favorites by age and interest. Together, let’s break the myth: nonfiction books are anything but boring. 

Elementary School

STEM-ulating Reads for Curious Minds:

Who says science, technology, engineering, and math can’t shine in the spotlight? These STEM books spark curiosity and big questions, showing kids how the world really works. Get ready to have your students geeking out over glowing energy, blasting off into space, or building wacky inventions.

With stories of real-life innovators, these reads prove that STEM isn’t just about numbers and formulas; it’s about creativity, problem-solving, and seeing the magic in everyday life. 

1. Light: The Extraordinary Energy That Illuminates Our World by Jess Wade
2. Smash, Crash, Topple, Roll!: The Inventive Rube Goldberg-A Life in Comics, Contraptions, and Six Simple Machines by Catherine Thimmesh
3. Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors by Dana Marie Miroballi
4. How to be an Astronaut and Other Space Jobs by Dr. Sheila Kanani
5. The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure by Thor Hanson
6. The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauer
7. I Am Money by Julia Cook and Garrett Gunderson
8. The Atlas of Languages: Words Around the World by Rachel Lancashire

Big Dreams and Bold Biographies:

These true stories prove that heroes don’t wear capes, they wear crowns, chef hats, running shoes, and sometimes even smokejumping gear. From barrier-breaking judges like Ketanji Brown Jackson to musical legends like Yo-Yo Ma, these books shine a spotlight on courage, compassion, and creativity in action.

Young readers will fall in love with these real-life people because biographies like these don’t just teach history, they help students see themselves in stories and dream bigger! 

1. Your Crown Shines: For Ketanji Brown Jackson and You by Jessica Care Moore
2. Legendary Heroes: Epic Characters from Across the Ages by DK
3. The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World by James Howe
4. Ablaze: The Story of America's First Female Smokejumper by Jessica Lawson
5. A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen by Erin Frankel
6. Mystery Driver: The Story of Alice Johnson and the First Soap Box Derby by Elizabeth Tracy
7. Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez by Belen Medina
8. The Girl Who Figured It Out: The Inspiring True Story of Wheelchair Athlete Minda Dentler Becoming an Ironman World Champion by Minda Dentler

Page-Turners for Pop Culture Fans:

From stadiums to stage lights, these books celebrate the stars kids already admire, making reading feel like front-row access to their favorite icons. Whether it’s singing along with Taylor Swift, cheering on Caitlin Clark courtside, or learning how LeBron James became a legend on and off the court, these stories are packed with inspiration and serious star power. 

Perfect for reluctant readers and super-fans alike, pop culture biographies show students that greatness comes in all genres and that their heroes have worked hard for the spotlight. 

1. Who is Taylor Swift? by Kirsten Anderson
2. Chappell Roan: A Little Golden Book Biography by Cat Reynolds
3. Elvis Presley: A Little Golden Book Biography by Lisa Jean Rogers
4. Epic Athletes: Caitlin Clark by Dan Wetzel
5. Who Is Travis Kelce? by Ellen Labrecque
6. I am Dolly Parton by Brad Meltzer
7. Who Is Harry Styles? by Kirsten Anderson
8. Beyond the Game: LeBron James by Andrew Maraniss

Hands-On With History:

History isn’t just about dates and dusty textbooks. It’s about powerful people, fascinating cultures, and stories that shaped the world we live in today. Whether students are soaring through the skies with aviation pioneers, exploring the wonders of Ancient Egypt, or marching alongside disability rights heroes, these books make the past come alive off the pages. 

History books show young readers how far we’ve come and why certain moments still matter. It also shows them how they can be a part of shaping the future!

1. The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
2. Fighting for YES!: The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
3. The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II by Debbie Levy
4. So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story by Anne Wynter
5. Ancient Egypt by DK
6. Up, Up, and Away: The History of Aviation by Tomas Smot Svoboda
7. The U.S. Constitution and You by Syl Sobel J.D.
8. What Was the Renaissance? by Roberta Edwards

Middle School:

Middle schoolers are deep thinkers and ready to explore the world beyond their own. Stocking nonfiction books at this age gives them a chance to connect with real stories of courage, resilience, and discovery. Across all interests, these books help students expand their worldview and develop critical thinking skills to help them through the transformative middle school years. Nonfiction in middle school isn’t just educational, it’s empowering.

1. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
2. All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
3. It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah
4. Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ True Stories of Disability and Determination by Melissa Hart
5. Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers by Ibram X. Kendi
6. Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr.
7. At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly
8. Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
9. The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix
10. Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb: Young Readers Edition of AMERICAN PROMETHEUS: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

High School:

High school is when students start asking big questions and solidifying their passions, and nonfiction helps them find real answers. From the complexities of identity and activism to science, history, and creativity, these nonfiction reads offer a powerful perspective that will stick with all students. With titles that challenge, inspire, and inform, this collection helps high schoolers better understand the world and their place in it. 

1. The Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults): Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America by Lauren Markham
2. Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson
3. Flowers in the Gutter: The True Story of the Edelweiss Pirates, Teenagers Who Resisted the Nazis by K. R. Gaddy
4. Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
5. The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults): Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby
6. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
7. Breaking the Chains: African American Slave Resistance by William Loren Katz
8. The Story of More (Adapted for Young Adults): How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here by Hope Jahren
9. Caste (Adapted for Young Adults) by Isabel Wilkerson
10. King: A Life (Young Adult Edition) by Jonathan Eig

Nonfiction books open the door to real-world learning and endless curiosity, no matter the grade level. If you’re ready to stock your classroom shelves with any of these inspiring reads, you can request a quote, and an account manager will be happy to help you find the perfect fit. Because when it comes to engaging students… the facts speak for themselves!