Celebrate Nonfiction

Exploring the Joy of Nonfiction Reading and Writing

5 Faves: Expository Nonfiction Recommended by Erika Victor

My
list of expository nonfiction faves is way longer than 5, so this was really
hard! I decided to focus on books that we can use for our ecosystems unit
(which overlaps our nonfiction reading/information writing and a bit of our
opinion writing units).

Cactus Hotel
by Brenda Z. Guiberson (Square Fish, 1991)

This
is an oldie but a goodie. It describes a fragile desert ecosystem so well. Who
says a cactus cannot be a main character?

Giant Squid
by Candace Fleming (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, 2016)

This
book entranced my students and really showed them the value of a strong lead in
writing. I love that it showcases one of the fascinating creatures in our world’s
ocean ecosystems. I have to get ahold of more of Candace’s nonfiction
books. 

If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, 2017)

I
always have a few students who love sharks! Last year a few even worked on
shark projects as their Genius Hour choice. I love how the interdependence of
living things is stressed in this book. 

Predator Face-Off  by Melissa Stewart (National Geographic, 2017)

Kids
love to learn about predators, and this book will really teach them about the
adaptations that make these predators so mighty. I love the photos with clear
labels. This will be a great mentor text for informational writing, and it shows
how the three different predators thrive in three different environments. This
book could be paired with the Who Would Win books that so many of my students
reread.

 

What Makes a Monster? Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by Jess Keating (Knopf, Penguin Random House, 2017)

I
know kids will love this book when I share it with them. It highlights 17
animals and includes information about where they live and how they survive in
their habitats. Using this book also gives me a good reason to talk up Jess’s
great website and YouTube channels. 

Erika Victor is a third grade
teacher lucky enough to work with international students in Malaysia. She loves
reading, writing, making, technology, and more! Her class loves connecting!
Find her at @ErikaMVictor and occasionally her class at @3EVclass.

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