The following list
includes some of my favorite recent expository nonfiction reads.
Animals at Night by Anne Jankeliowitch (Sourcebooks, 2017)
In this book,
readers will learn what many animals do at night. There are many reasons I’m
excited to share this with my students. First, there is a lot of factual
information about a variety of animals. I could see teachers using this book at
the beginning of an animal study and students using it to gather more
information about a specific animal. Second, I love how the animals are
presented in their natural habitat. Each double page spread is a different
habitat including the forest, the riverbank, fields and orchards, a country
road, the mountains, the garden and many more. Finally, there are
glow-in-the-dark pictures on every page. I wonder how many students are going
to try finding dark rooms to read this book in?!
readers will learn what many animals do at night. There are many reasons I’m
excited to share this with my students. First, there is a lot of factual
information about a variety of animals. I could see teachers using this book at
the beginning of an animal study and students using it to gather more
information about a specific animal. Second, I love how the animals are
presented in their natural habitat. Each double page spread is a different
habitat including the forest, the riverbank, fields and orchards, a country
road, the mountains, the garden and many more. Finally, there are
glow-in-the-dark pictures on every page. I wonder how many students are going
to try finding dark rooms to read this book in?!
Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart (Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster, 2017)
In this very
creative book, Melissa uses rhyme and repetition to teach readers how animals
communicate. There are several things that I love about this book that I know will
have students coming back to it time and time again. First, there is a wide
variety of animals shared throughout the book. This is another book that I
could see teachers using at the beginning of an animal study and students using
it to gather more information about a specific animal. Second, the format is
consistent throughout the book with great pictures. I love how Melissa
introduces a sound with a question, tells the reader how a specific animal
communicates, and then shares several other animals that make the same sound but for different reasons.
Last, I think this book will intrigue students to find other animals that speak
in similar ways or to create new categories of sounds that animals use to
communicate.
creative book, Melissa uses rhyme and repetition to teach readers how animals
communicate. There are several things that I love about this book that I know will
have students coming back to it time and time again. First, there is a wide
variety of animals shared throughout the book. This is another book that I
could see teachers using at the beginning of an animal study and students using
it to gather more information about a specific animal. Second, the format is
consistent throughout the book with great pictures. I love how Melissa
introduces a sound with a question, tells the reader how a specific animal
communicates, and then shares several other animals that make the same sound but for different reasons.
Last, I think this book will intrigue students to find other animals that speak
in similar ways or to create new categories of sounds that animals use to
communicate.
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, 2017)
In this book,
readers will learn all about the history of the Grand Canyon through its
regions and the habitats. There are several reasons why I can’t wait to share
this beautiful book with my students. First, the amount of research that Jason
includes in this book is amazing. Although I am a New Englander, I felt like
I had been to the Grand Canyon after reading this book. Beyond learning
about the Grand Canyon, I could see this book being used when learning about
erosion and habitats/biomes. Second, the illustrations! Each page is beautiful.
I can see students having a different experience each time they open this book
because of the details in the artwork. Finally, the back matter provides many
resources for readers who want to further their study of the Grand Canyon.
After reading this book, I know many will!
readers will learn all about the history of the Grand Canyon through its
regions and the habitats. There are several reasons why I can’t wait to share
this beautiful book with my students. First, the amount of research that Jason
includes in this book is amazing. Although I am a New Englander, I felt like
I had been to the Grand Canyon after reading this book. Beyond learning
about the Grand Canyon, I could see this book being used when learning about
erosion and habitats/biomes. Second, the illustrations! Each page is beautiful.
I can see students having a different experience each time they open this book
because of the details in the artwork. Finally, the back matter provides many
resources for readers who want to further their study of the Grand Canyon.
After reading this book, I know many will!
Poison: Deadly Deeds,Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines by Sarah
Albee (Crown, 2017)
Albee (Crown, 2017)
In Sarah’s latest
book, she shares the role poison has played throughout history. Just like in
her previous books, I know I won’t be able to keep this one on the shelf.
I love Sarah’s books for many different reasons. First, there’s a wealth
of research presented using many different nonfiction features. There are short
stories, sidebars, photos, illustrations, and much more. Second, each chapter
centers around a different time period in history. This format allows students
the opportunity to read a chapter at a time and not have to read the book cover
to cover. The next thing I love about Sarah’s writing is her humor. It’s on
every page. Sarah’s humor makes a difficult subject more accessible to readers.
Finally, there’s a ton of great information in the front and back matter, including
a table of contents, author’s note, bibliography, research guide, and index.
book, she shares the role poison has played throughout history. Just like in
her previous books, I know I won’t be able to keep this one on the shelf.
I love Sarah’s books for many different reasons. First, there’s a wealth
of research presented using many different nonfiction features. There are short
stories, sidebars, photos, illustrations, and much more. Second, each chapter
centers around a different time period in history. This format allows students
the opportunity to read a chapter at a time and not have to read the book cover
to cover. The next thing I love about Sarah’s writing is her humor. It’s on
every page. Sarah’s humor makes a difficult subject more accessible to readers.
Finally, there’s a ton of great information in the front and back matter, including
a table of contents, author’s note, bibliography, research guide, and index.
What Makes a Monster? Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by Jess Keating (Knopf, 2017)
In the second book
of her World of Weird Animals series, Jess highlights creatures that are
considered monsters. There are several things that I love about this book.
First, the information is given in multiple text layers. There is a description
that tells the reader a little about each creature. Then there’s a blurb that
shares myths, legends, and facts. Finally, there’s a sidebar of factual
information about the creature. Second, the layout is consistent throughout
with stunning pictures. I can see my students picking this book up and learning
new information each time they skim the pages. Last, the back matter is full of
great information, including critical questions and a glossary.
of her World of Weird Animals series, Jess highlights creatures that are
considered monsters. There are several things that I love about this book.
First, the information is given in multiple text layers. There is a description
that tells the reader a little about each creature. Then there’s a blurb that
shares myths, legends, and facts. Finally, there’s a sidebar of factual
information about the creature. Second, the layout is consistent throughout
with stunning pictures. I can see my students picking this book up and learning
new information each time they skim the pages. Last, the back matter is full of
great information, including critical questions and a glossary.
Jason Lewis (@jasontes5th) is a
5th grade teacher at Tyngsboro Elementary School in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Jason’s
participation in the Nerdy Book Club has positively impacted the way he teaches
and has introduced him to outstanding people he calls friends. When not
reading, talking about books, or attending Nerdcamp in NNE, LI, and MI, Jason
can be found at the baseball field or basketball court with his boys or trying
to tire out his one-year-old chocolate lab.
5th grade teacher at Tyngsboro Elementary School in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Jason’s
participation in the Nerdy Book Club has positively impacted the way he teaches
and has introduced him to outstanding people he calls friends. When not
reading, talking about books, or attending Nerdcamp in NNE, LI, and MI, Jason
can be found at the baseball field or basketball court with his boys or trying
to tire out his one-year-old chocolate lab.
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