Why I Write Expository Nonfiction by Jennifer Swanson
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Jennifer Swanson. Thank you, Jennifer. Are you a fan of the TV game show Jeopardy!®? I grew up watching it. One of the many reasons I love the show is that you […]
Resignation
Last week, Linda Sue Park, Laurie Halse Anderson, Meg Medina, and I resigned from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Board of Advisors and Equity & Inclusion Committee. My letter of resignation is below. I removed one person’s name to protect her privacy. When I was elected to the SCBWI Board of […]
How To Find Great Nonfiction Books: New Resources
When people ask me how to find great nonfiction books for kids, I typically list a half dozen national awards. But lately, I’ve noticed a new trend that’s worth mentioning—more and more states are beginning to create annual lists of favorite nonfiction books. The first of these is California’s Eureka! Nonfiction Book Award, which has been […]
Crafting We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac
I don’t usually review books on this blog, but once in a while, I see a book that does something so clever and exciting that I just have to highlight it. We Are Still Here!, which entered the world on April 20, is one of those books. It deserves all the attention we can give it. […]
Nonfiction 101: Answers to Your Burning Questions Handout
On April 17, I’ll be offering this workshop, which is hosted by SCBWI’s Southern Breeze Region. Here are some resources related to the questions submitted by attendees when they registered. Can you explain the different nonfiction markets? 5 Kinds of Nonfiction offers a more detailed discussion of the nonfiction categories as well as various aspects […]
An Innovative Resource for Teaching Informational Writing
Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-winning Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing has been out in the world for just about two month now, and I’m so excited by the reception it’s receiving from educators. Here’s what some of them are saying: Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite […]
Resources for Educators: What’s an Informational Book?
More and more, teachers are requesting educational resources that go beyond traditional teachers guides and activity sheets. So while I do still have those kinds of materials on my website, I’m also offering resources that delve deeply into the nonfiction reading and writing process from an author’s point of view. Some of these resources focus […]
Resources for Educators: Video Mini-lessons
As I mentioned last Monday, more and more, teachers seem to be requesting educational resources that go beyond traditional teachers guides and activity sheets. So while I do still have those kinds of materials on my website, I also offer resources that delve deeply into the nonfiction reading and writing process from an author’s point […]
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Active Nonfiction
Back in 2017, I proposed a five-category system for classifying children’s nonfiction on my blog, and the response was incredible. Teachers loved it. So did librarians and children’s book authors and editors. People praised the clarity it brought to the range of children’s nonfiction available today. In May 2018, School Library Journal published an article […]
My Heart Is So Full!
NCTE is always a wonderful conference, but this year was extra special. Editors Carol Hinz and Shaina Olmanson of Lerner along with editor Melissa Manlove of Chronicle organized an informal Nonfiction Salon on Saturday morning. And look who showed up . . . But that’s not all. Thanks to Jen Swanson’s prodding, this photo was […]