Today,
I am excited beyond words to feature a powerful post by award-winning author
Jess Keating. Thank you, Jess.
As a writer of both
fiction and nonfiction, I experience a lot of variety when it comes to readers.
Some kids prefer stories and narrative, while others embrace facts and figures.
Both are equally valid, but as a society, we often send the message that
stories and storytelling are the key
to connecting with others. How do we connect with friends or share parts of
ourselves? We tell stories. It’s something we’ve been doing since the dawn of
humanity.
fiction and nonfiction, I experience a lot of variety when it comes to readers.
Some kids prefer stories and narrative, while others embrace facts and figures.
Both are equally valid, but as a society, we often send the message that
stories and storytelling are the key
to connecting with others. How do we connect with friends or share parts of
ourselves? We tell stories. It’s something we’ve been doing since the dawn of
humanity.
Right?
But what about the kids
whose strengths don’t connect them like this?
whose strengths don’t connect them like this?
When
we portray narrative as the most powerful way of connecting to each other,
we’re leaving out a lot of kids. To dig into this, we need to look at
the hidden benefits of expository nonfiction. To avoid generalizing kids and
their tastes, I’ll use myself as an example.
we portray narrative as the most powerful way of connecting to each other,
we’re leaving out a lot of kids. To dig into this, we need to look at
the hidden benefits of expository nonfiction. To avoid generalizing kids and
their tastes, I’ll use myself as an example.
I was a “nonfiction”
kid. STEM-focused. Analytical. I loved facts and figures, and clear diagrams
labeling what something was, how it lived, and so on. Don’t get me wrong—I
loved stories (and still do!). But stories aren’t as easy to share, especially
when you’re learning the ins and outs of your social world. If you’ve ever seen
someone fumble the punch line of a joke (or done so yourself!), you know that
even short narratives have their dangers. Some kids intuitively grasp narrative
and become storytellers from a young age. But what about the rest?
kid. STEM-focused. Analytical. I loved facts and figures, and clear diagrams
labeling what something was, how it lived, and so on. Don’t get me wrong—I
loved stories (and still do!). But stories aren’t as easy to share, especially
when you’re learning the ins and outs of your social world. If you’ve ever seen
someone fumble the punch line of a joke (or done so yourself!), you know that
even short narratives have their dangers. Some kids intuitively grasp narrative
and become storytellers from a young age. But what about the rest?
In
contrast, expository nonfiction is easy to share. And when something is easy to
share, it has incredible social benefits.
contrast, expository nonfiction is easy to share. And when something is easy to
share, it has incredible social benefits.
Think of how you feel
when you’re attending a cocktail party, or some function where you don’t know a
lot of people, but want to make a good impression. That’s what it’s like every
day for kids, especially at school. The stakes are high. They want and need to
connect socially, but for those STEM-focused, “facts and figures” kids, narrative
is easy to botch. It can also require long stretches of time, uninterrupted. Yikes.
when you’re attending a cocktail party, or some function where you don’t know a
lot of people, but want to make a good impression. That’s what it’s like every
day for kids, especially at school. The stakes are high. They want and need to
connect socially, but for those STEM-focused, “facts and figures” kids, narrative
is easy to botch. It can also require long stretches of time, uninterrupted. Yikes.
Enter expository
nonfiction, to save the day. Well crafted
expository nonfiction is all punch
line:
nonfiction, to save the day. Well crafted
expository nonfiction is all punch
line:
“Did you know sea
cucumbers breathe out their butts?”
cucumbers breathe out their butts?”
This is a fact I
share with many kids, and their response is instantaneous: they love it. But
more than that, it becomes immediately apparent that they want to share it. It’s neat. It’s fun. It’s just
edgy enough to sound cool. For those kids, this simple, goofy fact is more than
a fact: it’s social ammunition. It’s a doorway to open a conversation, make an
impression with another kid, or catapult to a belly laugh with someone.
share with many kids, and their response is instantaneous: they love it. But
more than that, it becomes immediately apparent that they want to share it. It’s neat. It’s fun. It’s just
edgy enough to sound cool. For those kids, this simple, goofy fact is more than
a fact: it’s social ammunition. It’s a doorway to open a conversation, make an
impression with another kid, or catapult to a belly laugh with someone.
It’s a way to express
some part of themselves, or their
personality, that’s handy, simple to share, and extremely adaptable. Different
kids will embrace different subjects, and that’s perfect. There should be
enough expository nonfiction to fit every kid’s personality and interests.
some part of themselves, or their
personality, that’s handy, simple to share, and extremely adaptable. Different
kids will embrace different subjects, and that’s perfect. There should be
enough expository nonfiction to fit every kid’s personality and interests.
By
giving kids quality expository nonfiction, we give them access to more than
just facts: we give them confidence. Confidence to start
a discussion or join in on one. Confidence to connect with someone who has a
similar mindset. A solid tidbit that embodies a kid’s personality can be just
as engaging as a new outfit, fancy shoes, or a well-timed story shared around
the lunch table.
giving kids quality expository nonfiction, we give them access to more than
just facts: we give them confidence. Confidence to start
a discussion or join in on one. Confidence to connect with someone who has a
similar mindset. A solid tidbit that embodies a kid’s personality can be just
as engaging as a new outfit, fancy shoes, or a well-timed story shared around
the lunch table.
As a child, I felt a
rush of excitement when I learned some new fact or figure. That fact was mine. I owned it. I couldn’t wait to
share it, and more than that, I felt like I
was participating in real science, just by knowing something and passing it
along. It’s a remarkable feeling for a kid.
rush of excitement when I learned some new fact or figure. That fact was mine. I owned it. I couldn’t wait to
share it, and more than that, I felt like I
was participating in real science, just by knowing something and passing it
along. It’s a remarkable feeling for a kid.
Confidence is great,
but what else? We’re also sending another important message when we share
expository nonfiction with students. We’re telling kids that facts alone can be
enough. No window dressing, no intros
or poignant endings. We’re saying that facts can be wondrous enough to be
meaningful. Truth, at its core, is more
than enough and deserves our attention.
but what else? We’re also sending another important message when we share
expository nonfiction with students. We’re telling kids that facts alone can be
enough. No window dressing, no intros
or poignant endings. We’re saying that facts can be wondrous enough to be
meaningful. Truth, at its core, is more
than enough and deserves our attention.
This might seem like
a small point, but consider that this is how many kids see the world. By not focusing
enough attention on expository nonfiction, are we tacitly telling kids who
connect with it that their strengths and perspectives don’t matter?
a small point, but consider that this is how many kids see the world. By not focusing
enough attention on expository nonfiction, are we tacitly telling kids who
connect with it that their strengths and perspectives don’t matter?
By
invalidating or underestimating expository nonfiction, we also invalidate and
underestimate the kids that speak this language: the language of
facts, figures, statistics, and patterns. Every kid should feel like the lens
through which they see the world is valid, and better yet, exciting. Expository nonfiction validates kids as seekers in their world, and encourages
them to pursue their goals (particularly in STEM fields). It shows kids that
their worldview is valuable, and just
as worthy of attention and interest as that of any other kid.
invalidating or underestimating expository nonfiction, we also invalidate and
underestimate the kids that speak this language: the language of
facts, figures, statistics, and patterns. Every kid should feel like the lens
through which they see the world is valid, and better yet, exciting. Expository nonfiction validates kids as seekers in their world, and encourages
them to pursue their goals (particularly in STEM fields). It shows kids that
their worldview is valuable, and just
as worthy of attention and interest as that of any other kid.
Another
hidden benefit of quality expository nonfiction lies in its essence: with it,
we say that some things are knowable. To an adult, this
isn’t that big of a deal. But think back to when you were a kid. How much of
your life was really knowable? With friend dramas, teachers, parents, difficult
school subjects, and the stressors of life, what could you depend on no matter
what? Suddenly, a solid truth feels like a hug.
hidden benefit of quality expository nonfiction lies in its essence: with it,
we say that some things are knowable. To an adult, this
isn’t that big of a deal. But think back to when you were a kid. How much of
your life was really knowable? With friend dramas, teachers, parents, difficult
school subjects, and the stressors of life, what could you depend on no matter
what? Suddenly, a solid truth feels like a hug.
Life can be tough and
uncertain for a lot of kids, and solid facts and figures can provide a foothold
in an otherwise rough climb. With STEM-focused expository nonfiction, we’re
showing kids that something can be trusted and learned through a reliable
method. Chimpanzees use tools. Earth orbits around the Sun. Every known thing builds a picture of reality
that can help stabilize a tumultuous inner world.
uncertain for a lot of kids, and solid facts and figures can provide a foothold
in an otherwise rough climb. With STEM-focused expository nonfiction, we’re
showing kids that something can be trusted and learned through a reliable
method. Chimpanzees use tools. Earth orbits around the Sun. Every known thing builds a picture of reality
that can help stabilize a tumultuous inner world.
Not all kids will
relate to this, but for those who do, there’s a quiet confidence to be found in
knowing how trees release oxygen for the rest of us to breathe. Expository
nonfiction can be a social tool, a validating perspective, and an emotional balance.
relate to this, but for those who do, there’s a quiet confidence to be found in
knowing how trees release oxygen for the rest of us to breathe. Expository
nonfiction can be a social tool, a validating perspective, and an emotional balance.
I meet expository-loving
kids every day. Sometimes they’re quiet. Sometimes they’re class clowns. But
all of them deserve to feel like their strengths and world view are valuable.
Representation matters, in all facets of the word. By including expository
nonfiction on our bookshelves, we’re one step closer.
As a zoologist turned
middle grade and picture book author, Jess
Keating has been sprayed by skunks, bitten by crocodiles, and been a victim
to the dreaded paper cut. She is the author of the acclaimed ‘My Life is a Zoo’
series, as well as the award-winning and quirky ‘World of Weird Animals’
series, which kicked off with Pink is for
Blobfish.
kids every day. Sometimes they’re quiet. Sometimes they’re class clowns. But
all of them deserve to feel like their strengths and world view are valuable.
Representation matters, in all facets of the word. By including expository
nonfiction on our bookshelves, we’re one step closer.
As a zoologist turned
middle grade and picture book author, Jess
Keating has been sprayed by skunks, bitten by crocodiles, and been a victim
to the dreaded paper cut. She is the author of the acclaimed ‘My Life is a Zoo’
series, as well as the award-winning and quirky ‘World of Weird Animals’
series, which kicked off with Pink is for
Blobfish.
Her first picture book biography, Shark Lady, was published this year. Jess has a Masters of Science,
a love of nerdy documentaries, and a pile of books threatening to take over her
house.
a love of nerdy documentaries, and a pile of books threatening to take over her
house.
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13 Responses
Love every word of this. Thanks for all your focus on expository fiction lately, Melissa, and thank you for this powerful post, Jess!
Ok, I had to stop reading and google "sea cucumbers" because I needed to know more NOW. To me, that is the extreme power of quality expository nonfiction. It always leaves you wanting to know more (as well as to verify – wait, did I really just read that! Such a great post, Jess Keating. I love "Pink is for Blobfish" and just had not YET made the connection!
As someone who consistently fumbles punch lines of jokes, I can relate to everything you wrote and put the URL on my writer FB page. Thanks for an excellent post.
This is great, Jess and Melissa. Thank you.
I'm someone who prefers narrative, but I had many students who preferred expository. My son also loves expository books so I see their benefit every day.
Wow, do I love this piece!
I️ can relate. My brother called me Bertha Biology growing up because I️ was always spouting facts about plants and animals.
I love this post in so many ways, I don't know where to start. As a writer, this is awesome, and as a mother to a son who is the king of spouting facts for conversation, this just hit me in the absolute right spot. Thank you.
Hear, hear!!! I love expository NF (and narrative NF too!) I love how both you and Melissa have been leading the conversation on bias against expository nf. Some kids just prefer data & facts, and they tend to be the reluctant readers. But hand them some expository nf, and they're in their element and their confidence grows. Choice is so important. Love your books, Jess, and yours too, Melissa! I so wish I could attend your panels at NCTE!! Will you publish a transcript of any kind for those of us who are not able to attend, but are so interested too?
That would be great! And I'm excited that my first work of expository nonfiction will be releasing in April from Boyds Mills Press: Terrific Tongues!! Can't wait!!
No, there are no recordings or transcripts of NCTE programs because they want people to come to the conference. But I imagine that most of what we will say is similar to what I've been posting on my blog and in recent articles on A Fuse 8 Production and in the November issue of Booklist. And I know that you are a loyal reader, Maria. Thank you for your support.
Congratulations, Maria! Melissa, thank you for this great share!
Thanks for continuing this line of inquiry, Melissa. I'm loving it. And Jess, I'm so pleased to see NF and confidence joined together. Well said!
Fantastic article! So many good points made by Jess here. Thanks for sharing.
Jess, this is like a manifesto for nonfiction writing. Take the plant, walk out of the room, and I am totally following you!