NF10for10 2016: Nonfiction Books as Mentor Texts for Writing
This is the first time I’m doing a 10 for 10 post as a librarian instead of a classroom teacher. There are a few differences in this: 1) I’m in a position now where people are asking for book recommendations on a daily basis, and 2) I am in a position where I’m reading the same book multiple times. If I choose to read a book to third grade, it has to be a book I love enough to read aloud and hook them and absorb ME for seven readings.
The books that I chose for this year’s list are books are all nonfiction that completely absorbed me. They are delightful as read alouds and they are stellar examples of nonfiction writing.
For each book, I’ve highlighted writing craft that I particularly like.
Most of these books are strong in specific word choice, which I refer to as “specificity.” For me, this means that the author uses domain-specific language. One of the treasures of these books is that none of these books use the words like vocabulary words, but they use words that true to the world they are writing about.
Written and Illustrated by Bethany Barton
Viking, 2015
* Voice
* Specificity in word choice
* Tone
Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel
Tundra Books, 2015
* Voice
* Specificity
* Tone
I also recommend reading both of these spider books and having a discussion about how two authors chose to write about the same topic.
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear
By Lindsay Mattock
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Little, Brown, 2015
* Word choice
* Dual Narrative
* Lyrical language
I also read this book alongside Winnie by Sally M. Walker. Students discussed how two authors took the same topic and wrote about it. They especially noted how they started the stories in different places.
How to Swallow a Pig: Step by Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom
By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Houghton Mifflin, 2015
* Point of view
* Organization (How-To Text)
* Alliteration
* World Play
* Specificity in word choice
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
By Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Emily Sutton
Candlewick, 2014
* Specificity in word choice
* Imagery
* Sentence variety
Leaflets Three, Let it Be! The Story of Poison Ivy
By Anita Sanchez
Illustrated by Robin Brickman
Boyds Mills Press, 2014
* Vivid Verbs
* Specificity in word choice
* Adjectives
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
By Laurel Snyder
Illustrated by Julie Morstad
Chronicle, 2015
* Lyrical language
* Alliteration
* Vivid Verbs
* Rhythm
Water is Water: A Book about the Water Cycle
By Miranda Paul
Illustrated by Jason Chin
Neil Porter: Roaring Brook, 2015
* Vivid verbs
* Word Play
* Specificity in word choice
* Rhythm
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France
By Mara Rockliff
Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Candlewick, 2015
* Specificity in word choice
* Vivid Verbs
* Voice
* Tone
By Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015
* Voice
* Specificity in word choice
* Refrain (repetition)
* Personal narrative
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Previous 10for10 Posts
Poetic Nonfiction Picture Books
4 Comments
Carrie Gelson
You have many of my favourites here too. Water is Water is so beautifully written and illustrated. Such a treasure.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes! I love that book. If you aren’t familiar with all of Miranda’s PB’s, be sure to check out WHOSE HANDS ARE THESE and ONE PLASTIC BAG. I love her work! 🙂
Cathy
Marcie,
I’m so glad you have shared your titles with our #nf10for10 community. Recommending as a media specialist probably widens your lens as you recommend to students across grade levels. Loved your list! One of my favorites is “I’m Trying to Love Spiders.” You have many newer titles well worth checking out.
Thank you,
Cathy
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks for reading! I have have loved diving into new NF PBs this school year. 🙂