The best middle grade non-fiction is just as absorbing as middle grade fiction. My favorite brand of middle grade non-fiction is memoirs, especially graphic memoirs. I also enjoy the “self-help” genre, such as books geared to help kids write better, improve their entrepreneurial methods, or find better friendships. But there are so many kinds of nonfiction books for middle schoolers and upper elementary kids. If you’re looking to add more middle grade non-fiction to your reading list, then this list will help. I’ve included food books, graphic memoirs, historical stories, fascinating deep dives on unique topics, books to help kids write better, and much more.
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The Best Middle Grade Non-Fiction Books
Here are 40 best middle-grade nonfiction books:
Novelty/Coffee Table/Fact Books
If you have kids who enjoy fact books or coffee table style books, here are some options for them.
How It Happened! Pizza
Published: November 7, 2023
As a fan of a good pizza, this non-fiction book grabbed me from the cover. I was delighted to learn facts about pizza I didn’t even know I was curious about—like where its major components originated and the differences between pizza sold by franchises worldwide. Did you know tomatoes were first grown in South America and not Italy? This charming release has easy-to-read text, real pictures, illustrations, and fact pages that grab young readers’ attention. I’d recommend it for ages 9+
The Handbook of Forgotten Skills: Timeless Fun for a New Generation
Published: August 1, 2023
Did the adults in your life teach you how to change a bicycle tire? Or to use a compass? How about gift wrapping? Or writing a thank you note? There’s so much that kids today don’t know how to do—so many useful life skills (and some that are just fun, like coin tricks 🤭). I love the pictures and easy-to-follow directions in this book! My husband already learned how to do one coin trick and is going to have so much fun showing off with the littles we know. Great for ages 9+
Transported: 50 Vehicles That Changed the World
Published: October 3, 2023
A fascinating book about the vehicles that have shaped our world, written by narrowboat captain and children’s author Matt Ralphs, with stunning color illustrations on every page by Rui Ricardo. From ancient chariots and Viking longships to racing cars, rockets, and solar-powered airplanes, our world has been changed by the pioneering development of many incredible vehicles. This book is absolutely breathtaking and the perfect coffee table book for engineering-curious readers (or anyone) to flip through when they feel the need. Perfect for ages 9+
Barbie
Published: October 1, 2023
2023 seemed like the year Barbie was everywhere, and this coffee table book celebrates the doll’s fascinating 65-year history. Tweens and teens might not know that when Barbie made her debut in the 1950s, she represented a woman with interests outside the home–something completely revolutionary in those days. The book explores how generations of girls have explored their own dreams through playing in Barbie’s world. Ages 9+
Listified!: Britannica’s 300 lists that will blow your mind
Published: September 7, 2021
Is the Encyclopedia Britannica too stuffy for you? This book,also from Britannica, has all the useful facts but packaged in fun and quirky lists that explain cool concepts from a unique perspective (for example – planet sizes, if they were vegetables), accompanied by hilarious illustrations that will keep all kids engaged and excited to share with others. Ages 9+
Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods
Published September 12, 2023
Author Grace Lin has put together a comprehensive, delicious, and delightful feast for the eyes, mind, and soul. From the questions you’ve always asked when reading an American Chinese restaurant menu (Who exactly is General Tso? Why did Buddha jump over the wall?) to the questions you might not have thought to ask (what are chopstick taboos?), this beautiful, bestselling book will provide foodie readers with all the answers. Just note: one side effect of reading this book is that it will make you VERY hungry! Ages 9+
Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends
Published November 17, 2015
Funny, inspiring and all-true, this collection of mini-biographies will delight sports fans and any readers who love hearing about the childhood antics of famous celebrities. From Super bowler Peyton Manning’s middle school tango to the challenges Billie Jean King had to face to play tennis as a girl in the 1960s, or Lionel Messi’s short statue and growth hormone deficiency, which he overcame to become one of the best-known soccer stars in the world. Each biography is accompanied by clever, full-color illustrations and are approximately 2-4 pages long. Ages 9+
An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms: Discover Mythical Lands, Lost Cities and Vanished Islands
Published: October 4, 2022
This atlas blends history and myth to explore the lost kingdoms, phantom islands, and legendary continents once sought by explorers. Maps, manuscripts, and carvings give readers “clues” to where these lost kingdoms might be. Atlas of Lost Kingdoms was shortlisted for the 2023 Children’s Travel Book of the Year and is an excellent choice for kids who love mythology, geography, and travel. Ages 8+
Middle Grade Memoirs
These memoirs are perfect for middle schoolers who like to read about the real-life experiences of authors when they were kids.
Free Lunch
Published: September 10, 2019
Free Lunch chronicles author Rex Ogle’s experiences during his sixth-grade year: feeling constantly hungry, being uncomfortable in ill-fitting second-hand clothing, and dealing with dissolving friendships. The memoir’s title comes from Rex’s dependence on the free lunch program at school and the shame he feels when he has to explain to the cashier that he’s on the program. While some of the language and content might be more suitable for mature 6th-grade readers, this memoir provides a wealth of teachable moments and discussion. Free Lunch is heart-wrenching, beautifully written, and a significant contribution to children’s literature. Ages 10+
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Published: April 7, 2020
Teens might know Trevor Noah as the former host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, but they likely don’t know much about his childhood. In this bestselling young readers’ adaptation of his adult memoir, Noah unflinchingly shares his personal story and the injustices he faced while growing up mixed race – half black and half white – in South Africa both during and after apartheid. Ages 10+
When Stars Are Scattered
Published: April 14, 2020
Omar and Hassan (who is non-verbal) live in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing war in Somalia. Despite unimaginable living conditions and constant disappointments, they find a loving community of people. However, when Omar is offered the opportunity to attend school, he’s torn. If he goes to school, who will protect Hassan? The interdependent text and illustrations in the graphic novel form allow the reader to experience Omar’s reality- a reality unfathomable to most people, regardless of age. An afterword and authors’ notes (with photographs!) offer further closure to Omar’s story and connect readers to the real people behind the characters. Ages 9+
Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir
Published January 28, 2020
Fifth-graders who loved Raina Telgemeier’s Smile will be immersed in Robin Ha’s memoir. She came to Kansas on what she thought was a vacation with her single mother. However, once she landed in the United States, a teenage Robin was astounded to learn that they were no longer returning to Seoul, Korea, but living in the Southern US with a Korean-American man whom her mother had just met and planned to marry. Empathetic tween readers will shudder with sympathy as they follow Robin’s years through an American education, not speaking the language or being able to read her beloved comics. Artistic readers will relish the solace she ends up finding in drawing. Ages 10+
A First Time for Everything
Published: Feb 28, 2023
Award-winning graphic novelist Dan Santat pulls off a hat trick of a book – a personal story of his own awkward middle school years seen through the prism of one trip to Europe. This book hits all the right notes – the travelogue aspect, a chance to see Santat’s incredible illustrations of Europe in the 1980s, and his realistic, humorous depiction of his own experiences with friendship, first love, and…Fanta, the European soda. Middle school readers will come for the drawings and stay for the thoughtful, poignant, and thoroughly engaging musings of the brilliant Dan Santat. Ages 10+
Mexikid
Published: August 1, 2023
Picture this: a Winnebago full of your EIGHT siblings, as you travel into Mexico, where you have barely been, even though you are a Mexican-American family, to find your abuelita and bring her back with you to the United States. This reads like the best premise of a novel, but is the true story of Pedro Martin, describing his own journey! Told in a poignant yet hilarious fashion, Martin’s graphic memoir (which won a Newbery Honor) shares family misadventures and anecdotal insights into Mexican-American culture that everyone will appreciate. Ages 9+
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition
Published January 5, 2016
A nonfiction classic that weaves strands of agricultural innovation, strength in adversity and of a community coming together, this book, also the subject of multiple movies and documentaries, doesn’t get old. This book tells the fascinating story of a boy and a community. William Kamkwamba, who was born into a small village in Malawi, faces the terrible consequences of a drought that hits his village. Losing all their crops and struggling to farm their land with the rising cost of maize and faced with a government that cannot or would not be able to help much, Kamkwamba ends up creating a windmill out of old, scavenged parts that help their community pump water back into the village’s land. Told with strength, joy, humor and energy, this nonfiction book is a great read-aloud or book to be shared between middle schoolers and adults alike. Ages 9+
Self-Help Middle Grade Nonfiction
If your kids like to learn about specific things like how to write a book, how to manage money or tips for better mental health, these are some good options for them.
Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book?
Published: September 1, 2020
This teen writer’s guide offers an insider’s look into becoming a published author. It features interviews with numerous YA writers and delves deeply into key aspects of crafting a compelling story, such as plot development, worldbuilding, creating conflict, and crafting memorable characters. Additionally, the book gives young readers a realistic look at the book publishing industry. The author emphasizes the importance of exploring different approaches to storytelling and finding joy in writing. While there are plenty of writing guides, Dear Ally stands out as a comprehensive and inspirational resource. Ages 10+
Thank You for Coming to My Ted Talk
Published March 10, 2020
This slim volume is packed full of wisdom for teenagers (and adults!) in this day of compelling presentations. As people absorb their information more and more through bite-sized presentations, video, audio, or both, Ted Anderson, curator of TED, highlights the common thread behind the most successful TED talks. For teens who are creating their own content, in short videos or podcasts, this will help them stand out. For teachers and parents who are trying to help their kids or students deliver their most persuasive public speeches and presentations, this is also invaluable, as well as highly readable! With helpful tips and relatable anecdotes, this book will appeal to parents, educators, and teen speakers alike. Ages 11+
Cash is Queen: A Girl’s Guide to Securing, Spending and Stashing Cash
Published: January 3, 2023
This guide to managing money, specifically for teenage girls, teaches readers how to establish healthy financial habits. The book is full of eye-catching illustrations and explains topics like budgeting, saving, and investing in an accessible, relatable way. “Crown jewels” summarizes the essential points at the end of each chapter, and the entire book is written in an uplifting, empowered voice–a refreshing change from other financial guides! Cash is Queen is a vital resource for a society that neglects financial education, especially for women, and would make an excellent gift for any young reader. Ages 11+
Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges
Published: April 11, 2023
Growing up is always hard. But what if your 8th grader is really struggling with their mental health? This guide is a comforting resource and a perfect first step to understanding anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. In addition to straightforward information, the guide includes tips on talking to loved ones about your challenges and how to connect with a mental health professional. Funny cartoons and illustrations throughout the book help reassure teens that they can get through difficult times. Ages 10+
The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life
Published: February 14, 2017
A poet writing about basketball, serving up quotable quotes. This book is perfectly designed for young athletes or anyone who needs a little pick-me-up when life feels tough. Written by award-winning poet-author Kwame Alexander, this book features tiny vignettes about his own life as well as 52 different chapters – metaphorical rules that apply to sports but also, to everything in life. Interspersed with quotes by celebrity and athlete notables like Michelle Obama, Steph Curry, and the like, this makes for a great gift for aspiring athletes as well as after-dinner parent-tween read-alouds. Ages 10+
Historical Nonfiction for Middle Schoolers
You know what makes fascinating middle-grade nonfiction? History! Here are some tween nonfiction books that highlight a historical event.
Attacked
Published: November 14, 2023
The bombing of Pearl Harbor is an unforgettable part of American history, but you’ve never seen it depicted as Marc Favreau does in this nonfiction title. We revisit that day and its aftermath through the eyes of several people, including a Japanese spy, a relegated American soldier, residents of the island of Hawaii, and members of the military families in the area. It includes real historical photographs and was pieced together from an array of eyewitness accounts. I love how accessible and easy to read this book is. Good for ages 9+
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team
Published: October 13, 2020
In June 2018, twelve youth soccer players and their coach entered a cave for a few hours of exploration and fun. Suddenly, the cave began to flood, blocking their exit. News of the team’s plight prompted a complex rescue mission that lasted seventeen days and involved rescue workers from across the globe. Using firsthand interviews, photographs, diagrams, cultural information, and details of the region’s landscape, Soontornvat crafts a clear, compelling narrative that highlights both the efforts of the above-ground operation and the mental strength of the boys and their coach. Ages 10+
The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation)
Published August 2, 2016
A powerful true story that features the triumph of the underdog, West Coast versus New England rowing culture, and a defeat of the Nazis during their own Olympics – what more could you want in an epic coming-of-age book? This book tells the true story of 9 working-class rowers from the University of Washington who overcome adversity, challenges, and discrimination to be able to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This book weaves a fascinating account of the rise of our young Western rowers, with the backdrop of Hitler’s Nazi party slowly looming in the background. With full-color pictures to accompany its breathless and fast-paced prose, this book is a triumph, both in its content and in its delivery. Young readers will definitely want to watch both the documentary and the movie version after reading! Ages 10+
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Published: Jan 17, 2017
Steve Sheinkin, a three-time National Book Award finalist, writes a compelling history of one of the most impressive athletes in American history, as well as one of its most disturbing instances: the creation of Indian boarding schools in the late 1800s to early 1900s. This book highlights one athlete’s story, from his humble beginnings to his athletic triumphs over adversity on the football field to the larger contributions of Native Americans to the field of football. This is an intriguing and important must-read for many sports fans. Ages 10+
March: Book One
Published: August 13, 2013
A powerful graphic memoir about the beginnings of the civil rights movement, told through the eyes of Congressman John Lewis, one of its key figures. The first in a trilogy, the first book tells the story of Lewis’s childhood in Alabama, the life-changing moment he met Martin Luther King Jr, and his growing involvement in the sit-ins and other non-violent protests against segregation and discrimination. Readers will want to continue observing his journey in the following books in the series, that will take us up to the powerful March on Washington. Ages 9+
Middle Grade Nonfiction Books About Science
Hand these science-y middle grade nonfiction books to kids who love nature and all things STEM.
What Is a Solar Eclipse?
Published: February 6, 2024
What really happens during a solar eclipse? How does an eclipse affect the energy in our atmosphere? This book, published just in time for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, answers these questions and more in an incredibly accessible format. The book explains exactly what solar eclipses are, how long they last, and how to safely observe them. Plenty of engaging pictures and interesting diagrams will capture–and keep–young readers’ interest. Ages 8+
Science Comics: Elephants: Living Large
Published: March 12, 2024
This new Science Comics book is told from the perspective of a young African elephant and shares lots of cool facts about elephants (of different kinds). It’s cute and delightful and will be well-loved by middle schoolers who love elephants or dream of going on safari someday. Ages 8+
Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day
Published: March 14, 2023
In his graphic novel Hidden Systems, author Dan Nott explores water, electricity, and the internet–three fundamental systems that are often overlooked–to discover what’s hidden beneath the surface. Drawings and straightforward explanations explain how these hidden systems work and highlight their histories, inequities, and future potential. When readers are learning about a complex topic, visuals help increase comprehension, so the graphic novel format works exceptionally well here. Ages 11+
Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation): The Astonishing Story of How We Doubled Our Lifespan
Published: January 3, 2023
Extra Life explores how humans have doubled their lifespan, now living longer than we ever have in more than three hundred thousand years. Readers will be fascinated to discover that most of the advances–seatbelts, vaccines, pasteurization, public health data, and more–have happened in recent history. This book dives deeply into the sciences behind these advancements but is still short enough at 128 pages not to overwhelm young readers. Ages 10+
Narrative Nonfiction Books for Middle School
While you’ll find some narrative nonfiction sprinkled throughout this list, we’re highlighting a few more favorites in this section!
Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World
Published: March 7, 2023
Where does our garbage come from? Where does it go? This slim volume is a deep dive into our trash, how it affects our planet, and how we can be more mindful. Great for kids ages 9+
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II
Published: March 5, 2024
Now, this is riveting narrative non-fiction about the girls recruited by the UK to decipher Germany’s messages. I knew so little about this and Bletchley House, and it was such an engaging way to learn more about their work and how ciphers work. Older middle schoolers will want to create their own ciphers and will enjoy the black-and-white photos on nearly every page. Ages 10+
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe
Published: August 29, 2023
Impossible Escape is the story of Rudi Vrba, who spent nearly two years at Auschwitz during World War II as a teenager. When Vrba learned of the methodical mass killing of Jewish prisoners, he and a friend managed to escape and become the most famous whistleblowers of all time–informing the world of Nazi atrocities and saving an estimated 100,000 lives. Award-winning author Steve Sheinken combines impeccable research with first-hand perspectives to create a gripping nonfiction narrative that’s impossible to put down. Good for ages 12+
Born to Fly: The First Women’s Air Race Across America
Published September 24, 2019
We’ve all heard about Amelia Earhart and often think of her end, surrounded by tragedy and mystery. This book tells the giddy, euphoric story of the Golden Age of Aviation and the daring pilots who participated in the first Women’s Air Derby. Readers will delight in learning more about Earhart but also about Marvel Crosson, Florence Lowe, Bobbi Trout, and many others, whose fearless exploits and resourcefulness make this book as breathtaking as those first flights where humans could first take to the skies. Ages 10+
Graphic Middle Grade Nonfiction
If your kids will only read graphics, you have to try these graphic nonfiction books!
History Comics: The Wild Mustang: Horses of the American West
Published: February 23, 2021
Equine fans (of which there are MANY in the tween years) will rejoice! This is a rollicking history of the most famous breed of wild horses in the US. This history comic book has a strong narrative voice, incredibly detailed and rich drawings on par with the most sophisticated graphic novels, and is packed with facts. Whether it is exploring the origins of wild mustangs with the Spanish arrival in the New World, the relationship between Native Americans and horses, or how present-day mustang aficionados can help preserve the species, this book has it all. Ages 9+
Passport
Published: November 30, 2021
Sophia is living with her family in Central America when she reads a letter and learns that her parents are working for the CIA. As Sophia tries to make sense of this news, and the web of lies surrounding her, she begins to question everything. The impact that this discovery has on Sophia’s identity and understanding of the world makes for a page-turning exploration of lies and double lives. Ages 12+
Cold War Correspondent (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #11)
Published: October 26, 2021
The latest installment of this ever-popular graphic nonfiction history series, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, this time featuring the story of Korean War journalist Marguerite Higgins. Higgins was one of the few female journalists of the time, especially on the war front, Higgins’ daring bravery and her need to tell the story of the front lines of the invasion and share the truth with newspaper readers back home make for a compelling and important history told in Nathan Hale’s typically humorous yet engaging way. One of the foremost war correspondents, this history reminds readers of the importance of words, especially in wartime. Ages 9+
Yummy: A History of Desserts
Published: November 30, 2021
Guided by three food sprites named Peri, Fee, and Fada, this graphic novel explores the fascinating history of desserts, answering questions like “Who put the first chocolate chip in cookie dough?” This book manages to be both lighthearted and informative, exploring the history and cultural influences on desserts and the science behind their creations. Along the way, the sprites share yummy-looking recipes for readers to try at home. Elliott’s illustrations are fun, unique, and vibrant, and the book’s content and complexity are perfect for 6th graders. We initially checked this one out from the library but liked it so much I purchased a copy for our home and have bought some as birthday gifts! Ages 10+
Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey
Published: November 17, 2015
Grade 6 and up. This funny, heartrending graphic memoir tells the story of Ozge, a girl growing up in 1980s Turkey. Readers will laugh along with Ozge as she describes her childhood growing up in Turkey and be intrigued by the differences between her childhood in newly industrializing Turkey and our modern-day American experience. As the book progresses, more complicated forces come into play and we notice, like the author as she gets older, the contradictory tug between loyalty, faith, Muslim traditions and Westernized values. Hand this book to older middle schoolers who love art and who are ready for the harder questions of politics, economy and history.
Nonfiction Picture Books for Older Kids
These last two recommendations are picture books that will thrill readers of all ages, especially those who are interested in science or animals.
What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?
Published: September 5, 2023
Butterflies and moths might seem as different as day and night or as similar as twins, depending on how well you know them. This slim, gorgeous, nonfiction picture book is what science textbooks can only dream of being. It beautifully explores the differences between these two insects, their similarities, and the awe-inspiring metamorphosis they experience. Each page is a wonder that will leave young readers breathlessly hungry for more. Ages 7+
The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey
Published: December 13, 2022
Another beautiful, wondrous book by author/illustrator Jason Chin. This is the book that will make you have all your old science textbooks out the window! Starting with a tiny hummingbird, the pages flip through and zoom in, from a bird, to a bee, to a hair on a little girl’s hand, to the microscopic atoms in her body. Filled with full-page illustrations as well as information-rich text, this book, like so many of Chin’s other nonfiction picture books, seeks to humanize large scientific concepts and make them both relatable and render them in exquisite illustrated detail. This is a must-purchase for any kid who is curious about science, biology and the invisible yet important particles inside us all.
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