To finish off our week of non-fiction recommendations, I’m wondering what holes you think exist in the world of children’s and young adult non-fiction.
I, for one, was happy to see Amulet Books publish Linas Alsenas’ Gay America: Struggle for Equality last November, as gay men’s and women’s history is one topic that has CERTAINLY been overlooked in non-fiction for young adults.
What else have we been missing? Are there topics you see explored too little or too infrequently (if at all)? Perhaps ones that need "updating"? Are there age groups for whom you think particular types of non-fiction books are lacking? If so, please share those thoughts here. (The non-fiction writers of the world eagerly await your responses!)
The Cold War, 1960s
Philosophy. And drama.
Conflict resolution…altruism…getting “out of the sandbox” in handling anger…a more global understanding of people!
I like the previous suggestions. I’m a nonfiction writer and I once suggested “American Women in Comedy” to a publisher, who got excited about that idea. They wanted to do a whole series, and had me start with Mae West. They ended up deciding she was too spicy for librarians. I think they underestimate librarians! Anyway, that’s my long way of saying, how about more comedy-related books? Also, I have always wanted to write about the Paralympics. I think physically-disabled athletes are inspiring to all kids.
the history of animals as pets
Coping skills & resiliency, chronic illness, teen health, fitness & nutrition, updates on cystic fibrosis, sickle cell.
Islam, China, and India. Considering that these three cultures collectively comprise more than half the world’s population there is remarkably little on them in the average book store. That which can be found tends to have an American slant. Not that there’s anything wrong with having the various “-American” cultural studies sections but we shouldn’t forget about what comes before.
Ethics
When I was a kid, I once found a really well written book on Catherine the Great. I wish I could remember who wrote it. I think there should be more books of historical persons, to inspire kids to be interested in history. It’s not all dry facts and battles on hills. History is people.
I for one would like to see more non-fiction books for kids and young adults published in original paperbacks. I think more of them would end up going home with kids that way (or should I say, being purchased rather than taken from the library). And I agree with Kat B: when I was a kid, biographies were the only books I felt really connected me with historical events.
I agree with Spellbound. There seems to be a publishing perception that libraries don’t buy paperbacks, especially nonfiction paperbacks. We do! We would buy more if more were available!
Note to Tabatha: go for it! I work in a library – we have a young borrower (aged 11) who has recently been hit by arthritis. She is now, very suddenly, in a wheelchair and in pain. She wants to read about the paralympics (how about that for positive thinking!) Would you believe I can’t track down a single book? Just the odd few pages in general Olympics books. The only thing for children I can find EVER was published in 1979, so it’d be horribly out of date even if we could get it. In general, we need a lot more books with positive portrayals of people with disabilities – children’s illustrators should be including disabled children when they draw a whole class – there’s very little that isn’t specifically “about” disability. But please, not earnest, allegedly-inspiring “American Dream” type books – just a bit of solidarity with disabled kids, and a bit of thought provoking for the rest.