Non Fiction
Click on the title of the book to check if it is available in the LC
Narrative Non Fiction
True stories written in the style of fiction
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater
In the news: an agender teen falls asleep on an Oakland city bus. A black teen sets their skirt on fire. Two young lives, forever entwined because of proximity in a moment, eventually spark an entire community’s shift towards restorative justice.
Crash from Outer Space by Candace Fleming
In 1947, during the early years of the Cold War, a field in Roswell, New Mexico was disturbed by a strange crash and smattering of debris. Some say the bodies of extraterrestrial beings were strewn across the ground, that a UFO had crashed there, and that the government was covering up the evidence in a massive conspiracy.
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin
The fascinating story of Jim Thorpe, the superb athlete, from his childhood as a marginalized Native American, through his years as a student at the rigorous, abusive Carlisle boarding school where he, his team, and coach Pop Warner “invented football,” on to Thorpe’s momentary triumph as the winner of two Olympic gold medals in 1912 before that honor’s subsequent loss and eventual restoration.
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin
A thrilling journalistic account of government insider Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers and exposed the questionable decisions that led to the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. This cinematic work simultaneously recounts a history of the Vietnam War, details the complete reversal of one man’s loyalties, chronicles the downfall of a presidential administration, examines First Amendment rights, and explores honor and morality.
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin
As World War II escalated overseas, African American sailors at Port Chicago were under pressure to load bombs faster and faster onto waiting ships, until finally a horrific explosion killed hundreds. In the days that followed, 50 men refused to work under such unsafe conditions and were charged with mutiny.
Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
This riveting historical nonfiction drama explores the complex series of events that led to the creation of the ultimate weapon and introduces many memorable personalities involved in the pursuit.
*Also available on digital audiobook
Boys, let us get up a club. With those words, six restless young men raided the linens at a friend's mansion, pulled pillowcases over their heads, hopped on horses, and cavorted through the streets of Pulaski, Tennessee in 1866. The six friends named their club the Ku Klux Klan, and, all too quickly, their club grew into the self-proclaimed Invisible Empire with secret dens spread across the South.
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman
Inspired by the more than 700 letters the Van Gogh brothers wrote to each other, Heiligman uncovers fresh insights into Vincent’s development as an artist and his relationship with the brother who supported him emotionally and financially throughout his life.
Symphony for the City of the Dead : Dmitri Shostakovich and the siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson
A riveting account of the Siege of Leningrad and the role played by Russian composer Shostakovich and his Leningrad Symphony.
First flight around the world : the adventures of the American fliers who won the race by Tim Grove
In 1924, a team of American aviators embarked on a race to circumnavigate the globe. During their 150-day journey, the crew faced hostile weather, pesky reporters, mechanical failures, and agonizing disappointments.
Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen
An 8th grade girl uses a 1950's popularity guide in a modern quest to become more popular.
A stunning account of the mission to capture Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi leader responsible for organizing the deportation and imprisonment of millions of Holocaust victims, by an elite team of Israeli spies.
The President Has Been Shot! The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson
A thoroughly researched and tightly written narrative of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Beginning with a succinct introduction to Kennedy’s early life and presidential administration, Swanson sets the scene for a detailed and engaging examination of the events before, during, and after November 22, 1963, when JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald crossed paths in Dallas with tragic results.
During World War II, the need for qualified mathematicians led NASA to hire these talented black women. Systemic racism and sexism has hidden their essential contributions to the space race.
Just Mercy : adapted for young adults : a true story of the fight for justice by Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson delves deep into the broken U.S. justice system, detailing from his personal experience his many challenges and efforts as a lawyer and social advocate, especially on behalf of America's most rejected and marginalized people.
The Race of the Century by Neal Bascomb
A young adult adaptation of one of Bascomb's best-seller, The Perfect Mile, an inspiring and moving story of three men racing to achieve the impossible -- the perfect four-minute mile.
The Racers by Neal Bascomb
The story of he European grand prix racing scene during the 1930s. The story focuses on the rivalry between German driver Rudi Caracciola, who drove for the Nazi-sponsored team, and Rene Dreyfus who was excluded from the German teams because he was Jewish.
Titanic : Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
The story weaves together the voices and stories of real Titanic survivors and witnesses to the disaster -- from the stewardess Violet Jessop to Captain Arthur Rostron of the CARPATHIA, who came to the rescue of the sinking ship.
Building to the suspense of a race won by seconds, this tale follows the nine young men who traveled from Seattle to Berlin to compete in crew at the spectacular and infamous Nazi Olympics.
Unbroken : an Olympian's journey from airman to castaway to captive by Laura Hillenbrand
Louis Zamperini's plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, and he manages to survive being a castaway and living in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
Non-Fiction Graphic Novels
A raw graphic memoir, author-illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka depicts his complex upbringing - including a search for his father, difficult interactions with his heroin-addicted mother, and day-to-day life with his grandparents.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.
The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
Unwanted by their own country, unwanted by other countries, Syria’s refugees are between a rock and a hard place. Staying in Syria is far too dangerous – violence is constant and pervasive. Leaving Syria is fraught with peril - crossing the desert, falling victim to con artist smugglers, and fatal journeys by boat.
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown
"A swirl of unremarkable wind leaves Africa…” and makes its way to what will become the drowned city of New Orleans. Simple black ink lines and dramatic watercolors pull readers into the deep water. Heroes surface, and people find courage, but much in this exceptional graphic novel is about incompetence, racism, and the resilience of the people of the Crescent City.
March Trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
Congressman John Lewis recounts important moments of his participation in the Civil Rights Movement.
Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir by Liz Prince
With spare but evocative line drawings, Prince recounts growing up “different”, moving around the country, meeting new friends and foes, and experiencing childhood and adolescence as a tomboy. She deftly explores gender roles and stereotypes in a funny and accessible manner.
Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey by Özge Samancı
Özge learns to hear her own voice and push back against others’ expectations to create a life that will satisfy her own desires and needs.
Steve Jobs: Insanely Great by Jessie Hartland
A biography of Steve Jobs that covers his successes and setbacks, his passions and his demons, and the many contradictions that made up this brilliant individual.
Memoirs and Biographies
An honest account of Ogle’s sixth-grade year and his family’s experience with poverty and its effect on their relationships. Ogle captures the voice and emotion of his sixth-grade self in this powerful story of trauma and resilience.
Positive : surviving my bullies, finding hope, and living to change the world by Paige Rawl
Paige Rawl has been HIV positive since birth, but growing up, she never felt like her illness defined her. On an unremarkable day in middle school, she disclosed to a friend her HIV-positive status--and within hours the bullying began. From that moment forward, every day was like walking through a minefield. Then one night, desperate for escape, fifteen-year-old Paige found herself in her bathroom staring at a bottle of sleeping pills. That could have been the end of her story. Instead, it was only the beginning.
Being Jazz : my life as a (transgender) teen by Jazz Jennings
An autobiography of Jazz Jennings in which she shares her experiences of transitioning for male to female and becoming an advocate for transgender youth.
I will always write back : how one letter changed two lives by Caitlin Alifirenka
In this dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends--and better people--through their long-distance exchange as pen-pals.
We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist
Sundquist, a motivational speaker, author, and Paralympic ski racer, has had terrible luck with the ladies. In this laugh-out-loud memoir, he attempts to figure out why he can't catch a break, exploring the matter scientifically by analyzing and hypothesizing about each of his failed relationships, starting with his first girlfriend in the eighth grade.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir by Margarita Engle
A memoir in free verse that conveys the story of growing up in two cultures during an era of great tension between the United States and Cuba.
I am Malala: how one girl stood up for education and changed the world by Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai's describes her fight for education for girls under Taliban rule, the support she received from her parents to pursue an education, and how the Taliban retaliated against her by trying to kill her.