Nonfiction

Nonfiction is a huge genre in libraries, encompassing a wide variety of books that have one thing in common: they are based on facts. As a librarian, nonfiction books in the collection are an essential for student research. It is important to evaluate these books for credibility so that students are getting reliable facts when they research. However, nonfiction books can also be read for leisure! Knowing about engaging nonfiction books can be great for reader’s advisory.

A brief summary of some criteria for evaluation of nonfiction literature as found in the book Nonfiction for young adults: From delight to wisdom by Betty Carter and Dick Abrahamson is discussed below. To dig even deeper, the book can be purchased online on Amazon. 

Dr. Lesesne and Dr. Perry dig into the 5 points of evaluation of nonfiction books in their video that I will be unpacking in this post. 

The first thing to look at when evaluating nonfiction is to determine the author’s credibility on the subject, which can be found online, listed on the jacket of the book, or other found elsewhere. Some books include author’s notes, which show the depth of the research that has been done. Certain authors who have been around awhile have a developed reputation of reputability. Some reputable nonfiction authors include Kathleen Krull on historical topics, Steve Jenkins with wonderful illustrations and small bits of information often on animals, award-winning James Cross-Giblin with narrative nonfiction, Don Brown with nonfiction picture books, and Loree Griffin Burns with scientific topics.

The next thing to look at in a nonfiction book is whether or not the facts are accurate. Oftentimes, a library needs to rely on the author because they are not experts in the field themselves. Relying on reviews are not always helpful, because the book reviewers are usually not experts it the fields either. Dr. Lesesne suggests having books do a fact check of sorts by comparing multiple nonfiction books on the same topic to see how the information lines up. If it is the same across the board, it is probably reliable. From this, students can decide which book is probably the most reliable or in-depth book. Another resource for librarians to use when evaluating the accuracy of facts is to reference the Outstanding Science Trade Books and Notable Trade Books in the Social Studies for books that have been vetted.

When looking at a nonfiction book, librarians must also determine the purpose and scope of the book. Some nonfiction books have a broader scope on the topic, and some are narrower. Having a variety of scopes available is important in order to fit the different needs of students and teachers. Also, librarians need to determine the purpose of a book and its intended audience.

The organization of the book should also be evaluated. A book might have wonderful information, but if it is not presented in an orderly fashion, it can be discouraging to students and detrimental to research. Does the table of contents help students to easily find the information that they need? Does it have an index that allows users to quickly find specific topics quickly? Looking at an index can help students to determine whether a book is worth looking through in a matter of seconds. A good nonfiction book will often include these helpful items.

Lastly, librarians need to look at the visuals in a nonfiction book meant for young students. Graphics can break up heavy information. Real photographs help students to picture the information in the text. Charts, maps, and graphs can be helpful ways to present information. Illustrations or pictures can be important for deepening understanding and keeping the interest of young readers who may be reading nonfiction for research or just for fun.

These 5 criteria will help me as a librarian when it is time to develop or weed my nonfiction collection. Nonfiction, just like fiction, can be a way for students to learn about other cultures, beliefs, ways of life, so it is important to have a robust nonfiction collection on a wide variety of topics and in a wide variety of formats. The list of student questions provided by Carter & Abrahamson are invaluable for a new librarian. This is a great starting point for discussion when sharing a nonfiction book with students, leading students to think critically about the facts presented.