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The accolades keep coming for nonfiction picture books that dare to offer facts and true stories to elementary-aged readers. We cannot wait for autumn, when it's time for a whole other harvest of titles that keep children reading and learning.
Our starred middle and high school nonfiction offerings for the first half of 2025 are sure to keep readers engaged and informed.
More filler than essential, unless collections are in dire need of funny poetry volumes for reluctant readers.
This story of one of the most pivotal engineering accomplishments in U.S. history, told from diverse perspectives, is highly recommended for middle and high school collections.
This engaging biography contains detailed descriptions of setting and cultural context that convey a clear time line and sense of causation, as well as peeks into the artist’s intimate life.
An important and compelling work that belongs in all high school and public libraries.
More concept than direct instruction, this humorous art book takes readers on a journey of imagination and embracing imperfection.
PREMIUM
How the Word Is Passed (Adapted for Young Readers): Remembering Slavery and How it Shaped America
While this book addresses an important topic and will have niche readers, the lack of establishing shared context for a younger audience and the uneven approach make this a secondary pick.
PREMIUM
Vehicles: Touch and Feel
An upbeat, hands-on choice for transportation lovers and early concept shelves.
PREMIUM
A Is for Apple Wipe-Clean
A hands-on alphabet primer that balances educational value with playful engagement, ideal for individual use.
PREMIUM
ABC Animals in the Wild
A lively and refreshing pick for alphabet shelves and animal-themed collections.
A powerful, conversation-starting tool for building empathy and equity from the earliest years.
PREMIUM
A Sense of Red
A visually striking and meditative concept book, well-suited for sensory exploration and early mindfulness collections.
PREMIUM
Dinosaurs: My First Carry Book
An engaging introduction to dinosaurs, offering portability and bright visuals, though some choices may confuse budding enthusiasts.
An essential, empowering addition to early literacy, SEL, and identity collections.
A high-interest, fact-packed pick for libraries growing their STEM board book choices.
A smart and accessible pick for early concept shelves, especially where vocabulary-building books are in demand.
PREMIUM
Whose Egg Is That?
A smart and inviting pick for those growing the early nonfiction shelves.
PREMIUM
7 Best Things About Friends
A bright and friendly choice for libraries building social-emotional learning shelves for little ones.
PREMIUM
Noisy Animal World
A sensory-rich introduction to animal sounds that may delight little listeners despite some logical inconsistencies and structural quirks.
A visually striking and conscientiously crafted counting book that elevates early concept shelves.
A playful, music-themed addition that will hit the right note for pop-loving caregivers and library collections.
An excellent purchase for library collections where poetry and nature books are popular.
PREMIUM
Nightmare Jones: poems
A great book for readers who like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, fans of Mary Downing Hahn, and anyone looking to darken their reads a little bit.
A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black.
An excellent purchase for elementary library collections where poetry and texts that encourage physical activity are needed.
An uplifting collection of Latinx heroes united by their tenacity, ideal for those in need of inspiration.
Recommended for elementary collections where mindfulness-based stress reduction and social-emotional learning through yoga and meditation are popular.
A well-illustrated collection of nursery rhymes that would make an excellent addition to a library or classroom.
A solid addition to every collection, expanding on texts by Indigenous authors.
A first choice for most libraries; come for the poems about familiar bugs, stay for the mind-blowing facts.
A great resource for educators exploring the unconventional world of Modernist poetry, this is a recommended addition to libraries.
Fans will enjoy direct messages from Copeland, but those seeking a full biographical picture should look to her other books. This is to inspire readers looking for advice and encouragement during tween years.
Aptly released during Pride Month, librarians should boldly go and purchase this starred book for collections.
PREMIUM
America ABC
For libraries that need board books to develop vocabulary, there are better books.
Margarita Engle’s collection of poetry heralds Latinx heroes and Juana Martinez-Neal’s latest celebrates a Peruvian scientist. A sprinkling of self-help titles round out the list.
Children's and YA titles are vital resources in public health education.
The winners of the 2025 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards are I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely, illus. by Matt James; Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay; and Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming.
Recommended as a purchase for history-minded students or those interested in the auto industry in its early days.
PREMIUM
Bob Marley
A recommended purchase for collections that want to enhance their biography collection or where this series is popular.
A joyful celebration of travel and bilingual learning for globe-trotting collections.
PREMIUM
Snow Babies: Touch and Feel
A cozy, hands-on pick for baby shelves and touch-and-feel collections.
PREMIUM
The Secret Powers of Animals
A standout addition to nonfiction collections, this pairs learning with delightful design.
PREMIUM
The Raven: The Classic Poem
Though not for everyone, this elegant treatment of Poe’s work will find a place on the shelves of erudite readers with an appetite for sophisticated language and Gothic atmosphere.
Despite some flaws, a worthy purchase for elementary and middle schools where hockey is popular.
An engaging purchase sure to fill collection gaps and for readers looking for stories of folks finding themselves.
This book will inspire young athletes to break barriers, such as gender and age, to charter their own course and pursue excellence. Highly recommended.
Books are crucial tools in understanding the lives of those who may look or sound a little different from the majority.
An intriguing offering that shines a light into a lesser-known aspect of the American abolitionist movement. Highly recommended.
A powerful testament to the strength and potential of individuals with Down syndrome, and an essential read for anyone seeking representation or to broaden their understanding of intellectual disabilities.
An inclusive must-buy for all upper elementar collections and for any institution serving an Indigenous community.
This enlightening title encourages curiosity about real-world scientific work and highlights the important bond between humans and animals; a strong purchase for juvenile nonfiction collections, particularly where there is interest in animals, environmental science, or conservation careers.
Long’s empathetic yet powerful writing beautifully portrays the awe-inspiring tenacity of the activists. Recommended for all libraries.
The introduction of kawaii food designs and manga references helps acquaint young eaters with new flavors and dishes, while the chopstick games and crafts add to the fun of cooking while learning about Japanese culture. Douzo meshiagare!–Laura Dooley-Taylor
This collection of recipes is a treasure; visually stunning, seasoned with quotes from famous female chefs, and a great addition to the “Rebel Girls” series.–Laura Dooley-Taylor
Foodies and history buffs will enjoy this attractive cookbook filled with both recipes and facts about favorite foods and notable Black icons in history.–Lois Young
Perfect nostalgia fodder for parents who loved Friends, offering a way to bond with kids over cooking and pups.
An additional purchase for elementary library collections where cookbooks and unique cooking guides are popular.
PREMIUM
PAC-MAN: The Official Cookbook
Parents, caregivers, and teachers will enjoy a scrumptious trip down memory lane while showing younger generations the fun and joy of Pac-Man.–Michele Shaw
This book challenges teens to step out of their comfort zone with diverse spices, working with seafood, and tricky recipes, simplified but not condescending.–Laura Dooley-Taylor
One of the best how-to books for young cooks, or for anyone who is learning. Every library should order at least one copy of this cookbook.–Lois Young
PREMIUM
World Kitchen: Celebrations
Younger tweens will be immersed in annual global celebrations and relish this cookbook’s vibrant graphic novel feel.
An attractive addition to collections serving youth prepared for a baking and decorating challenge
Creatively rendered fake-out cakes and cupcakes will delight bakers and eaters alike. Purchase is recommended for libraries that want to inspire creative bakers.–Tracy Cronce
A wonderful way to discuss behavior and personality traits with younger readers, this informative Spanish title is an excellent addition to school and public libraries.
A good choice for Spanish-language children’s nonfiction collections where there is a demand for astrology, self-help, and metaphysical titles.
Beautiful in both text and artwork, this incredible title by a powerhouse team belongs on all nonfiction shelves.
A must for Spanish-language picture book biography shelves. This valuable addition will inspire Latinx children to follow their dreams and appreciate their communities.
Purchase where books covering unexplained phenomena are popular.
This nonfiction guide to navigating divorce is both compassionate and comprehensive. It’s particularly valuable for middle school students who are going through a family transition themselves, providing comfort, clarity, and a sense of community.
PREMIUM
TIME for Kids: Money and Finance Field Guide: A How-To Book on Earning, Saving, and Spending Money
This guide supports foundational financial literacy in an approachable way. However, its consumable format and workbook nature make it a poor fit for most libraries.
This is a quality addition to any classroom or library. It would make an excellent purchase for anyone building a children’s collection focused on global cultures or where books about food circulate.
Authors Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby join us to talk about their new book, Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports.
A fascinating tour through the world of animal senses, this will be popular with animal lovers and collectors of weird-but-true nature facts.
This thoroughly researched, beautifully rendered portrait of a complex and pivotal figure is recommended as an essential purchase.
PREMIUM
Poems for Every Season
Best added to libraries currently serving Blyton readers or building large poetry collections.
This well-written, all-star sports title engages fans from start to finish and deserves a place in school and public libraries.
Author Erin Entrada Kelly joins us to talk about her new book At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom
A parent complaint about a nonbinary snail led a Virginia elementary school principal to cancel a visit by author Erica S. Perl. A former trial attorney, Perl offers a lesson in smart booking contracts and standing up to book and author challenges.
This compelling biography belongs in every library, enhancing instruction and research on women’s history, WWII, the Philippines, and Hansen’s disease.
This timely and timeless collection of nature poems is a perfect addition to any library or classroom.
A well-done work that will empower young environmental activists and give them (and any speechwriter) an impactful handbook.
This biography is a good addition to a secondary school’s biography collection. Readers who enjoy stories of bravery, espionage, and strong female figures will find Hall’s story both thrilling and inspiring.
A must-read for anyone looking to understand the future of advocacy in a rapidly changing world.
PREMIUM
Epic Athletes: Caitlin Clark
An engaging and well-crafted tribute to a talented athlete, offering an inspiring read for sports enthusiasts, Clark fans, and aspiring athletes alike.
A general purchase for an art curriculum tie-in.
Despite some faults, this book is a strong choice for nonfiction shelves and as a curricular tie-in due to the significance of the subject’s contribution to science and world history.
An interesting and well-structured guide for young readers looking to build wealth and break free from financial limitations, though future editions may need periodic updates to keep up with evolving financial trends and political policies.
A must-purchase not just for sports fans but any reader looking for hope and stories of belonging.
A stunningly written and illustrated work of children’s literature, and an essential purchase for school and public library collections.
PREMIUM
It’s Busy Down in the Woods Today: Friends to Meet, Places to Explore, and Over 100 Things to Find
An excellent purchase for elementary library collections where poetry and interactive look-and-find texts are popular.
Optimism fosters a sense of collective action and shows that no effort is too small.
A niche but valuable addition to middle school nonfiction, these books are ideal for readers passionate about animal science or wolves.
Given its focus on the Hudson River and the Riverkeepers program, this title will be of most interest to libraries and readers local to that area; for future environmentalists everywhere, the success of the Hudson River cleanup is a story of celebration no matter the location.
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