Staff Picks Youth Nonfiction

Boardwalk Babies

by Marissa Moss

This vibrant nonfiction picture book tells the story of premature babies! In the late 19th century, babies that were born too early didn’t have too much hope of living. Dr. Martin Couney used his knowledge of incubators with baby chicks to convey that baby humans could grow underneath light too. He set up shop on Coney Island in New York and saved over 6,000 babies with his scientific discovery. This is a wonderful story of science and magic that brought a change to the way we see premature babies—there is hope for everyone. This book is nominated for the 2025 Bluestem Children’s Choice Book Award.

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Seen and Unseen

by Elizabeth Partridge

This powerful nonfiction novel tells the story of Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II who were ordered to American incarceration camps. Through the eyes of three photographers during the war, this novel conveys what they saw through their lenses and tells the true story of what happened at these camps and the emotions that it brought to the people. This story has a very powerful message of learning from our past and working towards a better future of fighting social injustice. I recommend this book for anyone interested in history and photography and who believes in the power of preserving history for the better of our society. This book is nominated for the 2025 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Hike it : a complete guide to camping, hiking, and backpacking in the U.S.A.

by Iron Tazz

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Could You Ever Waddle With Penguins!?

by Sandra Markle

Popular animal science author, Sandra Markle, has done it again creating a cute, informational series about animals that kids are sure to love! Could You Ever Waddle with Penguins!? is full of big, bright pictures and illustrations, and fun facts, about Adélie penguins. Geared towards younger elementary readers, there is enough text to learn something new, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. After penguins, kids can see how they’d do with dolphins in the next book! Fans of Markle’s other youth nonfiction series, or the Who Would Win books will be sure to like these too!

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Colours of Islam

by DAWUD WHARNSBY

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Butt or Face: can you tell which end you’re looking at?

by Kari Lavelle

Butt or Face by Kari Lavelle is a fun book that has the reader guessing “is this a butt, or is it a face?” Each page has a photo of a part of an animal and the reader must guess if it’s a butt…or is it a face? This is a fun book to read along with your child. The question is then answered when you turn the page and see a full photo of the animal and also learn facts about the (usually) obscure animal. There is a map at the end of the book and it showcases where each animal lives and this also becomes a great geography lesson. This book works best for ages 4-8. You and your child will have a fun time and a few laughs going through this book together!

Recommended by: Stacie Pendleton, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

The importance of being Ernie (and Bert): a best friends’ guide to life

Bert and Ernie have been entertaining kids for over 50 years with their pals on Sesame Street, but how do two with so much different between them make their friendship work? This silly “self-help” book authored by both of our Sesame Street friends switches between both of their perspectives as they describe the important things that go into a friendship. Bert and Ernie certainly have their differences, but they are also able to find common ground on important things such as how to spend time together and what makes each other unique. Whether you rely on a rubber ducky or have a penchant for pigeons, this book will have you smiling from ear to ear and thinking about your relationships with your own friends.

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

The Playbook: 52 Rules To Aim, Shoot, And Score In This Game Called Life

by Kwame Alexander

The Playbook: 52 Rules To Aim, Shoot, And Score In This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander – Kwame Alexander, author of The Crossover and other prolific poetry and sports books, brings an approachable self-help book excellent for reluctant readers. Featuring lovely illustrations and using the game of basketball as a model for real life, Alexander gives kids guidance on several of the tough questions they will face or have already. Alexander’s short, rhythmic poetry and rhymes flow with such ease that the book will fly by and the lessons he brings truly shine. With motivational quotes from prolific athletes such as LeBron James and public figures such as Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, this quick read will give your readers that little push they need to step up to the free throw line and keep pushing whether their shot is a swish or short.

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

A Year of Good News

by Martin Smatana

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Secret Schools True Stories of the Determination to Lear

by Heather Camlot

Can you imagine not being able to go to school?  What if you had to keep it a secret and it meant hiding, sneaking out late at night or risk going to prision!! This book explores hidden classrooms all over the world. These true stories of courage introduce readers to the important person who played a role in each secret school. It shows the power of education and throughout history how far some have had to go to access it. Great lesson for middle school readers.

Recommended by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction