This list is for those trying to get their teens and young adult readers to read more nonfiction.
Some of our most requested book lists are for kids and young adults, so we are working to bring more of those to you.
We love all kinds of books but have a special love of nonfiction. Some of our favorite books and book reviews are nonfiction ones, and we love helping others find great nonfiction books to read.
Years ago, we compiled a list of nonfiction books for teens, but that list was for older teens. It is mainly a list of nonfiction adult books that teens can easily read.
This list is of books written primarily for young adults and teens.
Readers inspired the idea for this list, but my daughter Gracelyn was the one who helped me come up with the books for the list. These are some of her favorite books that have been adapted and written for younger readers.
Gracelyn is a teacher. Last year, Gracelyn taught middle school English. This year, she is teaching 7th and 8th grade English.
Reading and young adults is something that she is passionate about, and the majority of these books are ones that she has in her classroom library.
Reading well written nonfiction books helps history come alive for kids. History shouldn’t be boring. A good book can make history exciting and fun.
We put together this list of young adult nonfiction and are working on a list of historical fiction books for teens. Look for that and other young adult book lists soon.
Young Adult Books
Today’s list contains books written primarily for teens and young adults, and it is a little bit different than most of our lists. We have not read all of these books but have read the adult version of them.
Books lists for teens and young adults can be challenging. What one thirteen-year-old can handle reading is different than other thirteen-year-olds.
And what you are comfortable having your thirteen or fourteen-year-old read might be different from another parent.
My advice is to know your readers and what they can handle reading.
War and difficulties are part of life. We should not shy away from teaching our kids about difficult things, but we must do it in an age-appropriate way.
Our goal with this list of young adult nonfiction books is to help you find books that fit the reading needs of your teen.
Nonfiction Books For Young Adults
Unbroken Young Adult Version by Laura Hillenbrand. Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini. Louis Zamperini was a delinquent teen who became an Olympic runner and a pilot during WWII.
His story is an inspiring story of courage, strength, and faith. It is a WWII story that you won’t forget.
The Boys In the Boat Young Adult Version by Daniel James Brown. Our family read The Boys In the Boat book years ago. It has recently received more attention because of the movie release.
If you are unfamiliar with the story, The Boys In the Boat is the story of the University of Washington’s rowing team during the 1930s.
The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers struggling to survive through The Great Depression formed a rowing team. With hard work and determination, they went on to compete against Hitler’s team from Germany in the 1936 Olympics.
This book is about hard work, teamwork, perseverance, strength, friendship, leadership, and more. It is a powerful story that would be great for any teen, especially for a teen who loves sports.
Devotion Young Readers Edition by Adam Makos. Our family loves Amam Makos’s books. Devotion is a Korean War story of friendship, sacrifice, and the true meaning of a hero.
This book is one that I recommend for fiction readers who want to read more nonfiction.
Spearhead Young Adults Version by Adam Makos. This is another Adam Makos book that has been updated for young adults. It is the story of an American tank gunner during WWII.
Adam Makos makes history come alive, so if your teen or young adult needs to learn more about WWII, this would be a read.
I Am Malala Young Readers Edition by Malala Yousafzai. In Pakistan, in 2012, Malala was shot in the head while riding the bus home from school.
Her story shares the story of Swat Valley in Pakistan when the Taliban was taking over. This book tells a story that is hard to imagine for those who grow up in America.
Reading Malala’s story is a reminder to be thankful for what we as Americans have. Is America perfect? No, far from it, but we have freedom that other people in the world would love to have.
This book is good because it is a more modern day story, so teens and young adults might be able to relate to it more because Malala will be close to their age.
Shipwreck At the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and The Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong. Are you familiar with the story of Ernest Shackelton?
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his team left England, hoping to become the first explorers to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Instead, they became trapped in the ice and struggled to survive.
I am currently reading this and am enjoying it. I read Endurance, which is an adult version of this story, years ago, and loved it. This is not an adapted version of that book, instead it is the story of the Endurance told for young adults and teens.
This would be a good book for teens who love adventure stories.
Facing the Mountain Young Readers Edition by Daniel James Brown. We do not own this book, but I think I will buy it for Gracelyn’s classroom library. I loved this book and am sure the young adult adaption is also good.
This book is the powerful story of Japanese Americans during WWII. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many Japanese Americans were put into internment camps. At the same time, many young Japanese men became soldiers fighting for the country that was treating them so poorly.
Facing the Mountain is about a group of those young Japanese Americans who fought during WWII. They formed the 442nd RCT, the most decorated military unit of its size and length of service in American history.
It is a story of war, friendship, courage, and so much more. This is an important part of WWII and American history that more people need to know about. Teaching our young adults and teens about it helps ensure that it won’t be forgotten.
Do you have a nonfiction young adult book to recommend?