I'm not big on nonfiction. I think it's because I'm just so into YA that I rarely venture off into other age-groups. And there isn't a ton of great YA nonfiction (that I've found, at least). The Year We Disappeared by Cindy and John Busby was one I checked out a while ago and ended up really liking, though, so I think it's just a matter of finding the right book.
Because I'm such a fiction junkie, I like nonfiction that reads like a story. I don't want something told to me in facts - I want it to be presented as the main characters saw it. So, basically, nonfiction that sounds like fiction. Maybe I'm just not too big on the genre.
Anyway, I'm writing this post to find out about any YA nonfiction titles you've heard or read about. I'm trying to get into more branches of Young Adult that you don't usually see or read about. I might even try some varied religious fiction, (wicca, Christian, whatever), just to expand my horizons. And I definitely need to read more classics. *sigh*
But right now I'm trying to focus on nonfiction. So. Do any of you have any good recommendations?
Also, as a side note - the big Simply Irresistible contest ends on July 20th, when I'll kick-start my new weekly contests again! (and hopefully for a longer period this time.)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Nonfiction
Posted by Chelsea at 4:36 AM
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17 comments:
Have you read Grief Girl by my agent mate Erin Vincent? That's the only non-fiction YA I can even think of. It's a good one, though. Oh wait, I also know I Don't Want to Be Crazy by Samantha Scultz, but I haven't read that one.
Are you only looking for books specifically marketed as YA? If not, I'd recommend the following biographies about the author's teen years:
-Chalked Up by Jennifer Sey
-The Only Girl in the Car by Kathy Dobie
-Loose Girl by Kerry Cohen
-Riding in Cars With Boys by Beverly Donofrio
The only one I can think of is Model by Cheryl Diamond. I believe that is the author's name...
The Glass Castle isn't technically YA non-fiction, but it's mostly about her growing up, so it feels like YA. It is SO good - entirely readable.
Holly - I actually read I Don't Want to be Crazy and LOVED it. Completely forgot about that. And thanks for the new recs. I'll definitely check into them.
Diana - knew that one, too! I read it. Man, I'm forgetful. But that's the exact type of book I'm looking for. YA Nonfiction that reads like fiction. Model's perfect for that.
Jannsen, I'll check The Glass Castle out. I've heard a lot about it.
Thanks guys! :)
What about Danica McKellar's book, Math Doesn't Suck? Isn't that aimed at YA audience? I haven't read it but heard it's pretty good.
I second The Glass Castle. Very compulsively readable!
The Overachievers by Alexandra Robbins is one of my favorite books of all time, and it's nonfiction but written in a story-like way, with alternate POVs interspersed with more factual sections. It's about the pressure for high school students to succeed succeed succeed. I love it. I haven't read Alexandra's other books yet, but she's written one uncovering sororities called Pledged, and another about Yale's secret Skull & Bones society. Check them out, please!!
If you like the musical RENT, Anthony Rapp, the OBC Mark, has a memoir called Without You. It's about his time in the OBC of RENT as well as dealing with his mom's cancer. It's really good!
I know what you mean, I usually don't find any nonfiction that I like. I did like: Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli. Other than that, I can't think of any nonfiction book that I've liked a lot.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou -it's fantastic and, like you wanted, reads like a story.
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi is a great nonfiction book!
It's an older book, but Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt has definite YA appeal.
Oh... Also Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos and Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich (the latter is still--or again?--hugely popular w/ the teens in our library). And of course the perennial favoriet, A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer.
Night by Elie Wiesel...I don't know why it took me so long, but I just read it!
it always seems that memoirs that take place during childhood or teen years are always labeled as adult. :/
The only book I can think of is Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, which is labeled adult, but I think many older teens could enjoy it.
Have you ever read Tweak by Nick Sheff? It's a little edgy; it's an autobiographical look into a boy's fall to addiction to meth. His father also wrote an autobiography on his perspective of the whole experience called Beautiful Boy (but his first name escapes me right now.. his surname is Sheff as well though.)
Malcolm Gladwell hands down. Amazing stuff.
I feel the same way about "readable" nonfiction. To be honest, I wanted nothing to do with nonfiction until the 8th grade. That year I read a memoir of a Holocaust victim (sorry, I can't remember the name). That book made me realize that I can like nonfiction if it reads like a story.
-Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
-First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung (got an autographed copy when she visited my school!!)
-the sequel, Lucky Girl
Hole In My Life is good, and it's ironic that he always wanted to be an author...
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