We’re back with more books that our Category Chairs have their eyes on! All of the books listed in this post can also be found on our 2023 CYBILS Eligible shelf on Goodreads.
INTRODUCING RESHAMA DESHMUKH, NONFICTION CHAIR
Reshama describes herself not just as a voracious reader, but one who values access to books. She grew up in India, where her passion for reading outpaced opportunities to enjoy books. Now she lives in an area where there is an abundance of library systems, and she couldn’t be happier.
Before becoming a Category Chair, Reshama served as a judge for the Graphic Novels and Elementary/Middle-Grade Nonfiction categories. For 2023, she will be guiding judges for each of the three divisions of Nonfiction books. She did it last year and loved it. She’s always excited to see what gets nominated and even more to explore and talk about these books with her panels.
RESHAMA’S RECOMMENDATIONS
The Nonfiction category is divided into three divisions, by audience: Elementary, Middle-Grade, and High School. Reshama has a nice selection of options. We’d love to hear which ones speak to you or that you’ve read and love!
NON-FICTION ELEMENTARY
Cut!: How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation
by C.E. Winters, Matt Schu (illustrator)
In the 1920s, when young women had limited opportunities, Lotte Reiniger used her curiosity and ingenuity to change the landscape of animation forever. Inspired by the films of her youth, and encouraged by teachers and mentors working in film at the time, Lotte Reiniger honed her skills in cutting out paper silhouettes to use in stop-motion animation.
In the 1920s, when young women had limited opportunities, Lotte Reiniger used her curiosity and ingenuity to change the landscape of animation forever. Inspired by the films of her youth, and encouraged by teachers and mentors working in film at the time, Lotte Reiniger honed her skills in cutting out paper silhouettes to use in stop-motion animation.
How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee
by Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
(Illustrator)
In 1936, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee. And with that win, she was asked to compete at the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, where she and a girl from New Jersey were the first African Americans invited since its founding...But celebration turned to chill when the train crossed the state line into Maryland, where segregation was the law of the land. Prejudice and discrimination ruled—on the train, in the hotel, and, sadly, at the spelling bee itself.
(Illustrator)
In 1936, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee. And with that win, she was asked to compete at the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, where she and a girl from New Jersey were the first African Americans invited since its founding...But celebration turned to chill when the train crossed the state line into Maryland, where segregation was the law of the land. Prejudice and discrimination ruled—on the train, in the hotel, and, sadly, at the spelling bee itself.
One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival
by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy
Deep in the tropical forest of Costa Rica, ten sticky frog eggs cling to a leaf. Only nine eggs hatch. Only eight tadpoles wind up in the water below. What will it take to survive the countdown to adulthood and begin the cycle again? This beautifully designed, color-drenched introduction to frog metamorphosis peeks at this animal's habitats and predators as it illustrates competition and natural selection.
Deep in the tropical forest of Costa Rica, ten sticky frog eggs cling to a leaf. Only nine eggs hatch. Only eight tadpoles wind up in the water below. What will it take to survive the countdown to adulthood and begin the cycle again? This beautifully designed, color-drenched introduction to frog metamorphosis peeks at this animal's habitats and predators as it illustrates competition and natural selection.
Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest
Patricia Gualinga, Laura Resau (Contributor),
Vanessa Jaramillo (Contributor)
An inspiring true story about how an activist in the Amazon worked with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests. The Kichwa community worked with other Indigenous groups to bring the Ecuadorian government to the Court of Human Rights.
Vanessa Jaramillo (Contributor)
An inspiring true story about how an activist in the Amazon worked with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests. The Kichwa community worked with other Indigenous groups to bring the Ecuadorian government to the Court of Human Rights.
Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater
Catherine Barr. Christiane Engel (Illustrator)
Water bubbles, flows, and fuels all life on earth. But worldwide pollution and climate change make it increasingly difficult for people and animals to find the clean water they need to survive. A focused call for action, this lively book narrates the history of our watery earth, succinctly explains the water cycle and the different types of freshwater, and introduces the vast array of living beings that depend on clean water for survival—as well as the devastating impact of water shortages on the lives of children around the world.
Water bubbles, flows, and fuels all life on earth. But worldwide pollution and climate change make it increasingly difficult for people and animals to find the clean water they need to survive. A focused call for action, this lively book narrates the history of our watery earth, succinctly explains the water cycle and the different types of freshwater, and introduces the vast array of living beings that depend on clean water for survival—as well as the devastating impact of water shortages on the lives of children around the world.
NON-FICTION MIDDLE GRADE
Better Connected: How Girls Are Using Social Media for …
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Julia Kyi, and Vivian Rosas (Illustrator)
The online world has real dangers, but girls around the world are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship...From environmental activism to gun control, immigration policy to education access, girls are leading the way. They're showing up, teaming up and speaking up. With profiles of real changemakers and practical tools for getting started, Better Connected is an inspiring look at the amazing things girls can accomplish online.
The online world has real dangers, but girls around the world are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship...From environmental activism to gun control, immigration policy to education access, girls are leading the way. They're showing up, teaming up and speaking up. With profiles of real changemakers and practical tools for getting started, Better Connected is an inspiring look at the amazing things girls can accomplish online.
Making More: How Life Begins
by Katherine Roy
Everywhere, all around you, life is making more. From fish to mammals and plants to insects, every organism on Earth must reproduce, and the survival of each species―and of life itself―depends on this and on the diversity it creates.
Everywhere, all around you, life is making more. From fish to mammals and plants to insects, every organism on Earth must reproduce, and the survival of each species―and of life itself―depends on this and on the diversity it creates.
More than Words: Navigating the Complex World of Communication
Natalie Hyde, Valerie Sherrard, David Jardine (Illustrator)
You’re always making an impression on someone. And not just with the things you say either. Communication involves a lot more than talking. You’ll be amazed at how many ways there are to express yourself without speaking ― body language, hand gestures, facial expressions, they all have a lot to say. The trick is learning to read them from others and to be aware of the silent signals you’re giving off yourself. That’s what this book is for! To help you communicate effectively and with confidence.
You’re always making an impression on someone. And not just with the things you say either. Communication involves a lot more than talking. You’ll be amazed at how many ways there are to express yourself without speaking ― body language, hand gestures, facial expressions, they all have a lot to say. The trick is learning to read them from others and to be aware of the silent signals you’re giving off yourself. That’s what this book is for! To help you communicate effectively and with confidence.
Saving the Night: How Light Pollution Is Harming Life on Earth
by Stephen Aitken
Light pollution threatens the survival of every living species on our planet, including people. It started when Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb more than 150 years ago. Then, as electric light became more common, light pollution began to take over cities and towns. Today, in urban centers all over the world, the stars in the sky aren't visible. Millions of people have never seen the Milky Way.
Light pollution threatens the survival of every living species on our planet, including people. It started when Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb more than 150 years ago. Then, as electric light became more common, light pollution began to take over cities and towns. Today, in urban centers all over the world, the stars in the sky aren't visible. Millions of people have never seen the Milky Way.
Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World
by Rebecca Donnelly, John Hendrix (Illustrator)
Trash has been part of human societies since the beginning. It seems like the inevitable end to the process of making and using things―but why?
In this fascinating account of the waste we make, we'll wade into the muck of history and explore present-day STEM innovations to answer these important [questions, and] help us see how our choices, personal and societal, impact our world and our planet―and encouraging us make a change.
Trash has been part of human societies since the beginning. It seems like the inevitable end to the process of making and using things―but why?
In this fascinating account of the waste we make, we'll wade into the muck of history and explore present-day STEM innovations to answer these important [questions, and] help us see how our choices, personal and societal, impact our world and our planet―and encouraging us make a change.
NON-FICTION HIGH SCHOOL
Cash is Queen: A Girl’s Guide to Securing, Spending and Stashing in Cash
Davinia Tomlinson, Andrea Oerter (Illustrator)
Cash is Queen breaks down the basics of how young women of today can learn to understand and manage money—an empowering skill that will last them a lifetime. With clear explanations and empowering text by experienced financial expert Davinia Tomlinson, you’ll learn that establishing a positive relationship with money as an adult must be cultivated in childhood.
Cash is Queen breaks down the basics of how young women of today can learn to understand and manage money—an empowering skill that will last them a lifetime. With clear explanations and empowering text by experienced financial expert Davinia Tomlinson, you’ll learn that establishing a positive relationship with money as an adult must be cultivated in childhood.
Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out
by Muzoon Almellehan, Wendy Pearlman
When her family had to flee Syria, 14-year-old Muzoon was told to pack only the most essential things—and so she packed her schoolbooks.
This is the inspiring true story of a Syrian refugee who fought hard for what she needed—and grew into one of the world's leading advocates for education.
When her family had to flee Syria, 14-year-old Muzoon was told to pack only the most essential things—and so she packed her schoolbooks.
This is the inspiring true story of a Syrian refugee who fought hard for what she needed—and grew into one of the world's leading advocates for education.
My Body My Choice: The Fight for Abortion Rights (Orca …
by Robin Stevenson
Abortion is one of the most common of all medical procedures. But it is still stigmatized, and all too often people do not feel they can talk about their experiences...he long fight for abortion rights is being picked up by a new generation of courageous, creative and passionate activists. This book is about the history, and the future, of that fight.
Abortion is one of the most common of all medical procedures. But it is still stigmatized, and all too often people do not feel they can talk about their experiences...he long fight for abortion rights is being picked up by a new generation of courageous, creative and passionate activists. This book is about the history, and the future, of that fight.
Spare Parts (Young Readers’ Edition): The True Story of Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and an Impossible Dream
Joshua Davis, Reyna Grande (Adapter)
In 2004, four undocumented Mexican teenagers arrived at the national underwater robotics championship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. No one had ever told Oscar, Cristian, Luis, or Lorenzo that they would amount to much―until two inspiring high school science teachers convinced the boys to enter the competition. Up against some of the best collegiate engineers in the country, this team of underdogs from Phoenix, Arizona, scraped together spare parts and a few small donations to astound not only the competition's judges but themselves, too.
In 2004, four undocumented Mexican teenagers arrived at the national underwater robotics championship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. No one had ever told Oscar, Cristian, Luis, or Lorenzo that they would amount to much―until two inspiring high school science teachers convinced the boys to enter the competition. Up against some of the best collegiate engineers in the country, this team of underdogs from Phoenix, Arizona, scraped together spare parts and a few small donations to astound not only the competition's judges but themselves, too.
Female, Gifted, and Black: Awesome Art and Literary Pioneers Who Changed the World
by Becca Anderson, M.J. Fievre
Embrace Black girl magic and learn about the Black historical figures who made their impact on society as we know it. Whether you learned about these women in school or not, these Black historical figures changed society and inspired future generations.
Embrace Black girl magic and learn about the Black historical figures who made their impact on society as we know it. Whether you learned about these women in school or not, these Black historical figures changed society and inspired future generations.