The best middle-grade nonfiction is just as absorbing as middle-grade fiction. my favorite brand of middle grade nonfiction is memoirs, especially graphic memoirs. I also enjoy the “self-help” genre, such as books designed to help children write better, improve their business methods, or find better friends.
If you’re looking to add more middle grade nonfiction to your reading list, then this list will help. I’ve included food books, graphic memoirs, historical stories, books to help kids write better, and much more.
You are reading: Nonfiction books for 7th graders
the best middle grade nonfiction books
Here are 25 best middle grade non-fiction books:
yummy: a history of desserts
Published: October 19, 2021
Ever wonder who first thought of freezing cream? Or when people started making sweet doughs to wrap fruity fillings? Peri is excited to show you the delicious history of candy as she takes you around the world and back! the team that made ice cream cones! the mistake the brownies made!
big apple diaries
Published: August 17, 2021
It’s the year 2000 in New York City. For 12-year-old Alyssa, this means splitting time between her Puerto Rican father’s apartment in Manhattan and her white mother’s new place in Queens, navigating the trials and tribulations of high school, and an epic crush on a new roommate. of class. the only way to make sense of it all is to capture the ups and downs in doodles and hilarious comics in a journal.
Then life changes abruptly on September 11, 2001. After the fall of the twin towers and so many lives lost, worries about gossip and boys feel distant and insignificant. Alyssa must find a new sense of self and purpose in the midst of all the chaos, and find the strength to carry on with hope.
passport
Published: November 2, 2021
young sofia has lived in so many different countries that she can barely keep count. Now stationed with her family in Central America due to her parents’ work, Sophia feels displaced as an American living abroad, when she has barely spent part of her life in America.
Everything changes when she reads a letter she should never have seen and discovers her parents’ secret. They are not who they say they are. They are working for the CIA. As Sophia tries to make sense of this news and the web of lies that surrounds her, she begins to question everything. The impact this has on Sophia’s emerging sense of herself and understanding of the world makes the exploration of lies and double lives turn a page.
In the hands of this amazing storyteller, this amazing true story comes to life.
thick
Published: June 22, 2021
hudi needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. Worried about Hudi’s serious medical problem when he was younger, his parents push him to try sports. hudi would rather do anything else, but then he meets chunky, his imaginary friend and pet. together, they decide to give baseball a try.
As the only Mexican and Jewish boy in his neighborhood, Hudi has found the cheerleader he never had. baseball doesn’t go well (unless you get hit by the ball counts), but the two friends have a lot of fun drawing and joking around. As Hudi’s parents continue to try to find the right sport for Hudi, Chunky encourages him to pursue his true love: comedy.
but when hudi’s dad loses his job, hudi finds it harder to chart his own course, even with chunky’s guidance. can chunky help hudi stay true to himself or will this friendship fail?
the boy who harnessed the wind (young readers edition)
Published: February 5, 2015
When a terrible drought hit the small village of William Kamkwamba in Malawi, his family lost all of their season’s crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began browsing science books in his town’s library, looking for a solution. There he came up with the idea that would change the life of his family forever: he could build a windmill. William’s windmill, made from scrap metal and old bicycle parts, brought electricity to his house and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm.
Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a dire situation, one child’s bright idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an afterword that will bring readers up to speed on William’s story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.
free lunch
Published: September 10, 2019
Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom signed him up for free meals. Like a poor kid in a rich school district, the better-off kids impatiently crowd behind him as she tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to yell.
Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade: who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween with a handmade costume, classmates, and a teacher. who look at him and decide he’s a problem, all while wearing second-hand clothes and hungry. his mom and his boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in social housing overlooking the school. rex stays at the end of last period every day until the buses leave, so no one will see where he lives.
poop happened!: a history of the world from the bottom up
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Published: May 11, 2010
Did lead pipes cause the fall of the roman empire? How many toilets were there in the average Egyptian pyramid?
How did a knight in fifty pounds of armor go to the bathroom? Was the lack of hygiene the straw that broke the camel’s back before the French revolution? Did Thomas Crapper Really Invent the Modern Toilet? how do astronauts go into space history finally comes out of the toilet in this exploration of how people’s need to relieve themselves shaped human development from ancient times to the present. Over time, the most successful civilizations were the ones that realized that everyone poops, and they better figure out how to get rid of it! From the world’s first flushing toilet invented by ancient Minoan plumbers to castle moats in the Middle Ages that used more than just water to repel enemies, Sarah Albee traces human civilization using a revolting yet fascinating theme. .
Child Athletes: True Childhood Stories of Sports Legends
Published: November 17, 2015
Forget gold medals, championships and undefeated seasons. when star athletes were growing up, they had normal kid problems like you. baseball legend babe ruth was such a troublemaker that his family sent him to juvie. Champion race car danica patrick defended herself against bullies who told her “girls can’t drive.” and soccer superstar Peyton Manning was forced to tango in her school play.
The child athletes tell all their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on every page. Other topics include Billie Jean King, Jackie Robinson, Yao Ming, Gabby Douglas, Tiger Woods, Julie Krone, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, Bobby Orr, Lionel Messi, and more!
the boys on the ship (adapted for young readers)
Published: September 8, 2015
For readers of unbroken, from the depths of the Great Depression comes the amazing story of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true determination really means. With oarsmen who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the washington university crew of eight oars was never expected to defeat the elite east coast teams, yet they did, and they shocked the world by challenge the german oar for adolf hitler. At the center of the story is Joe Rantz, a teenager with no family or prospects, whose personal quest captures the spirit of his generation, the generation that would prove for years to come that the Nazis could not prevail over American determination and optimism. /p>
The Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue Of The Thai Men’s Soccer Team
Published: October 13, 2020
on June 23, 2018, twelve young players from the wild boars soccer team and their coach enter a cave in northern thailand looking for an afternoon of adventure. but as they turn to leave, rising flood waters block their path. the boys are trapped! Before long, news of the missing team spreads, sparking a seventeen-day rescue operation involving thousands of rescuers from around the world. As the world sits awake, people are beginning to wonder: how long can a group of ordinary children survive in total darkness, without food and clean water? Fortunately, wild boars are a very extraordinary “ordinary” group. Combining first-hand interviews from rescuers with deep science and insights into the culture and religion of the region, author Christina Soontornvat, who was visiting her family in northern Thailand when the boars went missing, masterfully shows how both the complex operation of engineering above ground as the mental struggles of the thirteen youths below proved critical in the life-or-death mission. Meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated with photographs, this page turner includes an author’s note describing her experience meeting the team, detailed source notes, and a bibliography to fully immerse readers in the most ambitious cave rescue in history. story.
the deaf
Published: October 13, 2020
Starting at a new school is scary, especially with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At his old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. here, she is different. she is sure that the children are looking at the phonic ear, the powerful aid that will help her listen to her teacher. she pity that she also seems sure that she repels potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With phonic hearing, she can hear her teacher not only in the classroom, but anywhere in the school where her teacher is: in the hallway. . . in the teacher’s room. . . in the bathroom! this is power, maybe even superpowers! cece is on her way to becoming the deaf one, the listener of all. but the fun thing about being a superhero is that she’s just another way to feel different. . . and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers to find what she wants most, a true friend?
smile
Published: February 1, 2010
raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. but one night, after Girl Scouts, she trips and falls, badly injuring her two front teeth. what she follows is a long and frustrating journey with intermittent braces, surgery, embarrassing helmets, and even a retainer with false teeth attached. And on top of all of that, there’s still more to deal with: a huge earthquake, confusion of guys, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.
missing amelia: the life and disappearance of amelia earhart
Published: February 8, 2011
In alternating chapters, Fleming deftly moves readers between Amelia’s life (from childhood to her last flight) and the exhaustive search for her and her missing plane. Featuring incredible photos, maps, and handwritten notes from Amelia herself, plus informative sidebars that cover everything from the history of the flight to what Amelia liked to eat while flying (tomato soup), this unique title from No. fiction is tailor-made for middle grade students.
it’s trevor noah: born as a crime: stories from a south african childhood
Published: April 9, 2019
trevor noah, host of the daily show on comedy central, shares his remarkable story of growing up in south africa with a black south african mother and a white european father at a time when it was illegal for a mixed race. child to exist. But he did exist, and from the beginning, the often misbehaving Trevor used his sharp intelligence and humor to live a tough life under a racist government.
In a country where racism prevented blacks from having social, educational, and economic opportunities, Trevor overcame staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself thanks to his mother’s unwavering love and indomitable will.
learning mysteries: girls who loved math
Published: August 4, 2020
After spending her childhood stargazing, caroline herschel became the first woman to discover a comet and earn a salary for scientific research. florence nightingale was a pioneering nurse whose work reformed hospitals and one of the founders of the field of medical statistics. The first female electrical engineer, Hertha Mark Ayrton registered twenty-six patents for her inventions.
marie tharp helped create the first map of the entire ocean floor, helping scientists understand our underwater world and suggesting how continents moved. A mathematical prodigy, katherine johnson calculated trajectories and launch windows for many nasa projects, including the apollo 11 mission. edna lee paisano, a citizen of the nez perce nation, She was the first Native American to work full-time for the Census Bureau, overseeing a large increase in American Indian and Alaska Native representation. and vera rubin studied more than two hundred galaxies and found the first solid evidence of dark matter.
Told in vibrant and evocative poems, this stunning novel celebrates seven remarkable women who used mathematics as a key to explore the mysteries of the universe and grew up to do groundbreaking work that changed the world.
bee without fear: dream like a child
Published: August 18, 2020
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when mikaila ulmer was four years old, she was stung twice in one week by a bee. she was terrified to leave it, so her parents encouraged her to learn more about bees so she wouldn’t be afraid. she worked. Ella Mikaila not only learned the important role that bees play in our ecosystem, but she also learned that bees are in danger of extinction and she set out to save them. she started by selling glasses of lemonade in front of her house and donating the small profits to organizations dedicated to the conservation of bees. when she realized that the more lemonade she sold, the more bees she could help, me & she was born the lemonade of the bees. she now she sells her lemonade all over the country. From meetings with Fortune 500 CEOs, to securing a shark tank deal, to even visiting the Obama White House, Mikaila’s Lemonade and her passion for bee conservation have taken her far. p>
the playbook: 52 rules to aim, shoot and score in this game called life
Published: February 14, 2017
You have to know the rules to play the game. the ball is life. take it to the hoop soar. In this inspirational book filled with poetry and inspiring lessons on the rules of life, Newbury Medal winner Kwame Alexander shares uplifting quotes from stellar athletes like Stephen Curry and Venus Williams and other wonderfully influential figures like Sonia Sotomayor and Michelle Obama.
what can we imagine for our lives? what if we were the star players, moving and moving through the game of life? what if we had our own rules of the game to help us get what we want, what we aspire to, what will enrich our lives? Illustrated with photography by Thai Neave, the playbook is meant to provide inspiration on the court of life. Each rule contains wisdom from inspirational athletes and role models like Nelson Mandela, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Carli Lloyd, Steph Curry, and Michelle Obama. kwame alexander also offers his own poetic and uplifting words as he shares stories of overcoming obstacles and winning games in this motivating and inspiring book for readers of any age and anyone who needs a little encouragement.
I’m Not a Label: 34 Disabled Artists, Thinkers, Athletes, and Activists Past and Present
Published: July 7, 2020
These short biographies tell the stories of people who have faced unique challenges that have not stopped them from becoming pioneers, innovators, advocates, and creators. each person is a leading figure in their field, whether in sports, science, math, art, breakdancing, or the world of pop.
Challenge your preconceptions about disability and mental health with the revealing stories of these extraordinary people:
ludwig van beethoven, gustav kirchhoff, henri matisse, eliza suggs, helen keller, frida kahlo, john nash, stephen hawking, temple grandin, stevie wonder, nabil shaban, terry fox, peter dinklage, catalina devandas, wanda diaz-merced , victor pineda, arunima sinha, abraham lincoln, demi lovato, matt haig, redouan ait chitt, emmanuel ofosu yeboah, farida bedwei, jonas jacobsson, trischa zorn, ade adepitan, stella young, lady gaga, naoki higashida, isabella springmuhl tejada, aaron philip, michelle akers, little wayne, dynamo
how to be a person: 65 very useful and super important skills to learn before you are an adult
Published: May 26, 2020
For the child who leaves a wet towel on the floor or forgets to put a new roll in the toilet paper roll, resourceful parenting writer and etiquette columnist Catherine Newman has created the definitive guide to essential skills for toilet paper. children’s life. Packed with tips, tricks, and advice, all illustrated in compelling graphic novel style, How to Be a Person shows kids how easy it is to break free from parental hassles and become more trustworthy, and they’ll like themselves. better, too! They’ll learn how to do tasks like loading the dishwasher and making the bed, brush up on communication skills like making a phone call and apologizing, and master 61 other super-useful skills, including how to stand up for someone, fold a t-shirt. shirt and turn a 33-cent pack of ramen into dinner. Improve work-life balance for the whole family with this kids’ guide to growing up.
when the stars disperse
Published: April 14, 2020
omar and his younger brother hassan have spent most of their lives in dadaab, a refugee camp in kenya. life is hard there: there’s never enough food, it’s painfully boring, and you don’t have access to the medical care that omar knows his non-verbal brother needs. So when Omar gets the chance to go to school, he knows it could be a chance to change his future. . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only relative he has left, every day.
never caught, the story of a judge: the brave slave of george and martha washington who dared to run away; young readers edition
Published: January 8, 2019
In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and harrowing behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons as the first family, and an in-depth look at their slave, a judge, who dared to escape from one of the parents. founders of the nation.
Born into a life of slavery, a judge eventually grew up to become George and Martha Washington’s “favorite” dower slave. When told that she was to be given as a wedding gift to Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Ella made the bold and courageous decision to flee north, where she would be a fugitive.
from her childhood, through washington and living in the slave quarters, to her flight to new hampshire, erica armstrong dunbar, along with kathleen van cleve, shares an intimate look into the life of a little-known but powerful figure in history, and his brave journey while on the run from the most powerful couple in the country.
bff or nrf (not really friends): a girl’s guide to happy friendships
Published: July 20, 2021
Friendships are hard to navigate, even for adults. The tween years can be particularly tricky, but we’ve got your back! Packed with fun quizzes, colorful illustrations, and stories about girls like you, bffs, or nrfs (not really friends), this is the ultimate interactive guide to help you learn the ins and outs of friendship. explore the topics of gossip, bullying, and feeling left out, along with ways to strengthen the friendships that matter most to you.
Mightier Than The Sword: Rebels, Reformers, And Revolutionaries Who Changed The World Through Writing
Published: July 27, 2021
Throughout history, people have picked up their pens and wielded their words, transforming their lives, their communities, and beyond. now is your turn! Representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, Mightier Than The Sword connects more than forty inspiring biographies with life-changing activities and writing tips, showing readers just how much of a difference their own words can make. Readers will explore nature with Rachel Carson, experience the dawn of the Reformation with Martin Luther, stand up for women’s rights with Sojourner Truth, and more. These richly illustrated stories from inspiring speakers, scientists, explorers, authors, poets, activists, and even other children and young adults will engage and encourage young people to pay attention to their world, honor their own ideas and dreams, and embrace the transformative power of words to bring good to the world.
the talk: conversations about race, love & truth
Published: August 11, 2020
As long as racist ideas persist, families will continue to have difficult and necessary conversations with their young children about it. In this inspiring collection, literary stars like Renée Watson (Putting Me Back), Grace Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon), Meg Medina (Merci Suárez Shifts Gears), Adam Gidwitz (The Inquisitor’s Tale), and many more engage youth in candid conversations about race, identity, and self-esteem. With text and images filled with love, acceptance, truth, peace, and the assurance that there can be hope for a better tomorrow, The Talk is a moving anthology and must-have resource published in partnership with Just Us Books, a Black-owned book. children’s publishing house that has been in operation for more than thirty years. just us books continues its mission based on the same belief that helped launch the company: good books make a difference. then, let’s talk.
dear ally, how do you write a book?
Published: March 26, 2019
Have you always wanted to write a book, but don’t know where to start? or maybe you’re really good at writing the first few chapters. . . but you never get to the end? Or you finally have a finished manuscript, but you’re not sure what to do next? Fear not: If you have writing-related questions, this book has answers! Whether you’re writing for fun or to build a career, bestselling author Ally Carter is ready to help you make his work shine. With honesty, encouragement, and humor, Ally is ready to answer the questions writers struggle with the most. Packed with practical and helpful advice, Dear Ally is a treasure trove for aspiring writers at any stage in their careers. offers a behind-the-scenes look at how books are made, from idea to publication, and gives you insight into the writing processes of some of the greatest and most talented authors writing today.
there they are: 25 of the best middle grade nonfiction books! Which ones have you read and which ones did I miss?
See Also: Fairy Tale Chapter Books for Older Children –
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