Young Adult Nonfiction

Judith A. Hayn is the Interim Associate Dean in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She publishes and presents regionally and nationally on issues of social justice in young adult literature.Jeffrey S. Kaplan is an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership at the University of Central Florida. As the former president of ALAN, Dr. Kaplan continues his research interests concerning the value of young adult literature.Amanda L. Nolen is the Interim Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is an Associate Professor of Educational Foundations in the School of Education.Heather A. Olvey earned her Masters of Secondary English Education degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She currently teaches in the Little Rock schools and continues her focus on teaching literacy through young adult literature.

A casual observer might dismiss this as an ordinary annotated bibliography, but it would be a mistake for librarians to bypass this guide to integrating nonfiction into middle- and high-school education. Part of the volume is bibliography, but the essays also suggest lessons and activities to accompany the highlighted works. This volume is meant to enhance teaching in language arts, social studies, and even science and mathematics. A chapter on collaboration between language arts and science teachers through nonfiction literature suggests numerous titles that integrate genetics, evolution, ecology, and epidemiology ... Another section suggests supplementing informational texts with historical fiction to enhance comprehension of history. Two particularly interesting components are a chapter on using graphic nonfiction to fortify STEM classes and another on using nonfiction to reinforce math vocabulary through stories. Following the articles is a bibliography of sources cited and additional works. More nonfiction selections sorted by discipline precede the detailed index. This is an essential addition to the professional collection in any middle or high school concerned with broadening student perspectives (or thorough implementation of the Common Core State Standards.)

• PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1Content Area Literacy and Young Adult Literature: Examining the PossibilitiesJudith A. Hayn and Heather A. OlveyChapter 2An Integrated Curricular Vision: Building Content Knowledge through Textual Connections, Close Reading, and Research StrategiesRachel L. WadhamChapter 3Integrating Knowledge and Ideas: Bringing YA Historical Fiction to Life with Informational TextsMelanie K. Hundley, Steven T. Bickmore, Paul E. Binford, and Jacqueline BachChapter 4Analyzing and Integrating: YA Science Books that Foster Interdisciplinary ConnectionsKelly B. BullChapter 5Problem Posing and Problem Solving: Using YA Literature to Develop Mathematical Understandings and Make Mathematical ConnectionsTrena L. Wilkerson, James M. Fetterly, and Betty K. WoodChapter 6Interdisciplinary Opportunities with YA Literature and the Common Core: An Exploration of the Black Freedom StruggleSusan L. Groenke, and Robert Prickett Chapter 7Graphic Texts as a Catalyst for Content Knowledge and Common Core Content Literacy Standards in STEM ClassesKarina R. Clemmons and Heather A. OlveyChapter 8Annotated Resources for the Classroom TeacherJudith A. Hayn, Kent Layton, and Heather A. OlveyAbout the Contributors