List
Notable Teen Nonfiction
School's out, but there's always more to learn! These engaging nonfiction titles for teens are not your average assigned readings.
-
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History
2023 by Aberg-Riger, ArielGet this itemThis is not your school history textbook! Eye-catching collages unpack scenes from American history with a critical eye. Crack it open to learn about eugenics, gun culture, AIDs activism, environmental racism, and more. These stories transcend the page and shape the country we live in today.
-
Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire
2024 by Anderson, Ferin DavisGet this itemLook no further for answers to your burning questions. Environmental scientist Ferin Davis Anderson breaks down humanity's history with fire, highlights the wisdom of Indigenous fire practices, and explains the absolutely real and terrifying phenomenon of "zombie fires" in this timely book.
-
Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States
2024 by Mann, J. AlbertGet this itemCurious about the gig economy? Wonder when a minimum wage was established in the United States? This sweeping history covers it all, from early colonial America to the 21st century. In its short, conversational chapters, you'll discover the history of worker actions from railroad workers to Uber drivers.
-
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality
2022 by Schrefer, EliotGet this itemStarting from questions like "Are dolphins just gay sharks?," this book explodes typical scientific narratives to explore the diverse sexes and sexualities of the animal world. Comics of GSA-attending doodlebugs, interviews with animal experts, and a critical history of science blend factual humor with awe-inspiring accounts of queerness in nature.
-
Climate Is Just the Start
2025 by Loach, MikaelaGet this itemThis accessible introduction to the climate crisis also energizes readers to imagine and fight for a better world. An optimistic urgency threads through the text, while bold graphics and illustrations bring the facts to life.
-
Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories
2025 by Yellowhorn, EldonGet this itemDive into profiles of Indigenous creators and history makers in this Indigenous-led anthology that rejects colonial control. Witness the fierce comics of Jay Odjick (Zibi Anishinabeg), 19th-century journal entries from Ada Blackjack (Inupiaq), and more through text and image.
-
Smash the Patriarchy: A Graphic Novel
2023 by Breen, MartaGet this itemOriginally published in Norwegian, this graphic history fights patriarchy with caricature. With pages packed with global feminist icons and patriarchal foes to know, you'll definitely learn some new names and faces that make you want to celebrate, laugh, and rage.
-
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School
2024 by Jewell, TiffanyGet this itemFull of personal stories, this anthology tackles the systemic racism that Black and Brown students face in American school systems. Short and impactful chapters by a number of authors of color unpack the harms they experienced from preschool to college. Concluding resources empower students to take control of their own educations.
-
Where Have All the Birds Gone? Nature in Crisis
2022 by Hirsch, Rebecca E.Get this itemSince 1970, almost three billion birds have disappeared from our North American backyards. Facing the hazards of hunting, pollution, reflective windows, and prowling housecats, bird populations are dropping. Yet scientists and bird lovers haven't given up hope. Explore how you can support our bird neighbors and the planet we all inhabit.
-
What the Fact?
2022 by Yasmin, SeemaGet this itemInformation moves at record speeds online. Can you tell the facts from fiction before social media moves on to the next headline? Doctor and journalist Seema Yasmin breaks down how you can root out misinformation for yourself to avoid being duped.
Bookmatch
Bookmatch allows Skokie Library cardholders to receive a custom list of titles prepared for you by the library's expert staff.
Try Bookmatch