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The Kids Are All Right

Fantastic New Nonfiction Books for Children (and Adults!)

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I know I just did a nonfiction picture book post a couple of months ago, but there have been such great new ones that I had to share more!

Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott and Brie Spangler, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

This book is a gift. Filled with gorgeous art and illustrations, the book tells the story of Judith Scott, who was born with Down Syndrome, was deaf, and never learned to speak. Institutionalized until her sister grew up and brought her to live with her family, she then was enrolled in art classes and discovered her passion and talent for mixed media.

Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman by Sharice Davids and Nancy K. Mays, illustrated by Joshua Manyeshig Pawis-Steckley

This new picture book tells the story of one of the first Native American women to be elected to Congress as well as the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. When she began her campaign, many people doubted that she could win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from. But Sharice persisted, and this is her story.

Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor by Kate Messner, illustrated by Alexandra Bye

This great biography begins with Anthony growing up in Brooklyn, delivering prescriptions via blue Schwinn bike to customers from his father’s pharmacy. When he went to college, he studied medicine and then went on to serve under seven presidents, tackling some of the most challenging public health crises. This informative and interesting book is an excellent introduction to the man who became famous during the COVID pandemic.

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner by Rita Williams-Garcia and Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

This chapter book is the perfect story to read leading up to the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Considered the fastest woman of all time, Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, set two world records in 1988 that still stand today. But getting there wasn’t easy, and Flo Jo had to overcome many challenges along the way. Her story is sure to inspire young readers to pursue their dreams.

Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas by Anita Silvey

This fantastic book follows the life of Dian Fossey, who in 1963 spent all her savings and took out a loan to to go to Africa. While she had no formal science training, she happened to meet paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey, who helped her pursue her goal of studying animals in the wild. Fossey set up a research camp and threw herself into tracking and observing mountain gorillas. Over the next 18 years, Fossey got closer to gorillas than any human ever had before.