Assess Your Collection with the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
Since so many of you take time over the summer to evaluate and update your collections to make sure they will best serve your students, we wanted to remind you of the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction classification system, created by author Melissa Stewart.
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction system helps librarians expand and balance their nonfiction collection to provide a broad array of titles that appeal to different types of readers. It also helps students select books they like, predict the type of information they will find in a book, and use the books for specific purposes. All Lerner nonfiction is classified according to this system, including upcoming fall releases!
Browseable
Browseable nonfiction includes an eye-catching design with lots of illustrations and/or photographs and clear, straightforward text. The books can be read from cover to cover for readers who want to know absolutely everything, but other readers have the freedom to focus on the content that really interests them. See all browseable nonfiction titles on lernerbooks.com:
Browseable Nonfiction from Lerner
Traditional
Traditional nonfiction includes survey/”all-about” books that provide a general overview of a topic. They are often part of a larger series and feature clear, straightforward language. They offer readers a broad introduction to a topic and are often used early in the research process to build understanding. See all traditional nonfiction titles on lernerbooks.com:
Traditional Nonfiction from Lerner
Expository Literature
Expository literature is a form of nonfiction that uses a strong voice and rich, engaging language to creatively share information about a focused topic. It usually demonstrates carefully chosen text structure and an innovative format. Check out all expository literature titles on our website:
Expository Nonfiction from Lerner
Active
Active nonfiction often teaches skills that readers can use to engage in an activity. Craft books, cookbooks, and books of scientific experiments all fall into this category. Here’s an overview of Active Nonfiction and a look at some of active nonfiction titles. Browse more Active nonfiction books on our website:
Narrative
Narrative nonfiction reads like a story, but all the information is true. It appeals to readers who love fiction, and it’s a great way for kids to learn about people’s lives and historical events. Browse all Narrative Nonfiction titles on lernerbooks.com:
Narrative Nonfiction from Lerner
Click over to a 5KNF tag on our blog for a series of guests posts from nonfiction authors, including this post by the 5KNF creator Melissa Stewart.
And checkout the collection of resources on our website related to the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, such as an overview flyer, an audit checklist flyer, and an 11 x 17 poster you can print and hang for a helpful reference to each type at a glance.