Hello, teacher friend! If you’re anything like me, you know that creating high engagement in the classroom is essential. Selecting literature that resonates with students while challenging them to grow intellectually and emotionally is a delicate balance. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of three exceptional nonfiction reads that bring high engagement and rich themes to any high school language arts classroom. Each of these books connects deeply with students’ lives and fosters meaningful discussions. Let’s dive in!
Don't miss these nonfiction reads!
1. Freedom Writers Diary
One of my students’ favorite reads is The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell. This text is a compilation of diary entries from students in one of the most socio-economically and cultural diverse communities in California.
Erin Gruwell met these students during their freshman year of high school. They were academically forgotten and rejected by the school system. Through her persistence and commitment to their education, she was able to develop relations and slowly invoke change. Throughout their four years, these students tell powerful stories of hope, perseverance, and overall academic growth.
Even though my students did not deal with some of the daily issues the Freedom Writers dealt with like violence, gangs, and high rates of poverty, there were so many. My students were amazed at how many issues they can relate to like friendship problems, academic struggles, family conflicts, and more. In their own words, the Freedom Writers write about overcoming struggles, loss, and challenges beyond their control. With the support of a caring adult, these students thrive in a system that is constantly working against them.
1. The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell
One of my students’ all-time favorites is The Freedom Writers Diary. This powerful compilation of diary entries captures the raw voices of high school students from one of the most socio-economically and culturally diverse communities in California. Under the guidance of their inspirational teacher, Erin Gruwell, these students document their struggles and triumphs during their four transformative years of high school.
Why It Resonates:
Even though many of my students don’t face the exact challenges portrayed in the book—such as violence, gang involvement, or systemic poverty—they find plenty of relatable themes. From academic struggles to friendship conflicts and family tensions, The Freedom Writers Diary touches on issues universal to the high school experience. Students are often amazed by how much they connect with the writers’ stories of resilience, growth, and perseverance.
Classroom Highlights:
- Engaging Discussions: The vivid, raw language in the book opens the door to honest classroom conversations about the power of education, the impact of a supportive mentor, and overcoming adversity.
- Themes of Transformation: Students enjoy tracking how the writers’ language evolves over time, symbolizing their academic and personal growth.
- Cross-Media Connections: Pairing the book with the 2007 film adaptation starring Hilary Swank allows for critical comparisons of how the narrative shifts between mediums.
Teaching Tip:
Prepare your class to encounter some vivid and raw descriptions in the book. While many students note that it’s no worse than hallway chatter, it’s worth discussing the purpose and impact of this language. Use these moments to explore how the writers’ authenticity adds depth to their stories.
If you’re looking for a high-engagement book that highlights the transformative power of education, The Freedom Writers Diary is a perfect choice!
2. Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Another high-interest nonfiction selection is Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed. This eye-opening book follows Ehrenreich as she immerses herself in the world of minimum-wage workers during the late 1990s. From cleaning homes to working at Walmart, she explores the harsh realities of living paycheck-to-paycheck in pursuit of the American Dream.
Why It Resonates:
This book offers students a sobering look at the challenges faced by low-wage workers, covering themes like financial insecurity, healthcare costs, and housing instability. Many students are shocked by the systemic obstacles Ehrenreich uncovers and are eager to discuss the implications of her findings. The book encourages them to think critically about fairness, opportunity, and the realities of modern economic systems.
Classroom Highlights:
- Rich Discussions: Students often draw connections between the book and current events, like debates on raising the minimum wage, inflation, or student loan debt.
- Critical Thinking Opportunities: Ehrenreich’s experiences spark thoughtful conversations about privilege, hard work, and systemic inequality.
- Challenging Perspectives: The book’s mix of praise and criticism invites students to analyze Ehrenreich’s approach and form their own opinions on her conclusions.
Teaching Tip:
Incorporate multimedia resources, such as news articles or documentaries, to compare Ehrenreich’s experiences with today’s economic climate. This not only keeps the book relevant but also broadens students’ understanding of contemporary financial challenges.
Nickel and Dimed is an excellent choice for fostering critical thinking and engaging students in meaningful conversations about social justice and economic realities.
3. Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy
If you’re searching for a heartfelt, introspective memoir to round out your nonfiction selections, Lucy Grealy’s Autobiography of a Face is a standout. Grealy chronicles her journey from a childhood cancer diagnosis through adulthood, detailing the physical and emotional scars left behind after losing part of her jaw to the disease.
Why It Resonates:
In a world saturated with social media and beauty standards, this memoir hits home for many students. Grealy’s candid exploration of self-image, bullying, and societal perceptions of beauty offers a powerful lens through which students can reflect on their own experiences. Her story balances moments of darkness with humor and strength, making it both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Classroom Highlights:
- Themes of Resilience: Grealy’s determination to find joy and meaning in life despite her struggles encourages students to reflect on their own definitions of strength.
- Connections to Self-Image: Discuss how Grealy’s journey parallels the pressures students face today, from body image to online bullying.
- Engaging Narration: Students appreciate Grealy’s candid and accessible writing style, which invites empathy and deep engagement.
Teaching Tip:
While the memoir includes dark moments, it also highlights the humor and humanity in Grealy’s journey. Encourage mature readers to think critically about how she balances these tones to convey the complexity of her experiences.
Autobiography of a Face is a thought-provoking addition to your classroom library that challenges students to consider themes of identity, perseverance, and the power of self-expression.
Be prepared to address some of the language and descriptions in the book, as they are a bit vivid and raw at times. My students tell me that it’s not much worse than what they hear in the hallways or cafeterias of our school, yet it’s worth mentioning this is something to acknowledge for some student groups. What my students find rewarding is looking at how language changes and improves throughout the course of their high school experiences in the book.
Not only is Freedom Writers Diary a novel, it was adapted into a Freedom Writers Diary film in 2007 featuring Hillary Swank, Imelda Staunton, and Patrick Dempsey. While the basic tenants of the plot are similar, the film version mostly focuses on the relationship between Gruwell and her students and her ability teach them through senior year.
If you are looking for a high-engagement book with themes are are universal to the high school experience, check out Freedom Writers Diary!
2. Nickel and Dimed
Another fascinating and high-interest nonfiction novel my students find interesting is Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Enrich. This book follows Enrich during the late 1990s as she explores what it is like to work minimum wage jobs and try to support a family.
She explores themes of the American Dream and the promise of a better life through hard work and persistence. Working common hourly-wage jobs like a cleaning lady, waitress, and Walmart employee, she illustrates for readers the harsh realities of making ends meet. By exploring real life financial hardships like medical expenses, lodging, and the cost of healthy food, she makes a case that living on minimum wage makes it nearly impossible to support a family.
Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed has sparked both praise and criticism, making it a rich text for fostering healthy classroom discussions. The book challenges students to question their own understanding of the American Dream and the promise of upward mobility through hard work. Is the idea that hard work always leads to success a reality, or does it overlook systemic barriers? These discussions help students develop a nuanced perspective on economic inequality and explore the intersection of individual effort and societal structures.
In my classroom, Nickel and Dimed often elicits passionate debates and thoughtful conversations. Students are eager to draw connections between Ehrenreich’s experiences and modern-day challenges, such as the burden of student loan debt, ongoing debates about raising the minimum wage, and the impact of inflation on everyday life. These parallels make the text incredibly relevant, allowing students to engage with current economic and social issues through the lens of Ehrenreich’s narrative. By examining these connections, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by low-wage workers and how these struggles persist today.
Moreover, the book provides countless opportunities for critical thinking, analysis, and empathy-building. Students analyze Ehrenreich’s methods and arguments, discussing the ethical implications of her experiment and whether her position as a journalist affects the authenticity of her findings. They also reflect on how societal perceptions of poverty influence public policy and personal biases. By grappling with these ideas, students not only sharpen their analytical skills but also develop a greater sense of social awareness and responsibility, making Nickel and Dimed a powerful tool for both intellectual and personal growth.
3. Autobiography of a Face
If you’re searching for a heartfelt memoir to complete your nonfiction literature collection, Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy is an exceptional choice. This deeply personal narrative, told in Grealy’s own voice, takes readers through her journey from a childhood cancer diagnosis to the challenges she faces as an adult. Along the way, Grealy shares her struggles with medical treatments, the aftermath of losing her jaw, and her efforts to navigate a world that often judges people based on appearance. Her honesty and vulnerability make this memoir both profound and relatable for students.
One of the reasons this book resonates so strongly with my students is Grealy’s candid exploration of self-image and its impact on her life. In a world dominated by social media, where beauty standards are constantly on display through likes and influencers, students connect deeply with Grealy’s reflections on her disfigurement and how it shaped her identity. Themes of bullying, self-worth, and societal expectations of beauty become powerful discussion points, helping students reflect on their own experiences and the pressures they face in their daily lives.
Beyond its themes of appearance and identity, Autobiography of a Face also offers an inspiring narrative of strength, resilience, and love. Grealy doesn’t shy away from sharing the darker moments of her journey, but she also balances her story with humor and moments of hope. Her ability to find joy and purpose, even in the face of immense challenges, encourages students to think critically about how people overcome adversity and find meaning in their struggles. This memoir is not just a story about illness but a powerful exploration of humanity, making it a standout text for fostering empathy and deep, meaningful conversations in the classroom.
There are parts of this novel that are dark and show Lucy’s extreme pain and struggle. However, Lucy also presents a somewhat humorous side and focuses on her journey of strength.
If you are looking for a thought-provoking novel that will really push mature readers to critically think about human relationships, the power of image, and how overcoming illness, Autobiography of a Face is a stellar read.
