Hello teacher friend. If you’re like me, creating high engagement in my classroom is key! I try to select literature that my students can relate to and learn from at the same time. Here are some of my top nonfiction picks for any high school language arts classroom.
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.
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.
Enrich has been both praised and criticized for her work, which brings up healthy conversations with students about their own understanding of the American Dream and what it takes to live a modest and comfortable life.
This book elicits some fanatics conversations in my classroom and often I find modern day connections to keep this novel relevant, whether it be student loan debt, raising the minimum wage, or inflation, this novel remains current. There are so many opportunities for critical thinking, discussion, and analysis while reading this book.
3. Autobiography of a Face
If you are looking for a heart-felt memoir to round out your collection of nonfiction literature, check out Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy. Lucy’s story, told in first person, follows her journey from a rare diagnosis of terminal cancer through adulthood and her struggles in between.
What my students really gravitate to in this story is how candid Grealy is with her story and her struggles through not only cancer, but the aftermath of losing her jaw and the reality of her disfigured face. Self-image such a prominent part of our everyday world, from social media likes to celebrities and models. This is something students can really relate to as they explore themes of seldom image, bullying, strength, and love.
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.
