Kids Nonfiction for Reluctant Readers

Pique your child's interest in reading by introducing books about topics aligned with their curiosities and pursuits.

Updated June 9, 2026
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Amherst Public Library Amherst Public Library
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Kids Nonfiction for Reluctant Readers

Pique your child's interest in reading by introducing books about topics aligned with their curiosities and pursuits.

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The attack of the grizzlies, 1967
Tarshis, Lauren
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the historic grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park in this latest installment of the groundbreaking I Survived series. No grizzly has ever killed a human in Glacier before . . . until tonight. Eleven-year-old Melody...
I survived the shark attacks of 1916
Tarshis, Lauren.
Paper Book
Based on true events! It's the summer of 1916 and the Jersey shore is being terrorized by a Great White shark. Can 10-year-old Chet and his friends survive a swim in the local creek? Chet Roscow is finally feeling at home in Elm Hills, New Jersey. He has a job with his uncle Jerry...
National Geographic kids almanac 2026
Paper Book
Packed with incredible photos, tons of fun facts, activities, exclusive National Geographic Explorer interviews, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, and more! Kids who want to know everything about everything need the National Geographic Kids Almanac!...
Shark lady : the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist
Keating, Jess
Paper Book
One of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls! This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!
Butt or face? : ador-a-butts!
Lavelle, Kari
Paper Book
Are you ready for round four of the hilarious guessing game picture book? Discover fascinating facts about adorable animals while guessing if you're looking at a butt or a face! Butt or Face? Volume 4- Adora-Butts continues the entertaining challenge with a new set of...
Donner dinner party : a pioneer tale
Hale, Nathan
Paper Book
In author-illustrator Nathan Hale's Donner Dinner Party, discover the shocking and true story of the ill-fated expedition in this Hazardous Tale from the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series. "These books are, quite simply, brilliant. . . ....
The book of heroines : tales of history's gutsiest gals
Drimmer, Stephanie Warren
Paper Book
Everybody needs a role model! Discover true stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, gusty gals, and everyday women who changed the world. From Sacagawea to Mother Teresa, Annie Oakley to...
Where on Earth?: Geography as You've Never Seen It Before
DK
Paper Book
Pack your bags and let's go on an action-packed tour around the world with this geography book for kids! On the adventure, you'll travel back in time to see how the continents have evolved, marvel at incredible geographical features, see the world's cities and landmarks, and...
A hundred billion trillion stars
Fishman, Seth
Paper Book
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book * Winner of the Mathical Book Prize Perfect for curious children, classrooms eager for STEM content, and readers who have devoured Ada Twist, Scientist and How Much Is a Million?, this nonfiction picture book is an excellent...
What was the Titanic?
Sabol, Stephanie
Paper Book
For more than one hundred years, people have been captivated by the disastrous sinking of the Titanic that claimed over 1,500 lives. Now young readers can find out why the great ship went down and how it was discovered seventy-five years later. At 2-20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, the...
Are there rainbows in space? : a colorful compendium of seriously cool science
Kanani, Sheila
Paper Book
What color is a polar bear under its fur? How do flamingos turn pink? What is a blue moon? Find the answers to all these fun questions and much more in this fact-filled adventure into the colorful world around us! The science of colors is hard at work all the time--from...
Packing for Mars for kids
Roach, Mary
Paper Book
What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Is it true that they don't shower? Can farts really be deadly in space? Best-selling Mary Roach has the answers. In this...
First big book of how
Symes, Sally
Paper Book
A compendious and stunningly illustrated fact-filled book for children who have endless questions about how the world works. How do scientists see into space? How do polar bears keep warm? How do keys open locks? How do fireworks explode? Featuring more than 150 compelling questions...
Weird but true! USA : 300 fascinating facts about the fifty states
Paper Book
It's weird. It's true. And now, it's red, white, and blue! Explore the wonderfully wacky side of the United States of America Weird But True! style. Calling all patriots! Get ready to explore wacky wonders, facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia about America's 50 states and...
The astronaut's guide to leaving the planet
Virts, Terry
Paper Book
In this exciting book, a former NASA astronaut inspires the next generation of space travelers with answers to all kids' questions on how people become astronauts, how they prepare for space travel, and what it's like to live and work in space. A kid's guide to...
The curse of the mummy : uncovering Tutankhamun's tomb
Fleming, Candace
Paper Book
Award-winning and critically acclaimed author Candace Fleming presents the edge-of-your-seat true story of the search for Tutankhamun's tomb, the Western public's belief that the dig was cursed, and the battle for ownership of the treasures within. Scholastic Focus is the premier...
Counting on Katherine : how Katherine Johnson saved Apollo 13
Becker, Helaine
Paper Book
The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures. You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius...
Weird but true! dinosaurs : 300 dino-mite facts to sink your teeth into
Paper Book
Weird But True! is going prehistoric! This new addition to the wildly popular, mind-blowing, fact-packed series is taking on the jaws and claws that ruled the Mesozoic world. Calling all dino dynamos! Get ready to devour wacky wonders, facts, stats, and trivia about all things...
What fish are saying : strange sounds in the ocean
Pendreigh, Kirsten
Paper Book
Perfect for curious kids ages 4-8, parents, and educators seeking fun and educational reads! Did you know that fish grunt, shellfish crackle, and some sea creatures even burp and boop to communicate? Dive into a fascinating underwater adventure as one little...
Sharks : 300 fin-nomenal facts to dive into
Paper Book
Whale sharks have tiny teeth covering their eyeballs! It's Weird But True! And this fin-tastic, photo- and fact-packed book in the best-selling series is the most jaw-some yet! Sink your chompers into these wild facts: Great white sharks can detect a single drop of...
Stories for kids who dare to be different : true tales of amazing people who stood up and stood out
Brooks, Ben
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling creators behind Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different, this book breaks the stereotype that boys will be boys and girls will be girls by celebrating extraordinary people who break the rules and make positive change.<...
Stomp, soar, dino roar
Amato, Max
Paper Book
A romping, rhyming, onomatopoeic tale of Terri the Triceratops and the world of dinosaurs! Terri the Triceratops's world is full of strange sounds, from crawling critters and shaking trees to scorching volcanoes and frozen seas. As she embarks on a journey through the Late...
How tall was a T. Rex?
Limentani, Alison
Paper Book
Explore everyone's favorite dinosaur in this graphically striking and innovative picture book from an extraordinary new talent.   Everyone's fascinated by T.rex and wants to know what this big, fearsome creature was really like. ...
Why do elephants have big ears? : questions--and surprising answers--about animals
Jenkins, Steve
Paper Book
Fascinating "Why" questions about animals, and plenty of new ones, take center stage in the latest book by Caldecott Honor-winning duo Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Do you know why a camel has a hump?  A Zebra has stripes?
Solar system : by the numbers
Jenkins, Steve
Ebook
By the Numbers infographic readers, accessible nonfiction packed with full-color cut-paper illustrations from Caldecott honor-winning Steve Jenkins. Solar Systems focuses on ever-astonishing outer space. Through infographics and illustrations...
Toes, teeth, and tentacles : a curious counting book
Jenkins, Steve
Paper Book
This latest book by the Caldecott Honor-winning team of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page highlights the numerous strange and fascinating features and appendages from teeth to toes to tongues of all kinds of animals. Did you know... a praying mantis only has...
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