The Vietnam Wars: 1945-1990
Book — Non-fiction. By Marilyn B. Young. 1991. 448 pages.
A detailed history of the Vietnam War.
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A detailed history of the Vietnam War.
Resource Type: Books: Non-Fiction
Below is a collection of our recommended non-fiction books for readers at middle school level and above.
You can find non-fiction illustrated books for children in our Picture Books collection.
Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports
Book — Non-fiction. By Dave Zirin. Foreword by Chuck D. 2007. 258 pages.
Essays on sports and politics.
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Essays on sports and politics.
At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance — A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power
Book — Non-fiction. By Danielle L. McGuire. 2010. 352 pages.
History of the violence against African-American women during the 20th century and the role played by Rosa Parks in the organized legal response to that abuse.
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History of the violence against African-American women during the 20th century and the role played by Rosa Parks in the organized legal response to that abuse.
The Black History of the White House
Book — Non-fiction. By Clarence Lusane. 2010. 544 pages.
The untold story of African Americans in the White House from the 18th century to the present, including the presidents who held people in bondage.
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The untold story of African Americans in the White House from the 18th century to the present, including the presidents who held people in bondage.
Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book
Book — Non-fiction. By Umlando Wezithombe. 2009. 193 pages.
A graphic novel about the life and times of Nelson Mandela produced for school children in South Africa and now available for readers in the U.S.
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A graphic novel about the life and times of Nelson Mandela produced for school children in South Africa and now available for readers in the U.S.
Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor
Book — Non-fiction. By Russell Freedman. 1998. 112 pages.
Child labor through images and essays, for middle school and above.
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Child labor through images and essays, for middle school and above.
The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself
Book — Non-fiction. By Stephen Martin Kohn. 2017. 568 pages.
A consumer guide to whistleblowing with step-by-step instructions, history, and 21 rules for whistleblowers.
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A consumer guide to whistleblowing with step-by-step instructions, history, and 21 rules for whistleblowers.
Students on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights, Brown, and Me
Book — Non-fiction. By John A. Stokes with Lois Wolfe. 2007. 128 pages.
First person description of the student led movement to desegregate schools in Prince Edward County.
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First person description of the student led movement to desegregate schools in Prince Edward County.
Malcolm X Talks to Young People: Speeches in the United States, Britain, and Africa
Book — Non-fiction. By Malcolm X. 2002. 164 pages.
Speeches by Malcolm X, selected for young audiences.
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Speeches by Malcolm X, selected for young audiences.
Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book
Book — Non-fiction. By Julian Bond and illustrated by T. G. Lewis. 1967. 19 pages.
This "graphic novel" from the 1960s was written to provide a critical analysis of the Vietnam War in an easy to read format.
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This "graphic novel" from the 1960s was written to provide a critical analysis of the Vietnam War in an easy to read format.
Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century
Book — Non-fiction. By Randy Shaw. 2010. 347 pages.
The impact of the United Farm Workers (UFW) on organizing and labor today.
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The impact of the United Farm Workers (UFW) on organizing and labor today.
Firebrands: Portraits from the Americas
Book — Non-fiction. By Shaun Slifer and Bec Young. 2010. 192 pages.
Images and short bios of 78 activists from throughout U.S. history and the Americas. For middle school to adult.
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Images and short bios of 78 activists from throughout U.S. history and the Americas. For middle school to adult.
Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson
Book — Non-fiction. By Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 1998. 228 pages.
Biography of Civil Rights Movement activist Ruby Doris Smith Robinson.
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Biography of Civil Rights Movement activist Ruby Doris Smith Robinson.
Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson
Book — Non-fiction. By Blair L. M. Kelley. 2010. 280 pages.
Examines acts of protest and resistance to segregated trains and streetcars during the early Jim Crow era.
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Examines acts of protest and resistance to segregated trains and streetcars during the early Jim Crow era.
Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and A New Path Toward Social Justice
Book — Non-fiction. By Bill Fletcher Jr. and Fernando Gapasin 2009. 304 pages.
A critical examination of labor's current crisis and a plan for social justice in the 21st century.
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A critical examination of labor's current crisis and a plan for social justice in the 21st century.
Coal Mountain Elementary
Book — Non-fiction. By Mark Nowak. 2009. 190 pages.
An expose of the coal industry using a combination of poetry, images, first person testimonies, and newspaper accounts.
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An expose of the coal industry using a combination of poetry, images, first person testimonies, and newspaper accounts.
Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People Who Are Helping to Protect Our Planet
Book — Non-fiction. By Harriet Rohmer. 2009. 109 pages.
Presents the true stories of 12 people across North America who are challenging environmental devastation. Written for middle school readers.
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Presents the true stories of 12 people across North America who are challenging environmental devastation. Written for middle school readers.
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America (Book)
Book — Non-fiction. By Juan Gonzalez. 2022. 560 pages.
An updated and thorough account of the role the United States in the mass migration of Latinos to the U.S.
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An updated and thorough account of the role the United States in the mass migration of Latinos to the U.S.
Teaching Global History: A Social Studies Approach
Book — Non-fiction. By Alan J. Singer. 2011. 206 pages.
A guide that proposes another way to teach history from a global perspective.
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A guide that proposes another way to teach history from a global perspective.
Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues
Book — Non-fiction. By Bill Moyers and edited by Michael Winship. 2011. 608 pages.
Fifty interviews with political figures, writers, activists, poets, and scholars.
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Fifty interviews with political figures, writers, activists, poets, and scholars.
Howard Zinn on War
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. Introduction by Marilyn B. Young. 2011. 272 pages.
Essays spanning 1962 to 2006 that examine specific wars, wartime incidents, and the force of non-violence to move beyond war, if we are to survive.
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Essays spanning 1962 to 2006 that examine specific wars, wartime incidents, and the force of non-violence to move beyond war, if we are to survive.
Howard Zinn on History
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. Introduction by Staughton Lynd. 2011. 192 pages.
A collection of 27 writings on activism, electoral politics, the Holocaust, Marxism, the Iraq War, and the role of the historian.
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A collection of 27 writings on activism, electoral politics, the Holocaust, Marxism, the Iraq War, and the role of the historian.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration
Book — Non-fiction. By Isabel Wilkerson. 2010. 640 pages.
The story of the great migration told through in-depth descriptions of three families.
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The story of the great migration told through in-depth descriptions of three families.
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
Book — Non-fiction. By Barbara Ehrenreich. 2008. 256 pages.
Undercover journalism exposing hard realities of life for the working poor.
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Undercover journalism exposing hard realities of life for the working poor.
News for All the People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media
Book — Non-fiction. By Juan González and Joseph Torres. 2011. 256 pages.
The history of media in the United States, through the lens of race.
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The history of media in the United States, through the lens of race.