I’ve never been a big nonfiction fan. I always wanted stories over just the facts. I was among the top readers for the library’s summer reading program, but I balked at requirements to read a book in each of the 100′s for the Dewey Decimal section. I can remember the librarian in the children’s room begging me to try some nonfiction. I finally compromised by agreeing to read some of them. The 200′s weren’t too bad because I could fill up on Greek and Roman and Norse mythology. I also didn’t mind reading from the biography section–Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton and Sacajawea and Stonewall Jackson were favorites.
I first discovered that nonfiction–real nonfiction from the other numbers–could be fascinating when I worked as a page in that same library during high school. I was no dummy. The nonfiction shelves were much easier to keep in order because there were many fewer people browsing and placing books on random shelves. Being the bookworm that I was, I couldn’t help peeking between the covers of the books I was supposed to be shelving, especially on slow nights. Was I surprised when I wanted to keep reading some of them enough to check out and take home. I could learn about anything–not just the boring stuff in my school textbooks.
Now that I am teaching, my bookshelves are still heavy on the stories, but my nonfiction collection is growing. With the CCSS emphasis on nonfiction, I’m looking for those books that will open my students to the possibilities that I found hiding among the nonfiction stacks long ago. Thankfully there are some incredible writers creating fascinating books on a multitude of topics.
I’m also discovering that there isn’t nearly as large a divide between facts and story as I once thought. Yes, informational text is structured differently. I particularly noticed the structure while listening to The Tipping Point. I wasn’t sure how well I would be able to follow an informational text while listening, but Gladwell offered clear transitions to keep from getting lost. I also noticed that in this informational text, story held it all together. I remember most the stories that illustrated the principles. Why was Paul Revere’s ride to warn of the British invasion more successful than Richard Dawes’s ride the same night? What made Sesame Street and Blue’s Clues so successful? How did New York City reduce crime so dramatically?
It was these and other stories that Gladwell wove throughout the book that helped me understand and remember the concepts. I’ve also noticed that story plays an impoortant role in most of the nonfiction that I’ve read and enjoyed, not just in the typical narrative nonfiiction. Whoever claims that narrative is unimportant in today’s reading and writing demands must not be reading much quality nonfiction.
I’m taking part in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by Ruth and Stacey over at Two Writing Teachers. I hope to write every day for the month of March and then continue weekly each Tuesday. Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slices. If you’re taking part in the SOL, leave a link to your post. I’d love to read it.
