Non-fiction

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Non-fiction

• Informational Books

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What is non-fiction?

• How is non-fiction different from realistic
  fiction?
• All literary texts offer children
  representations of the world and of their own
  place as children within that world. If the
  representation is persuasive, it will become the
  world that those children readers believe they
  live in. (Perry Nodelman)
• Non-fiction is about the way things are.
• Often, adults view non-fiction as merely
  functional, their purpose being to inform rather
  than entertain or inspire.

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Kinds of non-fiction

• Concept books
• Alphabet
• Counting
• Shapes, colors, sizes, sounds, etc.
• Narratives
• Histories
• Biographies
• Other informational books
• Science
• Nature
• Art
• Music
• Etc.

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Is it fictional?

• Unlike fiction, non-fiction claims to be
  completely factual.
• Authors attempt to communicate info accurately.
• But
• Authors need to decide which facts to mention and
  which to leave out.
• Authors must interpret those facts to make sense
  for young readers.
• Different writers interpret facts differently.

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Is it fictional?

• Non-fiction, like fiction presents slanted or
  partial versions of the truth.
• But since they claim to be accurate, non-fiction
  books have an especially strong potential to seem
  true to readers who accept the texts view of
  things and insert themselves into the narratives
  the text offers.

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Common ideological assumptions implied within
much non-fiction

• The world is a simple place Downplays
  complications so kids can understand. Most
  childrens non-fiction is very easy to understand
  and comfortingly (or boringly) like what many
  children are apt to know already.
• The world is a happy place Board books for young
  children- bright colors, flawless apples, fresh
  paint. Parents never argue.
• The world is a homogenous place unconventional
  behavior doesnt exist. Adults agree completely
  on everything without comment. No other reality
  exists.
• The world and its people are wonderfully diverse
  Overemphasis on differences. For example
  comparing people and traditional costumes.

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Common ideological assumptions implied within
much non-fiction

• The world is a rational place Most books present
  their ideas from only one perspective. Dinosaurs
  and evolution. A huge debate, but hardly even
  seen in thousands of books about dinosaurs.
• The world is full of clear and obvious messages
  about values Almost always have messages about
  character. for example, turning a biography into
  a fable about a specific value. Helen Keller
  determination.
• The world is a hopeful place Example Hiroshima
  no Pika. Ends on a hopeful note. There are many
  other interpretations and constructions of the
  future that the dropping of atomic bombs on
  cities can bring out. Children are steered toward
  optimistic interpretations, not free to choose
  themselves from a range of options.
• The world is getting better all the time Not
  cyclical, but linear. People understand more and
  are closer to making peace, technology helps,
  etc.

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Biographies as an example

• Early biographies for children like good boy bad
  boy books. Didactic and intended to set an
  example by showing exemplary lives. Lives of
  saints or heroes. One sided Either about
  untouchable heroes, or dastardly villains.
• No bibliography, no index
• Non-controversial, straightforward facts.
• Lack of obvious research suggests that there is
  only one story. And the book cannot be
  questioned.

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1987 Freedmans Lincoln A Photobiography

• Begins to change the perception and practice of
  biographies for children.
• -lively writing style
• -accuracy
• -attention to detail
• -boldly confronts controversial issues.
• -Period photos for a more authentic view of the
  era
• -lists resources and provides an index
• These features have become standard for
  informational books.
• -suggests respect for young readers
• -higher quality of books
• -more accurate (and more aware of biases)
• -more interesting to read

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Three types of biography(shows how fiction and
non-fiction mix)

• Authentic biography
• Uses only facts that can be supported by
  evidence. Dialogue is less common and must be
  supported by documents or verifiable personal
  recollection. Can never be totally authentic
  since ignoring some facts and highlighting others
  imposes the authors point of view.
• Fictionalized biography
• Dramatizes certainty events. Liven up dialogue.
  Invent dramatic scenes that could have happened.
  Doesnt tamper with basic facts of history. Not
  as reliable as authentic biography, but may be
  more lively reading and it can stimulate
  curiosity to pursue the facts. (Movies about
  historical figures are often like this. You may
  find yourself checking to find out what points
  were really true and which werent. )
• Biographical fiction
• Builds story around characters life, altering
  facts to fit narrative needs. The story is more
  important than the truth. They are fun, can also
  stimulate curiosity, but they are not history.
  Can be fairly accurate. The distinction between
  these three types is not always clear.
• Also
• Partial biographies
• Lincolns youth. Lincolns political career.
• Autobiographies
• Written by the subject. Never complete or
  objective

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Evaluating Non-fiction

• Accuracy
• The facts presented are accurate and shown in
  context
• Important facts are not omitted
• Opinions and theories are clearly shown as
  different from facts
• Sources of information are documented
• Organization
• The material is presented logically and is easy
  to understand and follow.
• Good table of contents and index help readers
  find specific information easily.
• Writing Style
• Interesting and understandable
• Tone of writing shows the authors attitude
• Doesnt over generalize
• Illustrations
• Accurate
• Enhance and extend the text
• Artistically good.

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Hiroshima and the first atom bomb

• An Authentic history
• A fictionalized history
• Pay attention to facts, writing style and how
  information is presented
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

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