ReFoReMo Day 11: Miranda Paul Focuses on Narrative Nonfiction

3/11/2015

by Miranda Paul

These titles showed me how to focus on one aspect of a true event or person’s life. Each narrative upholds the integrity and tone of complex subject matter while effectively reaching a young audience (not easy to do!). This list exemplifies how choosing the appropriate form and length for the content and audience can make a book remarkable.

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

The Mangrove Tree by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter

Miranda Paul is a children’s writer who aims to inspire, entertain, and broaden horizons. She is the author of One Plastic Bag (Lerner/Millbrook) and Water is Water (Roaring Brook/Macmillan). She believes in working hard, having fun, and being kind.

92 Comments

Wendy Engelmann will

3/10/2015 08:10:51 pm

I have not read any of these books yet. I can't wait to get to the library. Thank you for your post.

Miranda link

3/11/2015 03:57:18 am

I love introducing new books to people. I think you're going to enjoy them, and find unexpected treasures. Have fun at the library!

Rebecca C

3/10/2015 10:33:56 pm

I'm working on some narrative NF at the moment so I'm sure these recommendations will come in handy. Thanks, Miranda!

Linda Schueler link

3/10/2015 11:01:23 pm

These look great! Thank you.

Kirsti Call link

3/11/2015 12:02:05 am

I can't wait to read these...I've only read Me...Jane! Homeschooling my kids makes these kinds of books even more pertinent to my life.
Thanks Miranda!

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/11/2015 12:03:07 am

Some of these are new to me. Thanks, Miranda! I like how you say these examples focus on one aspect of a person's life. Great idea, as a PB can only present so much in so few words.

Maria Laso

3/11/2015 12:09:15 am

Hurrah!

anita banks

3/11/2015 12:15:41 am

Thank you, I will add these to my list!

Jeanette Bradley

3/11/2015 12:25:11 am

I've only read The Librarian - can't wait to check out the others!

Nicole Popel link

3/11/2015 12:27:31 am

Me...Jane is one of my favorites. I'll add the others to my list. Thanks for focusing on stories that better the world, Miranda.

Sue Poduska

3/11/2015 12:30:52 am

Hi, Miranda! Love 14 Cows. Can't wait to read the others.

Yvonne Mes link

3/11/2015 12:32:59 am

Great picks for mentor texts, have read two so far, with Me ... Jane my favourite!

Janet Smart link

3/11/2015 12:46:58 am

Thanks. These books sound interesting, especially the last two.

Katie McEnaney link

3/11/2015 12:52:56 am

These are great! I keep waiting for a sequel to the Librarian of Basra, because it seems like her story must, sadly, have to continue.

Kathy Phillips

3/11/2015 12:57:35 am

Thank you Miranda and congrats on your success :)

Ariel Bernstein

3/11/2015 01:12:15 am

I can't wait to read these books!!

Debra Shumaker

3/11/2015 01:19:47 am

Thanks Miranda. As usual, I've read some of these, but not all. Can't wait to see which ones my library has. . . see you in April here in VA!

Deborah Allmand

3/11/2015 01:21:49 am

This is a genre I really like and want to learn more about. I have taken classes but not one has really concentrated on children's nonfiction. I have resolved this month long research of picture books is the key. Reading is so much a part of writing. Can't wait to start with these then onto more of Melissa Stewart's list and any others that follow during the month. Thanks for the suggestions and great post.

Miranda link

3/11/2015 04:04:22 am

Hi Deborah! I might suggest joining the WOW nonficpic group on Facebook, led by Kristen Fulton. There is a whole tribe of writers interested in children's narrative nonfiction. And, in fact, I'll be leading a workshop on writing nonfiction for kids at the Highlights Foundation in July that is focused on science writing. If you're interested, I hope you'll check it out. Best of luck with the research, reading, and writing!

Marlaina Gray Cockcroft link

3/11/2015 01:52:12 am

I love "Me ... Jane." Thought it was a lovely retelling.

Lisa Connors link

3/11/2015 01:59:15 am

I've not read any of these yet either; I look forward to reading them. Thank you.

Joyce Tucker link

3/11/2015 02:06:27 am

Great book list...heading out today to read :)

Manju Howard link

3/11/2015 02:11:00 am

Adding 3 more books to my list. I've read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Me...Jane. Great PBs!

Doreen Lepore link

3/11/2015 02:22:08 am

Thanks, these look great!

Amanda Smith

3/11/2015 02:31:01 am

Miranda, I recently read One Plastic Bag and loved it. You know a non-fiction book hit the mark if the time line makes you weepy. I am working my way through your further reading list as research for my own book with non-fiction roots. Thank you for some more excellent titles.

Kathy Mazurowski

3/11/2015 02:44:46 am

Thank you. I am on my way to the library now.

Mike Karg link

3/11/2015 02:59:55 am

Nice diversity of cultures! Thanks for the suggestions, Miranda.

LoriAnn Levy-Holm link

3/11/2015 03:01:17 am

Thank you for the book suggestions. So many books, so little time!

Sylvia Liu link

3/11/2015 03:28:32 am

Thanks, Miranda. I know two of these; will check out the third.

Sue Heavenrich

3/11/2015 03:32:08 am

Miranda, a great list of mentor texts for those of us trying our hand at narrative nonfiction. Most I've read - but thinking I want to take another look at them.

Caroline Twomey link

3/11/2015 03:40:35 am

I'm looking forward to reading these-it's not easy to relate the complexities of a life/incident into a short PB while STILL managing to hold the kids attention! Thanks Miranda-and congratulations ")

Lori Dubbin

3/11/2015 03:42:31 am

Thanks, Miranda, for these mentor texts that set the "tone of complex subject matter while effectively reaching a young audience." I am working on a narrative NF now and you are so right when you say, "not easy to do!" Looking forward to reading your recommendations and figuring out my path to this story.

Rene` Diane Aube

3/11/2015 03:57:32 am

I'm looking forward to studying these and learning how one can focus on one aspect of a subject in an effective manner. WOW! Thank you, Miranda :)

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/11/2015 04:01:52 am

Great list, Miranda! I already own 14 Cows (fantastic book!) and Me, Jane. I read them a couple of years ago so I'll have to pull them off my over-stuffed bookshelf and look at them again. This is great for me because my library card is nearly maxed out, lol.

Laura J / Laura Jenkins link

3/11/2015 04:13:05 am

Haven't read all these books. Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Alice Fulgione

3/11/2015 04:22:34 am

I will certainly add your suggestions to my list.

Cassie Bentley

3/11/2015 04:25:56 am

I've read Me..Jane and Librarian of Basra. Both I enjoyed. Now I'll read them as mentor texts. I have an idea that's bouncing in my head that might be a narrative nonfiction. These will help me focus my idea.

Gabrielle Snyder

3/11/2015 04:26:19 am

Thanks for this great list, Miranda! I love Me, Jane, but I haven't read any of the others. I'll check them out!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/11/2015 04:42:16 am

Thank you, Miranda! I look forward to reading :)

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/11/2015 04:59:05 am

Hmmm... I'm not familiar with 12 Cows? Love how inviting the title is though... (Makes me question who the heck it is about!) Biographies are my favorite!

Rachel Hamby link

3/11/2015 04:59:58 am

This type of story seems in demand these days. Thanks for these recommendations.

Heidi Yates

3/11/2015 05:04:51 am

Thank you for the great list Miranda! I love the book "Me...Jane", but the others are all new to me. I'm excited to get to the library. :)

Pat Miller

3/11/2015 05:28:30 am

Thanks, Miranda. Another well-focused book on a similar theme is your ONE PLASTIC BAG: ISATOU CEESAY AND THE RECYCLING WOMEN OF THE GAMBIA. I now own a copy!

JEN Garrett link

3/11/2015 05:34:44 am

What I love about 14 Cows for America, is that the theme is almost too deep for the reader. I had a 4th grader read this book, and asked her why 14 Cows were given to America. "Well, maybe they could milk the cows and use the milk. Or maybe they can use the cows for food and blankets." The deeply symbolic idea had eluded her. I think I got to witness a little maturity as this girl pondered and discussed the real reasons for the act of kindness. That's the mark of a beautiful book.

Laura Renauld

3/11/2015 05:42:23 am

Thank you for these recommendations. It is so hard to really boil down a LIFE into a picture book vignette, so having examples is key.

shirley johnson

3/11/2015 06:44:27 am

These look very interesting. Looking forward to reading them. Thanks for sharing this list of books.

Joanne Roberts link

3/11/2015 07:46:20 am

I read James Rumford's Silent Music this week. I thought it did an excellent job of highlighting one tiny moment in a life. Rumford also expertly weaves in serious themes. Thanks for the recommendations.

sally Suehler

3/11/2015 08:09:11 am

I have read 'The Boy who harnessed the wind.' Need to get the rest. Thanks Miranda! You are wonderful as always. :-)

maria gianferrari link

3/11/2015 08:20:14 am

I LOVED The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind--so wonderful and inspiring! I really liked 14 Cows too. And I have to say that Me, Jane is really one of my very favorite books--it's perfect, and always makes me cry! I read it once a year--it's time to buy my own copy :)

Another inspiring PB which does this so well is Laurie Thompson's Emmanuel's Dream--lovely and lyrical!

Looking forward to reading One Plastic Bag too!

Thanks, Miranda :)

Myrna Foster link

3/11/2015 08:35:57 am

Thanks for the recommendations! I haven't read any of these yet, but I will. They look great!

Keila Dawson link

3/11/2015 08:44:18 am

Great selection. Added Don Tate's book, The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, to my mentor list about a slave who taught himself to read and write and published his work. WOWZA

Robin Currie link

3/11/2015 09:35:11 am

What clearly focused and engaging books! As a librarian I wonder if they would be seen in NF - but they are tricky to put in Picture Books.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/11/2015 09:37:03 am

Just found out that the San Francisco Public Library only has the longer version of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, so I just requested they purchase the picture book version. They had all of the others. I've read "Me, Jane," and yes, it's amazing how much is conveyed with so few words. I've read The Librarian of Basra at our school, but it didn't stick with me, so I'm going to take another look. Thanks!

AJ Irving link

3/11/2015 10:00:50 am

Great list! Thank you, Miranda! Congratulations on your books!

Julie Burchstead

3/11/2015 11:00:43 am

Such a great list of books in a genre that is becoming one of my persona favorites. Oh to have had such books at my fingertips as a young reader! NF felt too boring for me as a young reader. Now I don't know where to stop. Thanks for the glimpse into how you create the magic you do.

Sandy Perlic

3/11/2015 11:21:04 am

Would love to study more narrative nonfiction. Thanks for the suggestions!

Deirdre Englehart

3/11/2015 11:27:21 am

Miranda, great book selections! I have read a few and will look for more!

Kaye Baillie

3/11/2015 12:49:26 pm

Thanks, Miranda for these recommendations. I have 'Me...Jane' which I love and the other book I love is 'On a beam of light' . Another fabulous post. Congrats on your books.

Miranda link

3/11/2015 04:52:32 pm

I absolutely love ON A BEAM OF LIGHT as well. That book is groundbreaking in a number of ways. Alas, I discovered it after I'd written One Plastic Bag, so it wasn't a mentor text for me then. But it sure is now!

Ann Magee

3/11/2015 01:37:07 pm

Love this list, The story for 14 Cows For America is only surpassed by the amazing illustrations. Thanks!

Kathleen Cornell Berman

3/11/2015 01:52:53 pm

Thanks Miranda. More great books to read. The only one I read so far is Me, Jane which I loved. I also believe Jane Goodall herself loved the book.

Angela Hawkins link

3/11/2015 02:06:45 pm

I love Me...Jane! This has been a mentor text for me for quite some time as I am writing my own narrative non fiction pb! Thanks for the great titles Miranda!

Jeanette Bradley

3/11/2015 02:08:56 pm

I can't wait to read the new-to-me bookson this list! I'm working on my first narrative NF story and thank you for the list of books that can help me figure out how to make my story work! Perfect timing. :)

Romelle Broas link

3/11/2015 02:18:12 pm

You are right about using the appropriate form and length. I like how Me... Jane! has such a low word count but is full of info.

Maria Marshall

3/11/2015 03:21:37 pm

Thank you Miranda for an excellent group of mentor texts.

Kristen Kirwan Browning

3/11/2015 03:44:45 pm

Thanks for the suggested books. I've been wanting to learn more about narrative NF.

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/11/2015 04:40:21 pm

Wow, those look like great books! Thanks for sharing.

karen nordseth roos

3/11/2015 04:51:03 pm

thank you for these great suggestions. love the food for thought.

Janie Reinart

3/11/2015 05:02:06 pm

Thank you. Just what I needed to focus!

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/11/2015 05:20:08 pm

Thank you, Miranda, for encouraging us to dig for these little know, but fascinating nuggets. I've only read one of the books you highlighted :( but I will try to get the others from the library...parents will enjoy reading such a book as much as the children...and that's important...because they will want to buy it. ;)

Val McCammon

3/12/2015 02:22:41 am

As someone just venturing into the NF realm, this is a great book list to add to the others I've been reading/studying. Thank you Miranda!

Mary Worley

3/12/2015 03:18:26 am

A great list of creative nonfiction titles. It's amazing how they make them accessible for younger readers. I actually used a lot of these with my middle schoolers to help them get a feel for a research topic and/or make sure they wanted to commit to a specific topic for a longer project. It's on my list to tackle creative nonfiction in 12 x 12 this year.

Jarmila Del Boccio link

3/12/2015 03:44:20 am

Thanks for these, Miranda! I remember reading the fascinating story, "The Librarian of Basra" a couple of years ago. Looking forward to reading the others.

Debbie LaCroix link

3/12/2015 04:20:59 am

Thanks for the new to read list!
I have been using your new book as a mentor text too.

Gina Silvester

3/12/2015 04:43:48 am

thank you for some great examples of how to get a strong focus with some non-fiction

Carrie Finison

3/12/2015 05:22:54 am

Thank you for this fantastic list, Miranda. I will seek these out!

Ashley Bankhead

3/12/2015 05:44:57 am

Thanks for sharing your list of books with us.

evie robillard link

3/12/2015 05:50:43 am

Informative and inspiring. Thanks, Miranda.

Juliana Lee link

3/12/2015 07:13:48 am

Miranda, love ONE PLASTIC BAG! You did a wonderful job of focusing on one important aspect of a person's life instead of a full biography. I truly believe this helps young readers focus on what's important in their own lives as well.

Helen Dening link

3/12/2015 01:37:17 pm

Thanks for the list,Miranda. I'm anxious to get them from the library.

Kathy Halsey

3/13/2015 05:31:11 am

Hi, Miranda. Get set of mentor text, have read about half, but not STUDIED them! There is a huge difference. TY for sharing. I have lots to do before July and Wow Retreat. Fun, fun, fun reading and yours, of course, is now on my shelf!

Teresa MI Schaefer link

3/14/2015 07:48:14 am

Hi Miranda - Great post helping to identify mentor texts for synthesizing all of the info about important people and events.

Doris Stone

3/14/2015 02:29:57 pm

Great books! Thank you, Miranda!

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/15/2015 04:42:44 am

I was curious about these titles and wondered what you meant by narrative non-fiction. I just read Me . . . Jane and loved it! Now I'm looking forward to reading more on the list! Thanks for the post.

Elaine Hillson

3/16/2015 01:13:27 am

A very interesting selection for me to read. Non-fiction is something I am particularly interested in so thank you so much for your recommendations.

Sandy Powell

3/16/2015 05:38:13 am

Thank you for the mentor texts. They look like some really good books.

Damon Dean link

3/17/2015 12:32:01 pm

I am struggling now w a biography that has so much, but wanting to narrow my focus. These will be good mentor texts.

Beth Gallagher

3/18/2015 01:11:58 am

Thanks for the great post! With my newfound love of nonfiction, I'm thrilled to have some new ones to look for. Great inspiration!

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 04:08:13 am

I'm intrigued by narrative non fiction. As soon as I complete my first children's picture book series, I am considering non fiction. Thank you for the fun post!

Lauri Meyers link

3/27/2015 02:17:37 pm

It is so hard to boil down complexity in a PB, but it is so beautiful when it works!

Amie Valore-Caplan

3/31/2015 09:03:28 am

Thank you for all of these wonderful suggestions! I am touched by the amazing things that individuals have accomplished and thankful that these authors and illustrators bring their stories to us. Thank you again for helping those stories find more people to inspire.

Susie Sawyer link

3/27/2016 11:37:36 pm

Great list, thank you!! BTW, I love WATER IS WATER! :)

ReFoReMo Day 11: Miranda Paul Focuses on Narrative Nonfiction

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