Here are some tips and strategies for getting the most out of nonfiction books:
• Check out the table of contents and examine section headings. Have your student make predictions about the content based on the headings and table of contents.
• In most cases, try reading nonfiction books more slowly than fiction.
• Many nonfiction books include helpful sections at the back of the book. Check the back of the text for a glossary, activities and questions, additional resources, index, and other possible sections.
• Re-read text if necessary.
• In nonfiction, the illustrations, charts, maps, and other graphics are important, and may contain info that is not included in the main body of text.
• Make connections, wonder about the text, and check for understanding. Ask your student, what do they already know about this topic? How does this topic affect daily life? What questions about this topic do you think will get answered as you read? What details stand out to you in the text? In the images and graphics? What facts did you learn?
This Reading Challenge has been adapted for use at GLADL, from a program created by Clinton-Macomb Public Library, and is used with their permission.