Young Adult Literature: Nonfiction

Titles Discussed

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Steve Jobs: The Man who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal

Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin

Genre Overview

In their 1992 article, “Young adult Nonfiction: Meeting the Needs and Curiosities of Today's Youth,” education and writing professor John H. Bushman and high school English teacher Kay Parks Bushman stated that young adult nonfiction is “one of the fastest growing areas within young adult literature” (74). The authors also suggest a list of titles that will help young adults to “explore issues relevant to their own lives and to satisfy their curiosity” (74). This list includes books on dealing with anxiety, depression, and AIDS, as well as books on psychology and biology. While there is a range of subjects, none of the books seem geared toward entertaining the reader. Rather, they are books with serious subjects that are written for young adults. For example, Don't Be S.A.D.: A Teenage Guide to Handling Stress, Anxiety, and Depression (1992) by Susan Newman discusses several age-appropriate, real-life scenarios and offers several suggestions for dealing appropriately with each “problem.” Another book, Teenage Fathers (1992) by Karen Gravelle and Leslie Peterson, was written to provide help and information for young fathers since there was already a large market of information and resources for teenage mothers.

As a genre, young adult nonfiction has changed considerably since 1992. Books within the genre have become more interesting and are written to not only inform and educate but to entertain as well. The increasing popularity of crossover novels (young adult books being read by adults) have ensured that young adult literature continues to grow in popularity and demand. Young adult nonfiction particularly has seen an increase in crossover interest among adult readers.

While the early examples of young adult nonfiction were geared toward informing readers and providing opportunities for self-help, young adult nonfiction titles of the twenty-first century offer a promise of excitement, thrill, and interest. For instance, Steve Sheinkin's Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon accurately relates the early history of the first atomic bomb, but it reads like a fictional espionage novel complete with suspense, deceit, and international intrigue. Another young adult nonfiction novel written by Sheinkin, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery, is, on the surface, a biography of Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold. However, Sheinkin writes in a way unlike any textbook and uses a writing style that infuses excitement into the instruction. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman teaches readers about the life and theories of nineteenth-century evolutionist Charles Darwin while artfully and respectfully exploring the debate between creationism and evolutionism through the story of Darwin's courtship, marriage, and the resulting inner debate he struggled with in his love for Emma, who was deeply religious. Journalist and children's nonfiction writer Karen Blumenthal not only presents an entertaining and instructive biography of Apple cofounder and CEO Steve Jobs, but she also weaves in the history of computers and computing.

Works

Deborah Heiligman creates an interesting and enjoyable reading experience in her portrayal of Charles Darwin's marriage and family life in Charles and Emma. This in turn makes the biography less dry and more relatable for a younger audience. Heiligman's scientific explanations are easy to understand, especially for those with limited scientific background.

Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, which was published in 1859, introduced evolutionary theory to the Victorians. The work sparked a long and ongoing debate about evolution versus creationism, and many school systems are still unsure as to how to handle teaching the subject and whether either or both theories should be presented in the classroom. Heiligman's approach, however, allows for the ability to listen to and respect each side. “The debate between evolution and religion continues, too. [Darwin] and Emma would certainly say that people from both worlds should keep talking to each other.”

Heiligman's portrayal of Darwin and Emma and the manner in which she relates their story presents both the religious and scientific sides of the debate without judgment or room for heated debate. As Darwin began to realize that his theories disproved the teachings of the Bible, he grew concerned about whether he could find a wife. Rather than hide his religious doubts as his father suggested, Darwin told his first cousin Emma the truth. They agreed to disagree as long as they respected each other and took a “leap of faith.” The two married and had ten children.

While their marriage was not always happy, especially with the death of three of their children, the couple worked together despite their divergent beliefs. Darwin let Emma take the children to church every Sunday while he walked around town. Emma read all of his work and urged him to be the best writer he could be.

Emma feared that she and Darwin would be separated in death, believing that she would go to heaven and that Darwin would not. Their marriage was unique to the time as it was not only between a man and a woman but also between science and religion. In the foreword, Jonathan Weiner states that readers will “understand in the most vivid, intimate, and personal way how shocking Darwin's ideas were for the people of his time, including some of the people who were closest to him.”

Heiligman's life parallels Charles and Emma's in the sense that she majored in religious studies in college and her husband is a science writer, but explains that her husband inspired her to “fall in love with science,” which allowed her explore her own beliefs and identity in the creative treatment of the Darwins' marriage. Her personalization allows history, science, and religion to come together in a narrative of romance and relationship.

In Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon Steve Sheinkin relates the history of the first atomic bomb and the repercussions its creation caused for the scientists who developed it and for the world. As with Charles and Emma, the science behind the story is explained clearly and is pedagogically suitable for young adult readers. However, the book grounds its storytelling in the lives of the scientists who researched and created atomic weaponry and the aftermath of their discoveries.

Sheinkin was at one time a textbook author, but he enjoys relating history in a more personal, creative, and less formal way. He calls himself a story detective, and he has written several other historical nonfiction works for young adults. He enhances the story of Bomb with authentic black-and-white photos and source documents that help personalize history and bring it to life. The book reads like a fast-paced spy novel and is full of subterfuge, betrayal, and high stakes international politics.

Although the science behind the creation of the atomic bomb is touched upon in Bomb and explained, it is Sheinkin's descriptions and his stories of the scientists behind the project as well as their reactions to their discovery that are what will resonate with young adults. As Sheinkin explains, “It was the chill of knowing [the scientists] had used something they loved—the study of physics—to build the deadliest weapon in human history.” Sheinkin relates the words of the project's technical director J. Robert Oppenheimer: “We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent,” and also how the bomb's creation reminded Oppenheimer of a line from ancient Hindu scripture: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of the world.” Sheinkin notes US president Harry S. Truman's indecision to use the bomb on the Japanese. The full weight of the device and its position in history is contextualized by the hard choices of these people. None of these decisions were made lightly; the decision to build and use the atom bomb changed the lives of everyone involved, tormenting most of the scientists. Readers learn the personal side of history along with the facts.

Sheinkin also wrote The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery which won the 2012 Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. As with Bomb, Benedict is well researched, thrilling to read, and presented in a story-like fashion. The book, which is a biography of General Benedict Arnold's life, contextualizes history with Arnold's personal relationships as well as with such well-known Revolutionary figures as George Washington.

Arnold was a talented spy and played a large role in bringing about the American Revolution. As with Bomb, the historical account of the events borrows the style of spy genre. Benedict succeeds by engaging readers while educating them about the American Revolution and many of its key players without presenting information and facts in a dry, scholarly manner. The story flows by characterizing historical figures and by showing readers that, in history as well as in present-day life, there are not always clear heroes and villains. Sheinkin extols Arnold's courage in serving the colonies and sympathizes with his reasons for betraying them.

Karen Blumenthal's Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different is both an autobiography of Apple cofounder and CEO Steve Jobs and a history of the birth of computers. Blumenthal writes the book within the context of the commencement address Jobs gave at California's Stanford University in 2003. This personalizes the book's subject and allows readers to feel engaged in it, almost as if the reader is having a conversation directly with Jobs.

There were aspects of Jobs's life that may not be appropriate for a young adult audience, and in an interview with Amanda Margis for YALSA, Blumenthal explained that her biggest challenge was to write about a “very adult life” for young adults. Rather than avoid potentially difficult subject matter, Blumenthal writes an honest biography of Steve Jobs and does so without criticism or judgment. She does not speak down to her readers and includes computer jargon throughout the book but also adds a detailed glossary for readers' reference.

Conclusions

Journalist and children's book author Alexandra Alter discusses current trends in young adult nonfiction and expects more adult nonfiction to have young adult editions in the future. Alter believes that young adult nonfiction has become popular because it is written in a way that is more capable of grabbing and holding the attention of younger adults. She believes current young adult nonfiction is becoming more popular with adults because the genre is less lengthy and easier to read than nonfiction that is written and marketed for adults.

The difficulty with young adult nonfiction is that many issues need to be toned down and content has to be, as Alter terms it, “sanitized” in order to make it more appropriate for the young adult audience. While Alter's article discusses sanitizing and simplifying young adult content, she does not condone censoring it. Rather, potentially terrifying and disturbing material, such as torture, should be touched on rather than explored in-depth. Alter concedes that it “can be hard to maintain the drama and nuance of historical narratives while targeting the under-13 crowd.”

Another controversy Alter discusses is whether there needs to be a young adult nonfiction genre at all. Many young adults are capable of reading adult nonfiction and would benefit from the more forthcoming versions. Alter shares that Chris Shoemaker, YALSA president, chooses the adult version if he feels the young adult version is oversimplified or if controversial topics have been removed (Alter). Yet young adult nonfiction is extremely popular. While most of the publishing industry has experienced a slump in sales, sales of children's and young adult books have been increasing.

Alter points out the varying subgenres among young adult nonfiction such as memoirs and self-help books, which is a departure from the traditional standbys of animal- and science-themed books. Many young adults no longer have to feel intimidated by grabbing a “hard to read” adult book and now have a range of more accessible options.

Young adult nonfiction books give young adult and adult readers more options to learn as well as to be entertained. Younger readers who feel capable of reading adult versions can and will do so, and adults who want a lighter read have that option too.

Bibliography

Kaplan, Jeffrey S. “The Changing Face of Young Adult Literature.” Teaching Young Adult Literature Today: Insights, Considerations, and Perspectives for the Classroom Teacher (2012): 19. Print.

Reiman, Laura, and Ellen Greenblatt. “Censorship of Children's and Young Adult Books in Schools and Public Libraries.” Serving LGBTIQ Library and Archives Users: Essays on Outreach Service, Collections, and Access (2011): 247–65. Print.

Tveit, Ase Kristine. “Reading Habits and Library Use among Young Adults.” New Rev. of Children's Literature and Librarianship 18.2 (2012): 85–104. Print.

Bibliography

Alter, Alexandra. “To Lure Young Readers, Nonfiction Writers Sanitize and Simplify.” New York Times. New York Times, 7 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/business/media/laura-hillenbrand-jon-meacham-adapt-titles-for-children.html>.

Barcott, Bruce. “The Darwins' Prenup.” Rev. of Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, by Deborah Heiligman. New York Times. New York Times, 6 May 2009. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/books/review/Barcott-t.html?‗r=0>.

Blumenthal, Karen. “An Interview with Nonfiction Finalist Karen Blumenthal.” By Amanda Margis. YALSA. American Library Assoc., 25 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2013/01/25/an-interview-with-nonfiction-finalist-karen-blumenthal/>.

Rev. of Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin. Kirkus. Kirkus Media, 18 July 2012. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/steve-sheinkin/bomb/>.

Bushman, John H., and Kay Parks Bushman. “Young adult Nonfiction: Meeting the Needs and Curiosities of Today's Youth.” English Journal 81.1 (1992): 74. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 May 2015. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ454172&site=eds-live>.

Flowers, Mark. “YALSA Nonfiction, Part Two: The Notorious Benedict Arnold.” YALSA. Amer. Lib. Assoc., 16 Dec. 2011. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2011/12/16/yalsa-nonfiction-part-two-the-notorious-benedict-arnold/>.

Rev. of Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different, by Karen Blumenthal. Kirkus Reviews 15 Feb. 2012: 386–87. Literary Reference Center. Web. 6 May 2015. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=71952989&site=lrc-live>.