Transcript Hiroshima No Pika

Non-fiction
Informational Books
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.
Kinds of non-fiction
• Concept books
– Alphabet
– Counting
– Shapes, colors, sizes, sounds, etc.
• Narratives
– Histories
– Biographies
• Other informational books
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Science
Nature
Art
Music
Etc.
How are fiction & non-fiction
different?
Partial Truth
• Facts can be
misleading when
they don’t show the
whole context, and
often, the whole
context is impossible
to show.
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.
Is it fictional?
• Non-fiction, like fiction presents slanted or
partial versions of the truth.
• But since they claim to be accurate, nonfiction 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.
Common ideological assumptions
implied within much non-fiction
• The world is a simple place: Downplays complications
so kids can understand. Most children’s 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 doesn’t 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.
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 seldom seen in thousands of books on the subject.
• 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 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.
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.
1987: Freedman’s
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
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
author’s point of view.
Fictionalized biography
• Dramatizes certainty events. Liven up dialogue. Invent dramatic scenes that could
have happened. Doesn’t 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 weren’t. )
Biographical fiction
• Builds story around character’s 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
• Lincoln’s youth. Lincoln’s political career.
Autobiographies
• Written by the subject. Never complete or objective
Evaluating Non-fiction
• Accuracy
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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 author’s attitude
– Doesn’t over generalize
• Illustrations
– Accurate
– Enhance and extend the text
– Artistically good.
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?