ABSTRACT
Nonfiction literature does more than convey information. It can communicate both fact and feeling and be both useful and inspiring. This chapter begins with a general introduction to contemporary nonfiction. It focuses on literary nonfiction that displays significant artistry and information. It also describes many kinds of nonfiction available for young adults and recent changes in the genre. The chapter explores the place of nonfiction in young adults' personal reading and as support for the content area curriculum. It acknowledges the importance of nonfiction trade books, both for enriching young adults' understanding of academic subjects and for helping them negotiate the developmental tasks of adolescence. The chapter also focuses on literary or creative nonfiction–those works that allow young adults to develop an appreciation for the artistry of nonfiction that parallels their appreciation for fiction.
