Best Children's Books of 2012: Nonfiction

by Martin W. Sandler

Outstanding nonfiction writing that makes history come alive. Full review >

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by Elizabeth Rusch

How extraordinary to visit Mars in Spirit; readers will be very glad of the Opportunity. Full review >

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by Jabari Asim & illustrated by Bryan Collier

An outstanding achievement and a life worthy of note. Full review >

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by Robert Byrd & illustrated by Robert Byrd

A work of breadth and energy, just like its subject; engaging and brimming with appeal for a wide audience. Full review >

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by Russell Freedman

A marvel of history writing that makes complicated history clear and interesting. Full review >

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by Gary Golio & illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Lyrically narrated, resplendently illustrated, and deeply respectful of both subject and audience. Full review >

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by Gail Jarrow

Dozens of spectacular Kellar posters along with a dramatic book design nicely support this well-constructed look at a... Full review >

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by Cynthia Y. Levinson

Levinson builds her dramatic account around the experiences of four young arrestees—including a 9-year-old, two teenage... Full review >

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by David Macaulay with Sheila Keenan & illustrated by David Macaulay

And will a young scholar read it again and look for more? You bet—it’s great fuel for the imagination. Full review >

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by Andrés Vera Martínez ; Na Liu ; illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez

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by Joe McKendry & illustrated by Joe McKendry

Just like Times Square itself, the pages are filled to the brim. Full review >

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by Amy Novesky & illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Accessible, unfussy and visually charming. Full review >

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by Ellen Bryan Obed & illustrated by Barbara McClintock

Irresistible. Full review >

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by Andrea Davis Pinkney & illustrated by Brian Pinkney

A feast for readers whose eyes are (or should be) on the prize, in a volume as well-turned-out as the dapper W.E.B. Dubois,... Full review >

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by Leda Schubert & illustrated by Gérard DuBois

An exceptional life; a stunning achievement. Full review >

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by Linda Tarrant-Reid

From attractive page design to an afterword that encourages readers to search for their own history, there has been much... Full review >

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by Molly Bang ; Penny Chisholm & illustrated by Molly Bang

Readers will want to visit more than once to capture both the science and the abundant sense of celebration here. Full review >

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by Jason Chin & illustrated by Jason Chin

Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin. Full review >

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by Chuck Close

Art lovers of all ages will revel in this vivid, wonderfully affecting book, which is almost as ingenious and memorable as... Full review >

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by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano illustrated by Michael Carroll

Hole-y astronomy! (timeline, glossary, author’s note, bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Full review >

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by Christy Hale & illustrated by Christy Hale

This extraordinary new picture book masterfully tackles the complex task of contextualizing seemingly complex architectural... Full review >

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by Steve Jenkins & illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Otherwise, distinguished both as natural history and work of art. Full review >

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by Rebecca L. Johnson

Science writing at its grossest and best, though as the title (not to mention the blood-spattered pages) warns, not for the... Full review >

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by Elin Kelsey & illustrated by Soyeon Kim

A remarkable achievement. Full review >

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