Thin Books for Middle School Students: Non-Fiction

His talent was unbounded -- a raw force that commanded attention and respect. Tupac Shakur's most intimate and honest thoughts were uncovered only after his death. Written in his own hand from the time he was nineteen, these seventy-two poems embrace his spirit, his energy.

This beautiful book takes children on a trip through space to learn many fascinating astronomy lessons. Learning aids include Fact Files and clearly designed charts, and an interactive section points out all the objects that can be seen without a telescope from your own backyard!

A black hole isn't really a hole, is it? Find out what black holes are, what causes them, and how scientists first discovered them.

Last night while I lay thinking here. Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear are some of the funny poems you will find.

In this book in the Family Fun series, boys and girls will discover all the secrets the night sky holds. They can play games like "Night Sky I Spy," keep an astronomer's log and read about night sky myths. Star maps are included for each season -- so kids will know what to look for, when and where. Then as the sun goes down and the sky goes dark, they'll be ready for the night sky's all-star show.

Read about many natural and man-made disasters that destroy thousands of lives.

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after a trip-and-fall mishap, she injures her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, corrective surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

Featuring hundreds of photos, diagrams, and maps, along with a pull-out map and large shark poster, this guide introduces young readers to one of the world's deadliest animals.

Myths are grouped by theme under such headings as Creation, Fertility and Cultivation, Gods and Men, and the Afterlife, allowing readers to compare similar stories from different parts of the world and to gain insight into other cultures. Background information about historical and cultural events includes photos of places and objects mentioned in each story.

Why this shape and not that? Why steel instead of concrete or stone? Why put it here and not over there?