MOWMT 22: Page-Turning Secrets with Mary Boone

MOWMT: The Secret to Writing Page-Turning Nonfiction

By Mary Boone

Facts matter. Accuracy matters. Research matters.

But here’s the truth: Kids don’t fall in love with books because of footnotes, bolded vocabulary words or timelines.

They turn pages because they care.

I was reminded of this when I recently shared one of my picture books at an elementary school. During the question-and-answer session, a second grader asked: “Wait. You mean that really happened?”

At first I was a little taken aback. I had been introduced as a nonfiction author, and I’d specifically explained the difference between fiction and nonfiction.

But then he said: “It just seemed like a really good story.”

And that, my friends, is the best compliment I’ve ever received.

A lot of you probably grew up reading the same sort of nonfiction books I did – filled with facts and dates but a little on the dry side. There’s definitely a place for straight informational text, but my goal these days is to create nonfiction that borrows from the craft of fiction. I want my stories to include relatable characters and sensory detail. Yes, I must be accurate, but I must also focus on writing a story that pulls in readers and doesn’t let them go. So, how do we learn to do that? Mentor texts!

My favorite mentor texts include great nonfiction books, but also fiction books that allow me to study scene, construction, voice, dialogue, structure, and tension. Here are a few titles you’ll want to check out:

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming (Anne Schwartz Books) is young adult nonfiction. It has a compelling story arc, beginning with Jones’ early life, moving through the rise of the Temple, and building to the tragic climax in Jonestown. Its chronological arc and escalating stakes mirror effective fictional narrative structure. Fleming is a master researcher, but her prose never gets bogged down in dry details.

We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya (Orchard Books) is a nonfiction picture book. This book is conceptionally deep yet accessible for young readers. It’s an excellent mentor text for those wanting to write stories that are lyrical and emotive.

I Am a Masterpiece! written by Mia Armstrong and illustrated by Alexandra Thompson (Random House Books for Young Readers) is a fiction picture book that features a first-person, authentic voice from a young narrator sharing their everyday experiences, inner thoughts, and worldview. It’s an excellent mentor text for writers thinking about voice and emotional stakes.

For good measure, I’ll include my newest picture book, The Flying Feminist, illustrated by Andrea Turk (Andersen Press). This picture book biography tells the story of Lilian Bland, the first woman in the world to build and fly an airplane. You’ll note that the story itself includes only one date (the rest are in the backmatter) because whether it happened five years ago or 50 years ago, it’s all ancient history to young readers. Instead, I focus on showing why Lilian’s achievements mattered and what was at stake in her world. There are also emotional cues, such as societal expectations and Lilian’s passion, that bring events to life in a way that encourages empathy and investment from young readers.

PRIZE: For today’s blogpost prize, Mary will send a signed copy of any of her books (US winner only) or a non-rhyming picture book critique.

Mary Boone has written more than 70 nonfiction books for young readers, most recently Unfathomable: 20 (Wild but True) Stories of the Ocean (a Junior Library Gold selection), Flying Feminist, Pedal Pusher, School of Fish, and Bugs for Breakfast. Mary and her family live in Tacoma, Washington.

Visit Mary’s website to learn more about her and her work, or you can find her on social media:

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