The Best Nonfiction Narrative Books for Middle Schoolers on History

1. "March: Book One" by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin - Originally published in 2013, this graphic novel by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin is an autobiography of U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. It covers his early life, including his role in the Civil Rights Movement and the events leading up to the March on Washington in 1963. It provides a powerful narrative of one person's role in shaping history and the fight for equality.

2. "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank - Originally published in 1947, this diary by Anne Frank is a powerful first-hand account of the Holocaust. It covers the time period of Anne Frank's life in hiding during World War II and provides a glimpse into the daily struggles and fears of Jewish people during that time.

3. "A Night Divided" by Jennifer A. Nielsen - Originally published in 2015, this novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen is a powerful narrative that tells the story of a family divided by the Berlin Wall. It provides a personal look into the impact of the Cold War on ordinary people and the struggle for freedom and reunification.

4. "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - Originally published in 2015, this novel by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a powerful narrative that tells the story of a young girl evacuated from London during World War II. It provides a personal look into the impact of the war on ordinary people and the struggles they faced.

5. "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead - Originally published in 2016, this novel by Colson Whitehead is a powerful narrative that tells the story of a young enslaved woman's journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad. It provides a personal look into the horrors of slavery and the fight for freedom and equality during the 1800s.