Best Nonfiction Books for High School (2026)

The best nonfiction books for high school mix true stories that read like novels with study guides that make classes easier. This list compares five nonfiction books for high school readers, from memoir to science study help, plus two more picks.

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Book	Pages	Reading age	Published
The Absolutely True Diary	288	11+ years	April 1, 2009
The 57 Bus	336	12 – 18 years	October 17, 2017
Super Simple Biology	288	8 – 13 years	June 23, 2020
Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages	352	11 – 13 years	February 1, 2007
Mission High	320	Not stated	August 9, 2016

Scores are our own rankings; all figures come from the listings.

Best nonfiction books for high school: five compared

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian leads: 288 pages, reading age 11 plus, grade 7, April 1, 2009, from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and the listing states it won the National Book Award. It suits readers who want a true story with humor and heart.

The 57 Bus is the true-crime pick: 336 pages, reading age 12 to 18, grade 7 to 9, October 17, 2017, from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Super Simple Biology is the study pick: 288 pages, reading age 8 to 13, grade 7 to 9, 2020 edition from DK Children. Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages is the classroom pick: 352 pages of 80 high-interest passages, reading age 11 to 13, February 1, 2007. Mission High is the education pick: 320 pages, August 9, 2016, from Bold Type Books.

The Absolutely True Diary

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the memoir pick: 288 pages for reading age 11 plus, and the listing states it won the National Book Award. It suits high schoolers who want a true story that reads fast.

The 57 Bus

The 57 Bus is a true story of two teenagers and a crime that changed their lives: 336 pages for reading age 12 to 18. It suits readers who want real events with real weight.

Super Simple Biology

Super Simple Biology is the bitesize study guide: 288 pages, reading age 8 to 13, 2020 edition. It suits students who want biology in clear, visual chunks.

Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages

Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages offers 80 high-interest passages for grades 6 to 8: 352 pages for reading age 11 to 13. It suits struggling readers who want nonfiction that holds attention.

Mission High

Mission High is one school’s story: how experts tried to fail it and the students pushed back. 320 pages, 2016 edition. It suits readers interested in education itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is the longest?

Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages at 352 pages. The 57 Bus is 336; Mission High is 320.

Which won an award?

The listing states The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian won the National Book Award.

Which is the study guide?

Super Simple Biology: a 288 page bitesize study guide, 2020 edition, reading age 8 to 13.

Which is the newest?

Super Simple Biology, June 23, 2020. The oldest is Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages, February 1, 2007.

Which suits struggling readers?

Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages: 80 high-interest passages for grades 6 to 8, reading age 11 to 13.

Related lists

See every nonfiction list and all young adult lists.

More lists: browse nonfiction books for teenage girls and nonfiction books for book clubs.

More picks to compare

• Nonfiction Cliffhangers15 high-interest true stories that teach comprehension: 80 pages, reading age 9 to 13, June 1, 2008.Check on Amazon
• Undecided, 2nd EditionNavigating life and learning after high school: 288 pages, reading age 14 to 18, 2nd edition 2020.Check on Amazon