Russell Freedman - My Favorite Young Adult Nonfiction Author

Had to pause while reading Flygirl to dedicate a post to my favorite author of young adult nonfiction., Russell Freedman.  I discovered Freedman's books while taking a young adult lit class in college.  Fascinated by his book, Buffalo Hunt, I presented his collection of work with enthusiasm to my classmates.  And forever after, I've been a fan, incorporating his work into my social studies curriculum when I could.  He chronicles American History, so teaching World Civilization didn't always afford me many opportunities to show off his work.  As the library media specialist, it's my privilege to offer my students his entire collection.  (This is one of the collection development freedoms I have!) 

What's the connection between reading Flygirl and Russell Freedman?  As I am about halfway through the book, I have begun to question why I know little to nothing about the women pilots during WWII, not to mention the African American pilots who sacrificed their lives for a country that didn't value theirs?  I immediately thought of Freedman and knew that he would be the author to write the nonfiction book that would respectfully honor the women and men who volunteered to serve the U.S.  I wish he would...this is a fascinating topic that I'm sure would make teaching African American History Month even better.  

What's so special about Russell Freedman's books?   First and foremost, Freedman is a biographer.  One of his many talents is collecting information that young adults need and want to learn about.   The authentic primary and secondary sources he uses to tell the true story of someone, some time period or some event.  I mentioned Buffalo Hunt earlier.  I was drawn to the cover art and then drawn inside and throughout the book.  The images tell the story and his words read like fiction.  I'd never wanted to read an entire nonfiction book about Native Americans before until I read this book!  I poured over each page, anticipating the next.  Normally, I tell my students that "reading a nonfiction book consists of using the Table of Contents and the Index to locate what you're interested in and then reading that first.  Anything else you stumble across is just icing!  Unless you pick up a Freedman book, then you'll want to read it cover to cover.  You won't be able to help yourself."

So he's just really good at arranging pictures and writing captions?  No.  It goes way beyond that.  He creates what are known as "photobiographies".  Freedman knows how to look at old pictures and draw the story out of them.  Let's take his photobiography of Abraham Lincoln for example.  He took four photographs of Lincoln's presidency and showed the reader how a presidency ages a president.  I can't look at a president now without looking for graying hair and worry lines!!!  Seriously, his work is so different than anyone else's.  He truly stands out among other nonfiction writers.  

And above and beyond that...he writes for young adults.  Who could ask for more?  
Before signing off for the day, I must give credit to another fantastic young adult nonfiction author...Jim Murphy.  His work takes a second to Freedman in my book, but his work is worthy of awards and recognition as well.

Now I've inspired myself to recognize Russell Freedman with a display of his work next month in our library! 

You should see the students' faces when I use this book with them!

This is one of Freedman's latest books...I'm not a Washington historian or anything, but I think it's a beautiful book. 

You should take a look at Russell Freedman and Jim Murphy.  Start with Freedman.  (wink)

Happy (Fiction and Nonfiction) Reading!
RC