About a year ago I announced that we would be building in reading weeks before each school holiday as part of our Reach programme: non-fiction before half-term breaks and fiction at the end of each term. Reading over the holidays has always been a High School priority because we never set prep at this time, with the exception of Years 11 and 13 (who have revision for public exams as their priority). However, formalising reading via reading weeks has proven to be even more successful, with the library seeing an increase in enquiries and loans around the end of each half term. 

Young people often seem to gravitate towards fiction. And why not? Getting lost in a new novel or discovering a favourite character’s next adventure is a great way of spending time and developing reading confidence. Non-fiction doesn’t always scream excitement in the same way to a young audience. It’s often lumped in with textbooks, manuals, or the kind of reading that people think will slowly send them to sleep. But I think we can persuade pupils that non-fiction might just be the secret superpower they didn’t know they needed. So here is my advice to our girls, in the hope that they might give over some of their precious reading time to High News!

You may be curious about the world and aware of the inevitable future, looming ahead with its uncertainties. It can seem daunting at times, and that’s exactly where non-fiction steps in as a reliable, insightful guide. By delving into non-fiction books, you gain access to diverse parts of the world, various walks of life, and multiple perspectives, all from the comfort of your favourite chair.

Reading about history, science, politics, or economics can help make sense of the world around you, a world that feels increasingly complex and difficult to navigate. Consider a book on climate change, for instance. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by news headlines, you can begin to understand the broader context: the causes, effects, and what can be done about it. Find out about how some amazing people have taken things into their own hands with Rebel Girls Climate Warriors: 25 Tales of Women Who Protect the Earth by Cristina Mittermeier (Rebel Girls Inc 2022). 

This kind of knowledge is empowering, especially when so much of life seems uncompromising and hard to decode. Imagine sitting in a café with friends, dropping a casual reference to the latest biography of Michelle Obama or sharing insights from a book on the wonders of the natural world. Rather than coming off like a walking encyclopaedia, you’ll appear as someone genuinely interested in how the world works. That kind of curiosity is compelling.

In a world saturated with social media, influencers, and reality TV stars vying for attention, it’s easy to feel pressured to conform to a particular image or lifestyle. But non-fiction allows you to step back and escape the constant comparison. Biographies and memoirs are especially helpful for this. Reading about someone’s real-life struggles, failures, and successes reminds you that nobody’s life is as flawless as it appears. Even highly successful people have had awkward moments or spilled coffee before important meetings.

Through non-fiction, you gain a front-row seat to the real-world, messy processes that people undergo to achieve success or fulfilment. You start to realise that no one has all the answers and if they claim to, it’s likely they are exaggerating. Additionally, non-fiction offers a broader perspective on what success and happiness can look like, beyond the glossy portrayals on social media. Learning about different people’s journeys helps you see that it’s okay to forge your own path, even if it’s unconventional. 

The real beauty of non-fiction is the sheer range of topics and subjects to explore, along with the diversity of formats, from traditional text-based books to graphic publications. You might uncover a passion for marine biology, or develop an idea for an app that could change the world. Or you might just find out about a historical period that fascinates you and gives you a thirst to find out more. A great choice for junior school girls who love history and engineering is The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff and Nancy Carpenter (Margaret K. McElderry Books 2021).

Another advantage of non-fiction reading is that it helps you understand not only the present but also the potential future. While the future may be uncertain, books on technology, innovation, or social justice provide insight into the trends shaping the coming years. Understanding these trends allows you to join important conversations or, better yet, lead them. For instance, reading about artificial intelligence and its impact on job markets can help you make informed decisions about your career or the skills that will be valuable in a rapidly changing world. Why not try Taming the Machine by Nell Watson (Kogan Page 2024)? Which aims to help us to harness AI in a responsible and ethical way.

Or perhaps a book on activism, environmental conservation or resistance will inspire you to make meaningful changes in your community. As the saying goes, knowledge is power; the more you understand the world, the better equipped you are to shape it. Have a look at We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World by Malala Yousafzai (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2019). This book showcases the stories of some amazing girls Malala has met on her journeys, girls who have suffered great injustice and loss but who have not lost hope.

In conclusion, non-fiction isn’t boring. It’s brilliant. Non-fiction has an undeserved reputation for being dry or dull, but it’s far from it. It’s a treasure trove of fascinating insights and practical wisdom. It offers a pathway to self-awareness, a deeper understanding of the world, and the tools to navigate the future. A word of advice though, don’t forget to ask your teacher or the librarian about how suitable a resource is for your age group.

So, the next time you’re tempted to pass on a non-fiction book in favour of a novel, consider giving it a go. You might find that reality is not only stranger than fiction, but life changing too.

Mr Rickman
Deputy Head Academic