Having a diverse selection of nonfiction books in your classroom library is a great way for students to build a wealth of knowledge during independent reading. But these same books are also a wonderful resource for teachers to tap when they want to develop lessons that will empower and engage their students throughout the school year. By drawing inspiration from nonfiction books, you’ll find that introducing key concepts in your lessons will feel more natural and that your lessons will resonate with students more deeply.

If you’re looking for the perfect nonfiction book to kick off a science, math, or social studies lesson, or even a writing workshop focused on memoirs, check out these 10 popular titles teachers just like you choose for their classroom library.

Feeling inspired? Now it’s time to translate and organize all your ideas into a structured lesson plan that meets your curriculum requirements. This in-depth sample lesson plan on mythology, adapted from The New Teacher's Complete Sourcebook: Middle School  by Paula Naegle, outlines everything you need to know to create an effective lesson for your students.