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GROSS AND GRIPPING:
The Power of Strange Stories in NF Kidlit
What do leeches, lice, mold, and
poop have in common? They’re all gross, no doubt, but they’re also fantastic
introductions to science experiments and surprising facts! As a nonfiction
author writing for kids, I’ve found that the weirder or grosser the hook, the
faster I can pull in readers—especially the ones who don’t usually pick up a
book. Strange facts capture their curiosity and lead them to dive deeper into
history and science without even realizing they’re learning.
Take leeches, for instance. These
little bloodsuckers have been used in medicine for centuries, and they still
are today! In modern surgery, they help promote blood flow, but tell kids that
George Washington’s doctors accidentally bled him to death using leeches, and
their eyes widen in shock. Suddenly, they’re not only fascinated by the history
of medicine but eager to understand how medical practices have evolved over
time.
But let’s not forget how the
world’s messiest lab accident led to one of the greatest medical discoveries of
all time. In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming returned to his cluttered, moldy
lab after vacation to find mold growing on his petri dishes. Instead of
cleaning up, he investigated—and realized that the mold was killing harmful
bacteria. That mold became penicillin, a breakthrough that revolutionized
medicine. This kind of unexpected, quirky discovery shows kids that science
isn’t just about perfect experiments; sometimes, it’s about making unexpected
connections that lead to something amazing.
And it's not just gross or quirky
medical facts that hook readers. Some of my favorite strange stories come from
history, like the tale of Frances Glessner Lee, a millionaire heiress who spent
her time building murder dioramas. Yes, you heard that right—miniature,
dollhouse-sized crime scenes! Lee’s Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death
were used to train detectives in crime scene investigation. This eerie but
fascinating story pulls kids into the world of forensic science, where they can
learn how detectives piece together clues to solve real-life mysteries.
Weird facts aren’t just fun for
kids—they’re gold for authors too! If you want to grab young readers’
attention, think about how you can use the strange, the gross, or the bizarre
to pull them into your story. What weird fact have you stumbled upon lately?
Keep a file of strange tidbits that spark your curiosity, whether it’s an
unusual historical event, a quirky science discovery, or a bizarre cultural
practice. These nuggets could be the seeds for your next great nonfiction book
or even a fun twist in a fictional tale.
There are countless places to find
these quirky facts. Podcasts about history, science, and mysteries are rich
sources of weird and wonderful stories. News articles often feature strange
discoveries or oddities that are ripe for exploration. Documentaries, museum
exhibits, and even social media can offer up fascinating details that most
people overlook. When something odd catches your attention, don’t dismiss
it—investigate! Ask yourself how you can turn that fact into a story idea that
will captivate young readers.
By using the unusual to liven up your writing, you’re not just adding entertainment value—you’re creating books that kids will want to read. And the weirder the fact, the more likely it is to hook them into learning something new. So, the next time you’re brainstorming a story or lesson, don’t be afraid to go for the strange. The grossest, quirkiest details might just be the key to selling books that keep kids coming back for more.
