With an entire paper on non-fiction at GCSE, it seems strange that we’re not taking more time to really explore non-fiction texts fully. I don’t mean extracts or brief chapters, I mean whole books. This might be one of the ways in which we can engage those who do not see themselves as readers because fiction doesn’t appeal to them…

Whilst this won’t be for everyone,  Tara Westover’s ‘Educated’ might just be a real gem for someone looking to go through an entire non-fiction text, or at least some fairly substantial chunks.

Tara Westover is approachable, relatable and charming in her bluntness. Many of the stories of her childhood will appeal to those rebellious students in our classes. The daily dangers and absence of school will give them both a view of another style of life but, also, a sense of why education is important.

Without being self-pitying, Tara’s memoir is poignant and looks at some of life’s biggest issues: family, religion, domestic abuse, gender roles, being different, survival and self-care.

Topics all of us need to consider.

What is perhaps most refreshing here is that Westover treads that thin line between acknowledging wrongdoing without being judgmental and condemnatory. Essentially it’s the tale of how imperfect people love one another imperfectly, but very deeply.

More than that, ‘Educated’ shows the power of education to free people and truly change their lives, enabling them to care for themselves by making difficult decisions.

Perhaps what is most striking about this is the way in which it incorporates story-telling into non-fiction. The anecdotes of events and incidents are well told, well structured and deeply affecting. Well worth considering with year nine classes.

Or just read it yourself. It deserves a gander, probably only one too. I read it in a sitting!