[deborah-cochelin Posts: 4 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

This is my first time posting, and am not sure I am in the right place. I want to include what I can only figure out to call are informational inserts, i.e. maps, timelines, historical events, etc. in my middle grade non-fiction book. Is there an appropriate name for this device? If so, where can I learn more about them? Thank you.

[AnneB Posts: 3,544 Status: Offline]

Sidebars for ones that are with the text, otherwise they can go in Author's Notes, an appendix, etc., depending on the formality of the book.  Disclaimer: I've only done adult NF; someone with middle grade experience probably will weigh in with more targeted suggestions.

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,259 Status: Offline RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

Sidebars if they are on the same pages as the text, back matter if it follows the text.

[JulieM Posts: 844 Status: Offline WWW]

I second Rebecca. Within the back matter you could call each one a "graphic".

[deborah-cochelin Posts: 4 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Very interesting and helpful.  My thinking so far is that the graphic would go on a separate page right behind (or next to) the page with the text i.e. about the historical person's reference, or a map about the location I am discussing, i.e. a small town in South Carolina.  It would not be at the "back" of the book. Would that still be referred to as "back matter?" I do plan on including historical timelines at the back of the book. Thank you!!!!

[deborah-cochelin Posts: 4 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

It seems that whatever is directly following the text, even if not on the same page would be called the sidebar. 

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,621 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

It is a sidebar. The idea is that the reader can look at the sidebar immediately if they want more info, but doesn't have to. Some will, others may not want to break up the general flow of the narrative. I usually read short ones, but return to longer ones when I finish the main text.

[deborah-cochelin Posts: 4 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you.  This helps.