From School Library Journal
Well written and well researched, this practical hands-on guide to defining and wooing reluctant readers is a must-read for librarians and teachers who work with adolescents. It is divided into three parts: "Tips That Work," "Titles That Work," and "Tools That Work." Reluctant readers are identified and interviewed as to why they do not want to read, and techniques are suggested for guiding them through required reading. Books that will engage nonreaders are listed by category, such as science fiction and fantasy, graphic novels, audiobooks, biography, and changing bodies. Among the many helpful lists are "Best Forty Magazines for Reluctant Readers" and "Turnaround Titles-Fifty-Seven Varieties of Great Reading Experiences." And there is a wonderful chapter on booktalking. A 12-question reading survey will enable librarians to ask their students about their reading interests and to provide feedback when planning programs or purchasing new materials.—Kathleen A. Nester, Downingtown High Ninth Grade Center, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
It's no secret that many teens don't like to read, but what is less apparent are the reasons why. The authors of this practical guide relied on surveys and interviews with young adults, teachers, and librarians to determine why so many kids can't, won't, or don't read. They've analyzed their findings to create innovative solutions, presented here in three sections: helpful tips, recommended titles (annotated bibliographies sorted by genre and format), and effective tools (booktalk styles and scripts and a sample reader's survey). Several young adult authors have contributed essays or observations. These realistic, field-tested strategies will appeal to classroom teachers and media specialists, and all youth librarians will appreciate the collection-development guidance. Any collection that serves teens should make this a first-priority purchase. Kathleen McBroom
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
When experts like these speak, we should all listen and grasp whatever we can form their wisdom to add to our teaching methods...To motivate teens to read more...links the teacher-librarian to raising academic achievement. --Teacher-Librarian
Well-written and well-researched, this practical hands-on guide to defining and wooing reluctant readers is a must-read for librarians and teachers who work with adolescents. --School Library Journal
Many tips and tools that should help any librarian attempting to transform the reluctant teen reader into a voracious reader of numerous books...This guide fascinates...The authors have packed much here warranting the price...Complete with an excellent bibliography, subject, author, and title indices, this guide is a first purchase. --Catholic Library World, Volume 78 No. 1, June 2007
