Transcript Reaching Reluctant Readers: Tips, Tools, and Techniques

Things Change
Evolution and Revolution
in YA Fiction
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers

Cover - catchy,
action-oriented,
attractive,
appealing, good
"blurb"
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
Print style sufficiently large
for enjoyable
reading
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers

Format - appropriate
and appealing
balance of text and
white space
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers

Artwork/illustrations
- enticing, realistic,
demonstrated
diversity
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers

Clear writing without
long convoluted
sentences of
sophisticated
vocabulary
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers

Acceptable literary
quality and
effectiveness of
presentation
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

High interest "hook"
in first 10 pages
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Well-defined
characters and not
too many of them
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Sufficient plot to
sustain interest
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When you write, do you think about the
potential book's appeal to non-readers?

R.L. Stine: Almost all of my books
are designed for reluctant readers.
When I wrote and edited
educational magazines, I learned
how to write for different reading
levels. I try to keep my scary books
at a 4th-grade reading and
vocabulary level. In addition-- short
books, fast-paced, lots of surprises
and twists, cliff-hanger chapter
endings to force them to go on to
the next chapter, and plot-driven
books with little description to slow
down the action.
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Plot lines developed
through dialog and
action rather than
descriptive text
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Familiar themes
with emotional
appeal for teenagers
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Young adults like fiction that:
1. Show YAs being independent from adults.
2. Reassure YAs they are "normal".
3. Present role models.
4. Demonstrate problem solving in action.
5. Allow to feel like winners/overcoming
odds.
6. Display relationships of all sorts.
7. Capture intensity and uncertainty of their
life.
8. Help develop of socially responsible
behavior
9. Explore lives of other teenagers.
.
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Believable
treatment (that does
not preclude
speculative fiction
however)
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Single point of
view / not too many
characters
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Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction

Touches of humor
when appropriate
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Final thoughts
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Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Amanda
Subject: Hi ‘‘ I loved your book’’’
To: [email protected]
My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished
reading your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring
thing that I have read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading
but, this book just captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never
finished a whole book, but this one I read it in two days flat!!! I have
never read a book that related so well to teens today. You were so real
when you wrote this book........’’’ I was shocked to find that this was
your first book dedicated to teens!!! I only wish that you write more!!!
The girl Johanna was so strong it only made feel good about my self!!! I
could relate to every single thing in the book....... and it can only show
to others that real things can happen to real people!!!’’’’ And you told it
like it was in the book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now my
favorite author!!! And I HOPE that you write many more teen books
because I can guarantee you I will the first to get one!!!
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Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-8901-3
Price: $16.95
224 pages
April 2004
Paperback
ISBN: 0-8027-7746-5
ISBN 13: 978-08027-7746-1
Price: $7.95
224 pages
April 2006
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nailed
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6
ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5
Price: $16.95
224 pages
Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
April 2006
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Chasing
Tail
Lights
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1
ISBN 13: 978-08027-9628-8
Price: $16.95
304 pages
August 2007
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Cheated
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-9699-0
Price: $16.95
208 pages
Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
April 2008
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Stolen Car / October 2008
Danielle is drawn to Reid, the
quintessential “bad boy.” Even though
she should learn from her mother’s
poor taste in men, she gets caught in
Reid’s lifestyle. Danielle turns a blind
eye to his lies, and is soon in way over
her head. But her BFF Ashley is
determined not to let Danielle
become the road kill on Reid’s joy ride
through life. Once she forces Dani to
see through Reid’s deception, they
take off on a revenge-injected road
trip that starts with a stolen car and
ends with some harsh truths.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
Consulting, training, and
coaching for providing
powerful youth services
including library card
campaigns and web projects
 [email protected]

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