Reaching Reluctant Young Readers

Reaching Reluctant Young Readers features 150 middle-grade books. Each profiled title has the potential to hook the reluctant reader and lure them to read the entire book. To specifically encourage elementary and middle-school-age reluctant children to read, there is first a pitch to get the reader’s attention. That is followed by a short reading passage to “set the hook” and encourage the young person to read the rest of the book on their own. Further, the book contains several hundred additional recommended titles. The books selected for this collection were chosen following the criteria of reluctant reader books created by the Quick Picks committee sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association. While these guidelines were designed for young adult books, they also work well for middle-grade books. The criteria include: clear writing (no convoluted long sentences with sophisticated vocabulary), high interest “hook” in the first few pages, well-defined characters, interesting plot, and familiar themes.

Marilyn Reynolds has brought many disaffected, school-hostile, and wholly unmotivated students into the ranks of lifelong readers. In this concise, practical book, she shares techniques she has used and personal anecdotes that reveal much about reluctant readers and teachers who struggle daily to engage them. Among many other key topics, Reynolds discusses: the importance of respect for students' attitudes, experiences, perceptions, and choices regarding reading tips for motivating reluctant readers classroom management issues tudent/teacher/program accountability. In addition to insightful analysis, Reynolds devotes a good portion of her book to practical, immediately usable resources, including answers to frequently asked questions, prompts for teaching, and a separate section of "Tricks of the Trade" with logs, forms, an extensive list of "hit" books, and much more. Read Reynolds and offer your reluctant readers the gift of a reading habit.

More than simply a vital collection development tool, this book can help librarians help young adults grow into the kind of independent readers and thinkers who will flourish at college.

Includes strategies for reaching reluctant readers aged 10-15, followed by an annotated bibliography of recommended fiction, comics, graphic novels, nonfiction, picture books, magazines, and audio books.

Novel-Ties study guides contain reproducible pages in a chapter by chapter format to accompany a work of literature of the same title.

Jesse Rigsby hates video games—and for good reason. You see, a video game character is trying to kill him. After getting sucked in the new game Full Blast with his friend Eric, Jesse starts to see the appeal of vaporizing man-size praying mantis while cruising around by jet pack. But pretty soon, a mysterious figure begins following Eric and Jesse, and they discover they can't leave the game. If they don't figure out what's going on fast, they'll be trapped for good!

Civics and citizenship focus on providing students with the disposition and tools to effectively engage with their government. Critical literacy is necessary for responsible citizenship in a world where the quantity of information overwhelms quality information and misinformation is prevalent. Critical Literacy Initiatives for Civic Engagement is an essential reference source that discusses the intersection of critical literacy and citizenship and provides practical ways for educators to encourage responsible citizenship in their classrooms. Featuring research on topics such as language learning, school governance, and digital platforms, this book is ideally designed for professionals, teachers, administrators, academicians, and researchers.

Now you can spend less time planning and more time making reading fun! These teacher-tested ideas for motivating reluctant readers will make it easier to awaken a love of books in your students. The book concentrates on six genres: funny books, scary books, science fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, and gross but great books. Includes reproducible student booklists.