Teens Reading Adult Books

1. Teens Reading Adult Books Jessica E. Moyer December 3, 2008 CI 8400 Galda

2. Research Questions Teens read plenty of adult fiction, especially older teens • Which books are best for teen readers? • How can teachers and librarians know which to suggest? • What makes a book published for adults resonate with teens? • What types of adult books most often appeal to teen readers? • Do adult books for teens need to be like YA books or is this a separate type of reading all together? • how do teachers select adult books for high school reading? • Which books are suggested for high school classes? • What resources are available?

3. Literary Analysis Framework Appeal Factors of Leisure Reading From, Readers’ Advisory Services in the Public Library by Joyce Saricks, ALA Editions, 2005, 3rd ed. 40-73 • Characterization • Pacing • Frame and tone • Storyline • Used in reviews in most library journals that cater to leisure readers – Booklist, Library Journal, etc. • Used when teaching librarians how to talk with readers and when teaching how to understand and analyze leisure leisure reading materials • First articulated and published in 1st ed of Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library, 1987

4. Appeal Factors: Pacing • How quickly are character/plot revealed? • Dialogue v. Description – how much white space is on each page? Which drives the story? • Short sentences, short paragraphs, short chapters? • Multiple plotlines, flashbacks, different points of view, straight line plot? • Is the ending open or closed? • Is it part of a series?

5. Appeal Factors: Characterization • Are characters developed or are they one dimensional stereotypes? • Is focus on a single character or several who intertwine? • Is characterization most important aspect of story? • Is character developed during the series or in one book? • Are there memorable or important secondary characters? • Would readers know the characters from previous reading or viewing?

6. Appeal Factors: Storyline • Does the story emphasize people or situations and events? • Is the focus of the plot interior/psychological or exterior/action? Is there more thinking and reflection or more car chases and shoot outs? • What is the author’s intent? Serious or light? Comedy or drama?

7. Appeal Factors: Frame • Is the background detailed or minimal? • How much of the text describes the setting? Is there a map? • Does the setting play a major role? • How does the book make the reader feel? • Is a special background integral to the story? • Should readers already know about the world or it is introduced fully? What reader knowledge might be assumed?

8. How To Read A Book in 10 Minutes: A quick way to familiarize yourself with new books 1. Cover: Will your students be able to be seen with it? 2. Jacket blurb: What does it tell you about the book/author? 3. Typeface: How easy is it to read? 4. Heft - Can they carry it? Open and read it easily? 5. Read a sample: First and last chapters, pages in the middle 6. Evaluate--genre/type; pace; clarity. How does it fit into the appeal factors? 7. What is the format? Hardcover, paperback, illustrated, etc. 8. Connect this book to other books. What other books is this like? What other authors write like this? 9. Who will enjoy this book?

9. Literary Analysis Ender’s Game Coldest Winter Ever Shannara Wheel of Time Name of the Wind Star Wars series books Water for Elephants Secret Life of Bees* When the Wind Blows Child Called It Zane Glass Castle Kite Runner* The Road * 19 Minutes, My Sister’s Keeper Dean Koontz Stephen King The Host Nicholas Sparks Wicked