Believes that young people need contemporary authors who maintain the tradition of the classics. Notes that sometimes the language of the classics seems stilted and overly formal to students. Suggests having students read contemporary and classic novels together. Explores how teachers might link the novels of Louise Plummer and Jane Austen. (SG)

Suggest oral reading as a valuable way to interest students in the joys of reading. Lists four guidelines for reading aloud. (PRA)

Considers reasons that teachers and students alike do not read for pleasure. Lists three steps to address this: defining the teacher's reading philosophy; defining students' reading philosophies; and fusing reading research and curricular expectations. Describes how the author focuses her curriculum to accommodate more reading. (SG)

Through email partnerships or email exchanges with university, students increase confidence in reading and discussing literature. The act of composing email messages helps the student to articulate their thoughts.

Summer book groups enhance and sustain student literacy behaviors over the break, making available an enjoyable social forum for critical-thinking and critical-reading practices to occur naturally. Significantly, the book groups grant faculty and students an informal space to connect meaningfully through reflective discussion of texts. Because…

Provides an analysis of what adolescents like to read and how teachers can motivate them to read. Presents a list of recommended books for young adults. (RL)

Examines four stages of reading development, and discusses the differences between a developing adolescent reader and an adult reader. Notes that early stages of reading development are bridges to the world of mature, adult experiences with books, and urges English teachers to encourage developing readers' enthusiasm for all literature. (MM)

Describes the reading attitudes and development of a 17-year-old recovering alcoholic and drug addict. (MM)

Relates the experiences of students who loved to read as children, but grew to dislike reading as they passed through junior high and high school. Suggests having students compile a personal anthology of works of their choice rather than assigning them specific readings which they do not select. (PRA)

Outlines a reading program based on the premises that adults need to model good reading habits for students, and that students will read what they like to read. (PRA)

Discusses the attitudes and issues of reluctant readers by describing the author's son Jonathan, an intelligent young man who came to hate reading. Offers advice for teachers from Jonathan regarding how they can help students enjoy reading more. Presents annotations of 11 new or overlooked young adult books worth reading. (SR)

Describes a high school language arts elective course on the novel, based on copious reading both in and out of class, a mix of assigned books and personal choice books in a broad range of difficulty in sophistication, and a wide range of activities, discussions, and writing. Notes enthusiastic responses, individual victories, and the sense of…

Offers five suggestions gleaned from research that can help teachers to develop in their students a life-long interest in reading. (PRA)

Discusses how alien students and teachers are to each other, especially when it comes to literature. Argues that these differences are at the root of many difficulties faced in helping students become readers and appreciate literature. Offers brief descriptions of 10 new or overlooked young-adult books worth reading. (SR)

Presents results from an informal survey of 50 individuals of all ages about the Harry Potter phenomenon. Offers four suggestions for the English language arts classroom about a place "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" might have in a school's curriculum, dealing with transforming text, understanding genre, responding to texts with personal…