The authors share findings from a recent study of teens who freely select to read texts typically marginalized by schools (dystopia, vampire, romance, horror, fantasy), revealing the distinct functional and psychological benefits of pleasure reading. The students who participated in the study that the authors report on were eighth graders who…

The comparative effectiveness of graphic novels, heavily illustrated novels, and traditional novels as reading teaching tools has been sparsely researched. During the 2011-2012 school year, 24 mixed-ability fifth grade students chose to read six novels: two traditional novels, two highly illustrated novels and two graphic novels. Students…

Refutes the myth that young adults won't read about protagonists younger than themselves. Describes novels from which adolescents can benefit that contain candid treatment of the loss of innocence, the search for home, and the complexities of independence, love, and self-knowledge. (EL)

Discusses juvenile family novels, such as Betty Waterton's "Quincy Rumpel," Sue Ann Alderson's "The Not Impossible Summer," and Jean Little's "Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird." (EL)

Annotates one nature book, two novels, and one biography written for adults but of interest to young adult readers. (FL)

Author recommends use of mystery stories in English classes, and describes six categories of mystery. (SP)

Discusses three novels that have revived the author's interest in contemporary fiction. (HOD)

While English teachers want students to enjoy reading, to appreciate the beauty of literature, and to recognize the universality of the classics, many adolescent students do not become interested in the aesthetic aspect of literature until they are beyond high school age. Some works, outside the traditional literary canon, speak more directly to…

Presents the comments of an 11-year-old and his mother regarding what is so magical about the Harry Potter series of books. Notes the child enjoyed the fantasy aspects and the animals in the books; and the mother appreciates the sheer fun of reading the books and that the characters show sensitivity and caring for each other. (RS)

Discusses how romantic novels can be used to generate interest in the secondary school classroom. (DF)

Argues that it may be possible to help students read more and, at the same time, to pique their interest in the classics by suggesting that they read the works of Western writer Louis L'Amour. (FL)

National Assessment of Educational Progress. Their reading skills aside, young Americans not only attach great importance to studying literature but are remarkbly avid readers. (Editor) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Interpretation).

This collection of articles discusses the selection and use of literature for the adolescent reader. The essays can be used in classes preparing junior high or high school English teachers, or they can be used as continuing preparation by experienced teachers. The six sections of the book include: a general discussion of the literature classroom;…

An Earlier version presented as a speech at the University of Vermont, Burlington, September 1968.

The articles in this journal issue focus on adolescent literature. In the first article, author John Neufeld discusses how he chooses a particular topic and writes to uncover his own particular bias. The second article discusses the theme of "a price must be paid" in the works of Ouida Sebestyen while the third article presents an…