Required
Watson J. and Stencel, J. (2005). Reaching Reluctant Readers with Nonfiction in
Young Adult Library Services; 4 (1), p8-11. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=18695642&site=ehost-live
The authors discuss the fact that nonfiction books can be easier for reluctant readers to get interested in as they do not have a plot and they cover a wide range of subjects so there are some that suit the interests of just about anyone.
Recommended
Goldsmith, F. (2008). Don’t Bother Me, I’m Reading, Too. School Library Journal, 54 (11), 40-44. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=35226033&site=ehost-live
This article is about how teens, especially teenage boys, are embracing graphic nonfiction intended for adults. This is because adult graphic novels offer better storey telling and graphics than the ones intended for teens.
Aronson, M. (2006). Originality in Nonfiction. School Library Journal 52 (1), 42-43. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=19484097&site=ehost-live
This article was written by an author who writes non-fiction for young adults. He suggests that librarians separate original non-fiction out from the non-fiction that was created to fulfil a “dutiful purpose.” His intention is allow easier access to original non-fiction to young adults as he argues that most of the non-fiction they currently have access to is reliable adult non-fiction that has been simplified.
Jones, P. (2001). Nonfiction: The Real Stuff. School Library Journal 47 (4), 44. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=4307338&site=ehost-live
This article argues that non-fiction for pleasure reading is not highly valued in the classroom or in some libraries. The author argues that non-fiction needs to be more readily available to young adults and they need to be aware of the fact that reading non-fiction can be pleasurable.
Lempke, S.D. (2004). Taking Stock of Series Nonfiction for Teens. Booklist 101 (4) 416.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=14905570&site=ehost-live
This article is about serial non-fiction for young adults. “These series tend to be bouncy
in tone and often seek to help teens, especially girls, answer such age-old questions as Who am I? Quizzes and personality tests abound—readers can analyze their handwriting, identify
their inner goddesses, or, assess their ability to manage stress.”
Dickey, J. & Jones, P. (1993). Informational nonfiction for YAs. School Library Journal 39 (1) 40.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=9301210427&site=ehost-live
This article is about how teens often feel uncomfortable checking out books on sexual orientation, alcoholic parents or birth control. The author suggests that these books should be shelved so that the teens can find them with little or no help.
See Debby’s Blog for the rest of the readings.
