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A big belated thank you to those of you who responded to my March '98 request for information about reluctant readers. I have been so busy writing the paper that I postponed preparing this "HIT". I received so much valuable info, that it was almost a piece of cake to write the paper. What follows is an annotated bibliography of resources for those who want to develop or enhance a reluctant reader collection as well as a list of review sources. If anyone is interested in more information I would be glad to send them my paper as a file attachment so just email me directly if I can be of any help. Once again--THANKS. Recommended Bibliographies for Reluctant Reader Collections Ammon, Bette D. and Sherman, Gale W. Worth a Thousand Words: An Annotated Guide to Picture Books for Older Readers. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1996. The criteria for inclusion in this volume are artistic and literary quality, sophisticated content and subject matter, universal themes and issues and more complex text than traditional picture books. These books serve as curriculum supplements and will appeal as recreational reading to some "reluctants". The bibliographical entries include author, title, publisher, subject, theme, genre and curriculum extensions. It is indexed by author/illustrator, title and subject. Also included is an extensive bibliography for further collection development. Bodart, Joni Richards. 100 World-Class Thin Books -or- What to Read When Your Book Report is Due Tomorrow. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1993. Despite its tongue in cheek title this reference is an invaluable source for collection development. Ms. Bodart’s goal is to select the "best examples of short novels for adolescents and young adults." The criteria for inclusion are that the books be 200 pages or less, appeal to middle and high school students and are quality literature. Bibliographical entries contain subject, themes and characters as well as author, title and publisher while also providing springboards for booktalks and book reports. This well-indexed volume includes indices of curriculum area, genre, grade level and readability (i. e. quick, average or thoughtful) as well as the traditional subject, author, title and publisher indices. The selections range from the hip Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block to the classic Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Jones, Patrick. Connecting Young Adults and Libraries. New York: Neal- Schuman Publishers, Inc., 1992. Much more than a bibliography, Patrick Jones’ work is the young adult librarian’s bible. In addition to a thoughtful discussion of collection development he writes extensively about how to reach this difficult to reach audience. His lists of recommended magazines and review sources are superb. LiBretto, Ellen V. High/Low Handbook. 3rd ed. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1990. This handbook provides an extensive list of criteria to use in evaluating potential high/low candidates. The focus is primarily on the "disabled" (or remedial) reader who has a reading level of grade 5 or under and interest level of grade 6 and up. Various authors with backgrounds in both research and the field contributed to this work. A 120 page annotated bibliography does not consist of mainstream titles. It was the aim of the compiler to represent different perspectives in this work. Thus this work is a wonderful supplement to the more traditional high/low bibliographies. Also included is a 20 page annotated bibliography for reluctant readers. The appendices are invaluable. They include a directory of computer programs/publishers, book publishers, other bibliographies and review sources. McBride, William G. High interest-Easy Reading-A Booklist for Junior and Senior High School Students. 6th ed. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English, 1990. The choice of wording in this title is significant. "Easy" reading rather than the traditional usage "low" ability is perceived to be less pejorative. Because it is written for use directly by students in grades 7 to 12 who are "non-readers by inclination not ability," references to grade and interest level are omitted to avoid misleading the audience. It is, of course, an important source for the librarian as well. Because it is compiled by a committee with a wide range of views and backgrounds rather than an individual with a single point of view, the list is more inclusive and representative than other bibliographies. Indices and a comprehensive publisher directory are excellent. Although this is not the newest version of this publication, it was the only one available for review by this author. The recommended titles are somewhat dated. A newer edition published in 1996 is edited by Patricia Phelan. Pilla, Marianne Laino. Resources for Middle Grade Reluctant Readers. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1987. The value of the 30 page bibliography included in Pilla’s work is that it is targeted for 4th to 6th graders, the years when reluctance blooms. It is a representative rather than a comprehensive list and is limited by its publication date of 1987. It does however point the selector in the right direction for this age group by recommending certain authors and by the inclusion of reading and interest levels. As a reference for issues such as processing, programming, evaluation and the librarian’s role the date of publication is irrelevant and it remains a beneficial resource. Sherman, Gale W. and Ammon, Bette D. Rip-roaring Reads for Reluctant Teen Readers. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1993. A concise annotation this is not. The editors selected only forty "contemporary spellbinding books by forty outstanding authors." Despite the brevity of the list, this book is a must-have for anyone charged with developing a collection for reluctant readers. It is thorough and not overwhelming There is "something for everyone" with most of the favorite genres represented. The annotated bibliographical entries are encyclopedic. In addition to author, title and publisher are plot summaries, further information about the author, suggestions for introducing the book to students and literature extensions. Citations are excellent. The book is indexed by author, title, theme, genre and curricular connection. An appendix by interest level is helpful. Reproducible bookmarks which list other books by a recommended author, in a particular genre, about a similar topic and in the same series can be used by the collection development staff to extend the collection and are useful tools for reader’s guidance. Note: According to an e-mail discussion with the editors, a sequel More Rip- Roaring Reads for Reluctant Teen Readers is due to be released in the fall of 1998. Recommended Resources for Reviews The following publications are excellent sources for reviews for selection decisions: Young Adult titles only: VOYA-Voice of Youth Advocates Kliatt Young Adult Paperback Book Guide ALAN Review Young Adult and Children’s titles: Appraisal BCCB-Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books Emergency Librarian Horn Book School Library Journal General Booklist Kirkus Nancy Riemer Kellner Senior Library Assistant, Shrewsbury Public Library Masters candidate, URI Library and Information Systems NKellner@aol.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST * NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=