Patrick Jones
www.connectingya.com
Getting started
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One in your face: “I hate to
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One fact: “Reading ability is
School Library Journal
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November 2001
“Why We Are Kids Best Assets” 
read” – what does it mean, why
did he say it, and what you can
do about it
positively correlated with the
extent to which students read
recreationally.” -National Center
for Education Statistics.
One story from JDC
One book from your life
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
Getting started
HOW?
WHO?
 Lecture
 Audience
 Handouts
 Customers / students
 Active Learning
 Presenter
 Peer Learning
 Question and answer
WHAT: Objectives
 Power Point:
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHAT: OBJECTIVES
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Learn why some readers are reluctant
readers
Learn the best materials to reach
reluctant readers
Share practices for reaching reluctant
readers
Any others?
www.connectingya.com
Small group: answer his 2 questions
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Why should I read for pleasure
rather than watch TV, go to the
mall, listen to music, IM, talk on
my cell phone, play Nintendo,
work, study, be on myspace, or
do something that’s not so
boring?
Okay, fine. I’m in 8th grade;
what should I read? (based on
your experience, not a readers
advisory interview with teen)
~Who are Reluctant Readers~
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
How often do you read? (Survey says)
How do you read?
Girls
Boys
Total
I read constantly for my own personal satisfaction, and I love it.
35%
17%
28%
I don't have much time to read for pleasure, but I like to when I get the chance.
41%
40%
41%
I only read what I'm supposed to for school.
13%
24%
17%
I basically don't read books much at all.
5%
9%
5%
No answer.
6%
10%
7%
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Why don’t you read (survey says)
If you don't read much or don't like reading, why not?”
Girls
Boys
Total’
No time/too busy
41.4%
29.8%
36.1%
Boring/not fun
29.3
39.3%
33.7%
Can’t get into the stories
6.3%
7.7%
6.9%
Boys are more interesting
.2%
N/A
.1%
Like other activities better
7.8%
11.1%
9.2%
Too much school work
5.5%
1.4%
3.7%
Makes me tired/causes headaches
1.9%
2.5%
2.2%
I’m not good at it
2.6%
4.3%
3.4%
Video games/television more interesting
1.8%
2.3%
2.0%
Books are too long
1.2%
.9%
1.1%
Friends make fun of me
.4%
0%
.2%
Other
1.9%
.9%
1.5%
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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"I think that reading is
EXTREMELY boring and that
it gives me stress!! The only
thing I will willingly read is a
magazine!!!" --girl, 17
"The reason I don’t read is
because I basically don’t
have enough time. I go to
work right after school and
go to school right away at
5:30 in the morning. But
when I do read, I love it and
wish I could do it more
often. --boy, 17
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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I have a pretty busy
schedule, and I like getting
school reading done before
pleasure reading. So I don't
get confused, I don't
normally read any other
books besides assigned ones
during the school year." -girl, 17
"Because most books can't
keep me interested, so I
guess I have a short attention
span" boy, 17,
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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"I don't really read for pleasure. If I do,
then it is from a beauty magazine like
Teen or Seventeen. No books really
interest me anymore. I used to read
Babysitters Club when I was little. I also
read other little kids books all the time,
but not anymore. At my age, no books
really interest me." --girl, 17
I think that reading takes up a lot of time
that I don't have, and I enjoy reading
when it's a good book that I'm interested
in, but I don't have the time for books
like that since the reading that I have to
do is for school, and I don't like the books
they choose for me." --girl, 17
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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“I don’t read because I am a visual
learner so I find it hard to learn with
pages and pages of words. I like to
see what I’m being taught.” –boy, age
17
“I don't mind reading for myself but
when school starts I don't like reading
anymore. School seems to have
boring books to read. Most of the
books that I'm assigned to read have
nothing to do with my profession. And
I feel that it's a waste of time. If I
have to read something I feel that it
should at least offer me some type of
helpful knowledge.” –girl, age 16
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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"I don't read because it is
boring" --boy, 15
“I usually don't read because it
gives me headaches trying to
focus my eyes on the words.” –
boy, age 14
“I don't really have time to read
during school days and I don't
really know which books are
worth reading.” –girl, age 15
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
Survey says…
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“I like to read, but it’s having the
patience to make time for it that
gets in the way! Plus, a lot of the
books seem to be sci-fi these
days, which I hate, so its also
availability.”—girl, age 14
“I think the reason I don’t read is
because I never run into a book
good enough to keep my
attention.” –boy, age 14
Who Are Reluctant Readers?
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Literate nonreaders
Illiterate
literates
Nonreaders
Aliterates
From Beers, Kylene. “Choosing Not to Read: Understanding Why Some Middle Schoolers Just Say No.” Into
Focus: Understanding and Creating Middle School Readers ed. Kylene Beers and Barbara G. Samuels.
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Avid: “I like reading and I always will.” Enjoy reading and
like being identified as readers. Plan to read in the future.
Dormant: “I’m too busy right now.” Like to read but don’t
make time for it. Have positive attitudes toward reading.
Will read for pleasure when they have the opportunity.
Uncommitted: “I might be a reader, someday.” Believe
reading is boring because they only see it as a skill. Don’t
care for it much but could grow to like it.
Unmotivated: “I’m never going to like reading.” Actively
dislike reading and express negative attitudes about
people who read.
Unskilled: “I can’t read.” Does not identify as a reader
and defines reading as “figuring out words.”
Why They Aren’t Reading
1. Associate
with failure
Why They Aren’t Reading
2. Time
and
energy
Why They Aren’t Reading
3.
Negative
peer
pressure
Why They Aren’t Reading
Not
stimulated
by ideas /
not
practical
4.
Why They Aren’t Reading
5. No
encouragement
Why They Aren’t Reading
6. Not a
priority /
rather do
that read
Why They Aren’t Reading
7. Some adolescents
may consider reading
solitary and antisocial.
Why They Aren’t Reading
8. Can’t
find the
good
books
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
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Cover - catchy,
action-oriented,
attractive,
appealing, good
"blurb"
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
Print style sufficiently large
for enjoyable
reading
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
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Format - appropriate
and appealing
balance of text and
white space
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
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Artwork/illustrations
- enticing, realistic,
demonstrated
diversity
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
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Clear writing without
long convoluted
sentences of
sophisticated
vocabulary
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers
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Acceptable literary
quality and
effectiveness of
presentation
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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High interest "hook"
in first 10 pages
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Well-defined
characters and not
too many of them
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Sufficient plot to
sustain interest
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Plot lines developed
through dialog and
action rather than
descriptive text
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Familiar themes
with emotional
appeal for teenagers
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Believable
treatment (that does
not preclude
speculative fiction
however)
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Single point of
view / not too many
characters
Qualities of Books for
Reluctant Readers: Fiction
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Touches of humor
when appropriate
Turnaround titles
The Turn Around Books
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“I don’t think there is one turn-around book. That
reduces a love to reading to a silver bullet—or in this
case a magic book. Reluctant readers come to
reading reluctantly. For a while they’ll be book-at-atime readers---readers who will read the book we put
into their hand but they won’t seek out the next good
book on their own. Gradually, with support and
encouragement, they’ll move toward a stance that
says, “This reading thing is good—good enough that
I’ll seek a book out on my own.” Maybe that’s the
turn-around-book—the book that the kid on his own
finds that he enjoys” - Dr. K. Beers (via email)
Turnaround titles
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Anderson, Laurie Halse.
Speak
Ashanti.
Foolish/Unfoolish
Banks, Russell. Rule of
the Bone (M)
Brunvand, Jan Harold.
Big Book of Urban
Legends
Turnaround titles
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Burgess, Melvin. Doing It
(M)
Card, Orson Scott. Ender’s
Game
Chbosky, Stephen. Perks
Of Being A Wallflower
(M)
Cisneros, Sandra. House On
Mango Street
Turnaround titles
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Curtis, Christopher Paul.
The Watsons Go To
Birmingham—1963
Drooker, Eric. Blood
Song
Flake, Sharon. Skin
I’m In
Flake, Sharon. Who
Am I Without Him
Turnaround titles
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Flinn, Alex. Breathing
Underwater
Foley, Mick. Have A
Nice Day (M)
Gantos, Jack. Hole In
My Life
Giles, Gail. Playing in
Traffic
Turnaround titles
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Giles, Gail.
Shattering Glass
Glenn, Mel. Class
Dismissed
Going, K. L. Fat Kid
Rules The World
Korman, Gordon. Son
Of The Mob
Turnaround titles
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Groening, Matt.
Simpsons Comics
(any)
Hinton, S.E. Outsiders
Holmes, Shannon. Be
More Careful (M)
Johnson, Angela. First
Part Last
Turnaround titles
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Keys, Alice. Tears For
Water
Lubar, David. Hidden
Talents
McCall, Nathan. Makes
Me Wanna Holler
McDonald, Janet.
Spellbound
Turnaround titles
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Mowry, Jess. Way Past Cool
Myers , Walter Dean.
Monster
Nixon, Joan Lowry. Whispers
From The Dead
Paolini, Christopher. Eragon
Turnaround titles
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Paulsen, Gary. Harris
and Me
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet
Pelzer, David. Child
Called It
Porter, Connie Rose.
Imani All Mine
Turnaround titles
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Rodriquez, Louis. Always
Running (M)
Rowling, J.K. Harry
Potter (any)
Sachar, Louis. Holes
Shakur, Sanyika.
Monster: The
Autobiography of an
L.A. Gang Member ( M)
Turnaround titles
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Shakur, Tupac.
Rose That Grew
from Concrete
Shan, Darren.
Cirque Du Freak
series
Sleator, William.
Interstellar Pig
Smith, Jeff. Bone
Turnaround titles
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Souljah, Sister. Coldest
Winter Ever (M)
Sparks, Beatrice. Go Ask
Alice
Stine, R.L. Dangerous
Girls
Strasser, Todd. Give A
Boy A Gun
Turnaround titles
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Tillage, Leon Walter.
Leon’s Story
Trueman, Terry. Stuck
In Neutral
Tyree, Omar. Flyy Girl
(M)
Vibe magazine staff.
Tupac.
Turnaround titles
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Werlin, Nancy. Killer’s
Cousin
Williams, Stanley
“Tookie”. Life In Prison
Woodson, Jacqueline.
Miracles Boys
Woods, Teri. Dutch (M)
A core collection for
reluctant readers:
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)

Books –
series
fiction
.
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)

Books –
adult
fiction.
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Books –
children’s
books
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Books –
nonfiction
illustration
heavy
books
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Books –
nonfiction
informational
books in
series
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Books –
nonfiction
pop goes
the culture
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Books –
graphic
novels.
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WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Books collected
comics.
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WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Books –
Manga.
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WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Books –
poetry

WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Magazines
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Newspapers:
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Tabloids:
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Comic
Books
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Comic Books
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Catalogs:
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
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Text on a
computer
WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
Audio
books:

WHAT will reluctant readers read?
(Twenty four carets)
DVDs /
movies
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Group exercise
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Choose one of the reluctant
reader “carets” and develop a
strategy on how to partner with
teachers to use the format/genre
with students
Remember: small group work is
about process NOT product
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
1.
2.
3.
4.
A library card:
Booklists:
Booktalking :
Build
relationships:
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
7.
Celebrate Teen Read Week:
Contests:
Displays:
8.
Follow-up:
5.
6.
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
9.
10.
11.
12.
Freedom and
choice:
Get input:
Get out of the
library:
Get over
yourself:
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
13.
14.
15.
16.
Get them in the
building :
Go the shelves:
High visibility
merchandising:
Honesty:
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
17.
18.
19.
20.
Keep current :
Listen:
Non-judgmental
attitude:
Reader's advisory:
25 things to do to reach
reluctant readers tomorrow
Samples:
22. Wave goodbye to
just fiction
23. Weed the
collection:
24. Zowie! Get
graphic
21.
Final thoughts
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Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Amanda
Subject: Hi ‘‘ I loved your book’’’
To: Patrick@connectingya.com
My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished
reading your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring
thing that I have read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading
but, this book just captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never
finished a whole book, but this one I read it in two days flat!!! I have
never read a book that related so well to teens today. You were so real
when you wrote this book........’’’ I was shocked to find that this was
your first book dedicated to teens!!! I only wish that you write more!!!
The girl Johanna was so strong it only made feel good about my self!!! I
could relate to every single thing in the book....... and it can only show
to others that real things can happen to real people!!!’’’’ And you told it
like it was in the book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now my
favorite author!!! And I HOPE that you write many more teen books
because I can guarantee you I will the first to get one!!!
For your
consideration-
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
Things
Change
(Walker and
Company,
April 2004)
nailed
by
Patrick Jones
(April 2006)
Walker Books for Young Readers
http://www.walkeryoungreaders.com/
Chasing
Tail
Lights
by
Patrick Jones
For More Information
A Core Collection for
Young Adults
Patrick Jones, Patricia
Taylor, and Kirsten
Edwards
Neal-Schuman, 2003
For more information:

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
Connecting Young
Adults and Libraries: A
How-To-Do-It Manual,
Third Edition
By Patrick Jones, Michele
Gorman, and Tricia
Suellentrop
Neal-Schuman, July
2004
1-55570-508-1. 8 1/2 x 11 .
A core collection for reluctant
readers: a tool box
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Beers, Kylene. When
Kids Can’t Read;
What Teachers Can
Do: A Guide for
Teachers 6-12.
Heinemann, 2003.
A great resource on
methods of teaching
reading to middle and
high school students
who lack the ability to
read successfully.
A core collection for reluctant
readers: a tool box
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Bodart, Joni Richards.
The World’s Best Thin
Books: What to Read
When your Book
Report is Due
Tomorrow. Scarecrow
Press, 2000
A great guide to the best
books for young adults –
all are under 200 pages.
A core collection for reluctant
readers: a tool box
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Reynolds, Marilyn. I Won’t
Read and You Can’t Make
Me: Reaching Reluctant
Teen Readers. Heinemann,
2004.
A current author for teens
and a former teacher shares
her motivation and strategies
for reaching reluctant teen
readers, including success
stories from her past
students and questions from
readers
A core collection for reluctant
readers: a tool box
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Sullivan, Michael.
Connecting Boys
With Books: What
Libraries Can Do.
American Library
Association, 2003.
Strategies and
materials for
connecting boys with
reading and libraries.
A core collection for reluctant
readers: a tool box
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Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
website. www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists
Includes a variety of booklists, including Quick
Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Best
Books for Young Adults and others.
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
Consulting, training, and
coaching for providing
powerful youth services
including library card
campaigns and web projects
 patrick@connectingYA.com
