things change evolution and revolution in ya fiction

Things Change

Evolution and Revolution in YA Fiction

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Cover - catchy, action-oriented, attractive, appealing, good "blurb"

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Print style - sufficiently large

for enjoyable reading

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Format - appropriate and appealing balance of text and white space

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Artwork/illustrations - enticing, realistic, demonstrated diversity

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Clear writing without long convoluted sentences of sophisticated vocabulary

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

Acceptable literary quality and effectiveness of presentation

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction High interest

"hook" in first 10 pages

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Well-defined

characters and not too many of them

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Sufficient plot to

sustain interest

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 When you write, do you think about the potential book's appeal to non-

readers? 

R.L. Stine: Almost all of my books are designed for reluctant readers. When I wrote and edited educational magazines, I learned how to write for different reading levels. I try to keep my scary books at a 4th-grade reading and vocabulary level. In addition-- short books, fast-paced, lots of surprises and twists, cliff-hanger chapter endings to force them to go on to the next chapter, and plot-driven books with little description to slow down the action.

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Plot lines

developed through dialog and action rather than descriptive text

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Familiar themes

with emotional appeal for teenagers

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Young adults like fiction that:

1. Show YAs being independent from adults. 2. Reassure YAs they are "normal". 3. Present role models. 4. Demonstrate problem solving in action. 5. Allow to feel like winners/overcoming

odds. 6. Display relationships of all sorts. 7. Capture intensity and uncertainty of

their life. 8. Help develop of socially responsible

behavior 9. Explore lives of other teenagers. .

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Believable

treatment (that does not preclude speculative fiction however)

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Single point of

view / not too many characters

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Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Touches of

humor when appropriate

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Final thoughts

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!!!

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HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-8901-3Price: $16.95224 pagesApril 2004

PaperbackISBN: 0-8027-7746-5ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-7746-1Price: $7.95224 pagesApril 2006

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nailednailed Hardcover

ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5

Price: $16.95224 pages

Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4April 2006

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Chasing Chasing Tail Tail

LightsLights Hardcover

ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1ISBN 13: 978-0-

8027-9628-8Price: $16.95

304 pagesAugust 2007

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CheatedCheated Hardcover

ISBN: 0-8027-9699-0

Price: $16.95208 pages

Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4April 2008

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Stolen Car / October 2008

Danielle is drawn to Reid, the quintessential “bad boy.” Even though she should learn from her mother’s poor taste in men, she gets caught in Reid’s lifestyle. Danielle turns a blind eye to his lies, and is soon in way over her head. But her BFF Ashley is determined not to let Danielle become the road kill on Reid’s joy ride through life. Once she forces Dani to see through Reid’s deception, they take off on a revenge-injected road trip that starts with a stolen car and ends with some harsh truths.

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Connecting Young Adults and LibrariesConnecting Young Adults and LibrariesPatrick JonesPatrick Jones

http://www.connectingya.chttp://www.connectingya.comom

Consulting, training, and coaching for providing powerful youth services including library card campaigns and web projects

patrick@connectingYA.com