Reaching Reluctant Readers in the School Library

Jami Jo Williams

Can read Chooses not to read Struggling Readers vs. Reluctant Readers

What is a reluctant reader?

Dormant Enjoys reading Will not make time to read

Uncommitted No positive regard for reading See themselves becoming good readers

Unmotivated No positive regard for reading Negative feelings towards readers Cannot see themselves becoming readers

Types of Reluctant Readers

The A+ Student The Athlete The Popular The Outsider The Average Joe/Jane The ELL or ESL student The incarcerated The low level reader

Other Reluctant Reader Classifications

Many reasons Non-reading role models at home Busy, active students Reading equals failure Reading is boring when compared to the media of

today Self-Absorption (books have nothing for me or

about me) The constant pressure to be reading Reading perceived as a solitary activity

Why are reluctant readers reluctant?

Many Ways to attempt to reach reluctant readers Technology Graphic Novels Nonfiction Programs Connecting Reluctant Readers to Books

Strategies

Be Accepting/Nonjudgmental Be Passionate Be Honest Remember--All reading is reading Surround students with books that meet

their interests Discuss reading with students

Tips

Embrace technology Computers E-Books Audio Books

The use of and information about technology

Technology

Dynamic mixture of text and art Must comprehend both Include the same literary components Visual appeal Can be used as a bridge

Graphic Novels

Interest-based Nonlinear Favorite of teens Often visual Often unpredictable

Difference between elementary and high school Acceptable vs. not acceptable

Nonfiction

Connecting the right book to the right student at the right time

One good experience leads to another Many Elements

Library Environment Reader Advising Selecting books

Connecting Reluctant Readers to Books

Library Specific Many options

Book Clubs Students, teachers, parents, community, etc.

Integrating Art and Literature Booktalks

Fiction and nonfiction Read-Alouds

Students of all ages

Programs

Consisted of 12 questions IU6 Librarians

Elementary High School

Asked: What strategies are or are not used? How are strategies applied? Why strategies are or are not used?

Survey

Which of the following strategies to reach reluctant readers do you use in your library? Please check all that apply.

__ E-Books __Projects/Assignments designed to inspire

reading__Audio Books __Readers’ Advisories__Graphic Novels __The Use of Nonfiction__Programs __Read Alouds__Integrating art into literature __Reading Groups/Book Clubs

Which of the strategies to reach reluctant readers that you checked work most effectively for you?

Survey Questions-Example

12 responses 34% return rate All 12 were full time librarians

Elementary-4 Middle-3 High School-4 Other-1

1 Librarian said that reluctant readers are a non-issue

Survey Results

Survey Results-ContinuedStrategy Number of

librarians who use the strategy

Percentage of Librarians who use the strategy

E-Books 2 16%

Projects/Assignments 7 58%

Audio Books 6 50%

Readers’ Advisories 2 16%

Graphic Novels 12 100%

The use of Nonfiction 10 83%

Programs 5 41%

Read-Alouds 5 41%

Integrating art into literature

0 0%

Reading Groups/Book Clubs

1 8%

Do not use

Only one strategy was not used by anyone Integrating Art into Literature

Survey Results-Continued

Reasons for not using a strategy

Number of librarians

Percentage of librarians

Time 3 33%

Budget 1 11%

Both 3 33%

Other 2 22%

Librarians do work with reluctant readers Strategies depend on school and students

Knowing your students is most important

Conclusions

Brehm-Heeger, P., Creel, S., & etc. (2009). Quick and popular reads for teens. P. S. Holley, (Ed.). Chicago: American Library Association

Bromann, J. (2001). Booktalking that works. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. Chan, J. T. (1985). The promise of computers for reluctant readers. School Library Journal, 32(3), 120.

Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Cole, S. (2010). Booktalking around the world: Great global reads for ages 9-14. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries

Unlimited. Crawford, P. (February 2004). A Novel Approach: Using Graphic Novels to Attract Reluctant Readers and

Promote Literacy. Library Media Connection v. 22 no. 5 p. 26-8 Dickey, J., & Jones, P. (1994). Finding a good book: Skills and tools for helping students. Book Report, 13(1),

15. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Plucker, J. (2010). Baiting the reading hook. Educational Leadership, 68(2), 58-63. Retrieved from

EBSCOhost. Reed, A.J. (1988). Comics to classics: A parent’s guide to books for teens and preteens. Newark, Delaware:

International Reading Association Reid, R. (2009). Reid’s read alouds: Selections for children and teens. Chicago: American Library Association. Rowley, D., & Mattingley, L. (2009). A reading fix - better than chocolate?. English in Aotearoa, (67), 28-32.

Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Sullivan, E. T. (2002). Reaching reluctant young adult readers: A handbook for teachers and librarians.

Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press. Watson, J. & Stencel, J. (2005). Reaching reluctant readers with nonfiction. Young Adult Library Services, 4(1),

8-11. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Young, R. (2007). Graphically Speaking: The Importance of Graphic Books in a School Library Collection.

Library Media Connection, 25(4), 26-28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

References

Questions