Things Keep Changing:

Patrick Jones• Look for power point @

www.connectingya.com

• Contact me for author visit in 2006 @ nailed2006@yahoo.com

hard questions/ no easy answers

• What are trends in books for teens, in particular realistic YA lit?

• What are the hard questions from the viewpoint of teens, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors?

• What do we want?• What do non-readers want?• What will turn non-readers around?• What will both readers and non-readers

like?• What are some best titles in 2005?

hard questions/ no easy answers

What are trends in books for teens?• Sex: • Substances:• Sity Life• Over Seas• Style• Shock values• Social themes• Satisfying teens

hard questions/ no easy answers

• Sex:

• Substances:

• Sity Life

• Style

• Shock values

• Social themes

• Satisfying teens

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

• 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

• Clear writing without long convoluted sentences of sophisticated vocabulary

• (Bluford High from Townsend Press)

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers

• Acceptable literary quality and effectiveness of presentation

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• High interest "hook" in first 10 pages

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Well-defined characters and not too many of them

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Sufficient plot to sustain interest

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Plot lines developed through dialog and action rather than descriptive text

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Familiar themes with emotional appeal for teenagers

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Believable treatment (that does not preclude speculative fiction however)

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Single point of view / not too many characters

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Touches of humor when appropriate

Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction

• Told in chronological order – not too many flashbacks