Cool Books For Relectant Readers

Jackson Creek Middle School

In middle school, everything is about looking and being cool. Students have a need to fit in and to have fun, and they do not want to be associated with anything that will make them look dumb or that will draw negative attention to them. In their world, the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t work. A book that looks stupid or EASY will single the student out and that is not cool. Struggling students often prefer to look cool by not reading rather than risk being unable to read a book. Library media specialists and classroom teachers play an important role in connecting students with the right books.

Who are the struggling readers? Are they the students who come in to the library and spend most of their time walking past the books? Are they the students who only come to the library when the class comes or when their teachers specifically send them to get reading material? Struggling readers have been categorized in many ways, but usually as either reluctant readers or remedial readers. In her article, “Helping Remedial and Reluctant Readers,” Janice West-Christy (Teaching Today, 2005), characterized reluctant readers as frustrated by text they find difficult and to which they cannot effectively apply reading strategies. Remedial readers were seen as having a limited vocabulary and few internalized strategic reading skills. Usually reluctant readers will read if the material interests them whereas remedial readers need help reading and understanding information at their grade level.

There are many books available today that may appeal to reluctant readers. Having plenty of “high interest and low readability” books available to students is the most important way to reach those who struggle. The Middle Grades Reading Network High Interest/ Low Readability Books <http://mgrn.evansville.edu/5fall2005.htm> and ALA Quick Pick lists <www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks> are great sources for books that will appeal to reluctant readers. Included in the list are titles such as Hostage by Willo Davis Roberts, Forged by Fire by Sharon Draper, or Drive-By by Lynne Ewing. They are just a few of the books that have caught students between the covers and held them until the end of the story.

Even though struggling students often like thin books, more are attracted to an enticing title. If the story starts with a jolt and keeps going, reluctant readers are more inclined to finish the book. For example, in Escape from Fire Mountain by Gary Paulsen, Nikki encounters problems from the beginning of the book with poachers and a distress call. Action and adventure keep the reader glued to the book

Author displays, book reviews, or brief book descriptions are also great ways to guide students to high action cool books. Book displays help to make the books visible, but the best way to get students interested in cool titles is through book talks. Books on display may or may not attract any readers, but add a book talk about Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac, Square Root of Murder by Paul Zindel, or Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, and there are not enough books to go around. Scheduling language arts classes, reading classes, and special education classes to listen to book talks and then giving them quiet time to read exposes them to the titles and encourages them to read. Also, booktalks during a book club gathering is a great way to hook students on some of the great titles that will appeal not only to struggling readers but to avid readers as well. Students tend to check out a book if it is literally put in their hands. If a student is roaming around not looking for anything in particular, mini book talks to that individual about some cool titles will help direct him or her to the right book.

How does the media specialist or reading teacher make books look cool to students? There are various ways. As everyone knows, not every strategy will work with every student, but it is important to keep in mind that there is a book (or many books) out there that will capture and hold the attention of the student. The fun is finding the right

cool book for the right cool student, including the struggling student.