Teens Choosing to Read: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Growth Through Books

by Gay Ivey, Peter Johnston

In a sea of troubling reports about education, teaching, reading, and the well-being of teens, Ivey and Johnston bring some good news that shows what happens when we stop underestimating young people. This accessible book offers an engaging account of a 4-year study of adolescents who went from reluctant to enthusiastic readers. These youth reported that reading not only helped them manage their stress, but also helped them negotiate happier, more meaningful lives. This amazing transformation occurred when their teachers simply allowed them to select their own books, invited them to read with no strings attached, and provided time for them to do so. These students, nearly all of whom reported a previously negative relationship with reading, began to read voraciously inside and outside of school; performed better on state tests; and transformed their personal, relational, emotional, and moral lives in the process. This illuminating book leads readers on a tour of adolescents’ reading lives in their own words, offering a long-overdue analysis of students’ deep engagement with literature. The text also includes research to inform arguments about what students should and should not read and the consequences of censoring books that interest them. Book

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching

208 pages, Hardcover

Published November 24, 2023

Reviews

[Merissa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more strategies the chapters kept saying more in chapter __. There were not many shared I felt like you had to do a lot of reading between the lines to get the straggles

[Kathy Kysar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivey and Johnston are a pair of researchers/professors focused on teen literacy. The results of their 4-year study of over 300 8th-10th graders showed that reading helps youth manage stress and lead happier, more meaningful lives. However, the real kicker here is that their teachers allowed them to select their own books from collections that included all of the latest bestsellers, sometimes referred to as “disturbing” books. These are the books that make up banned books’ lists across the country, even in our own MatSu Borough. Filled with actual quotes from the students, Teens Choosing to Read presents an informed argument about what students should and should not read and the consequences of censoring books that interest them. No matter which side of the fence you are on regarding this topic, READ THIS BOOK. Educate yourself with facts and hear from real live teens!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the topics in Teens Choosing To Read: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Growth Through Books, by Gay Ivey and Peter Johnson. I will admit to reading this professional resource quickly; however, I was able to gather some wonderful rationale for teachers allowing students to self-select their own reading material, versus a selection between one or two novels as a whole class study.
Middle school language arts teachers are able to teach reading strategies, critical reading skills, and they are able to assess reading comprehension when students self-select their reading materials. The students will be more interested in their book of choice, and the teacher can provide time for reading and discussion during class time. The extension of the discussion period can lead to a better connection between the teacher and his/her/their students, and among the students as well. The students may have a better understanding about one another, and life, by talking together about their novels.
Fast forward to high school, and the same readers who felt that they really enjoyed reading, sometimes for the first time in their lives, had a change of heart. Now in high school, there are more structured reading opportunities, as in everyone will read Steinbecks' Of Mice and Men. Also, there are more demands for reading, writing, and studying for all of the subject areas, so reading for pleasure is truly by choice. There are more real-world distractions for high school students. The reader, and authors, wonder, "How can we keep that enthusiasm and energy toward reading going?"
The authors include a list of Young Adult Books and Other Books Mentioned in Appendix B, and many resources as the foundation for their work, which I find both helpful and professional. They emphasize that students learn about the world around them, including more real-world situations, by reading about them. Reading about a main character who makes poor choices and gets involved with using or abusing substances can provide insight into the negativity of bad choice-making and its consequences. When we restrict what is available to young adult readers, we are metaphorically shutting the windows, closing the blinds, and putting blinders on the young adult reader.
On the flip side, librarians and educators know how important it is to be mindful of the age, stage, and range of readers within the school's population with regard to collection development. This can really prevent issues that can fester, as there is an implicit trust in the educational system to make beneficial choices for quality literature for all students.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary read for educators who have a focus on reading with teens. This book, published in 2023 after studying 8th - 10th graders over several years take a lot of their words from interviews during the study to share and analyze how teens grow through reading but recognizing the limitations as they get older to keep them engaged.

Plenty of quotes that I've pulled to revisit and a few that I'm going to be sending to a few admins to change their minds regarding how they're viewing reading. I also know several teachers would would also feel seen in their work with teens and reading.

As a librarian and a professor for YA literature, I wanted to dive into this one for additional insight.

[Jeff Mattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The in-depth longitudinal study of extensive free choice reading in an 8th grade ELA classroom really shows the power of engaging with books and each other to make sense of self and story. With extensive citations of research support, this book provides the basis for scaling up such a practice across grade levels to support teen engagement with long-form reading through grade 12.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive with numerous anecdotal evidence to show the significance and importance of encouraging teens to read books that they relate to. The majority of this book's contents could be abridged to the length of one or two chapters with extended appendixes for the interview portions.

[Michelle Picard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is changing how I will teach reading. I'm going to implement these ideas into my classroom. I have highlighted, annotated, and made note cards to help guide my lesson planning.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was asked to read this for a meeting that I’m attending. It has interesting insights on how to help young adults be more fully engaged in their reading. It had some good takeaways.

[Akira · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Will review later :)