Reading Engagement for Tweens and Teens: What Would Make Them Read More?

by Margaret K. Merga

While most reading research focuses on young children, this book looks at how to support reading beyond the early years and into adulthood. Reporting on strong, peer-reviewed research supported by sound theoretical and methodological approaches, it emphasizes the practical implications of these findings, sharing what this means for you in terms of how you can be a powerful positive reading model and influence in young people's lives.



Enriched with the voices of today's young people, the book includes quotes that allow readers to decide how to support reading engagement for tweens and teens based on what would make them read more, as expressed in their own words. Engaging and readable, it will be of interest to school and public librarians and can be shared with teachers, parents, and other literacy instructors and advocates.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Adult, Education

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2018

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Merga is a legend in the field of reading research with young adolescents. She is an absolutely amazing researcher, with whom I would love to work one day...
I would love for her to come out to SA and do some literacy work with YA 's in South Africa..
Less of the dreams and more of the book...
Filled to the brim with recent, current research on many different facets of YA reading, and amazing practical tips written in an accessible and easy to read style, this book is a 'go to book' for any Teacher of literacy/ reading, or a Librarian desperate to get the YA's back to reading books.
As a mum, teacher and librarian, I feel this book is a must have and would go well on the professinal development shelf in a school library too!

[Gabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mum's research has LITERALLY changed my life (: I can very readily say that what this book entails is gold, and is a must read, whether it be for researchers, schools and librarians, or parents who need to get their children to read!

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who are familiar with Dr Merga will know she is passionate about school libraries so it should come as no surprise that the strategies suggested in this book will position the library as a whole-school resource to promote reading. Suffice to say, if you work with tweens or teens, this book is invaluable.
Drawing on Merga’s recent research and other studies, together with the results of interviews with young people themselves, the evidence-based best practices will provide those working in school libraries with a plethora of ideas and inspiration. The book covers such topics as: the benefits of recreational reading; why readers read and how this can shape our role; why students stop reading for pleasure; the current status of books and reading amongst young people; the gender performance gap and how to address it; the importance of parental influences; aspects of e-reading; what would make young people read more; reading for pleasure verses reading for testing and more. With suggestions for further reading, this is simply a must-read for anyone working in or with a school library or involved with encouraging children to read.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Merga. identifies evidence-based and easy-to-implement strategies for encouraging young people to read; tips for positioning the school library as an indispensable resource for supporting reading; and how parents and adults can model and encourage sustained reading in their kids. I love Merga’s authenticity, passion and cut-through. This book is chock-full of research-based evidence, insights and strategies, and I hope it reaches many, many school principals, parents and educators.

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much food for thought. Loved that it was supported by recent research findings. I will definitely come back for closer reading of some sections- supporting parents to promote reading in their homes, making the most of sustained silent reading (DEAR - drop everything and read at my school), the social aspect of reading and book selection- to name a few.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent review of the current research on reading engagement for children and teens, and outlines exactly what needs to happen to get kids reading more. I found myself nodding in agreement a lot! Highly recommended reading for all school librarians, management, and educators.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summary of research about reading and why it is important.