Professional Reading

By Staff -- School Library Journal, 1/1/2007

CART, Michael & Christine A. Jenkins. The Heart Has Its Reasons: Young Adult Literature with Gay/Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969–2004. 207p. (Scarecrow Studies in Young Adult Literature Series). charts. appendix. bibliog. chron. index. notes. CIP. Scarecrow. 2006. Tr $42. ISBN 0-8108-5071-0. LC 2005031320.

This terrific and long-overdue resource chronicles the development of GLBTQ-themed young adult literature over time and intersperses critical commentary with annotated bibliographies of related fiction. Cart and Jenkins use a three-part framework to describe the historical changes in content and the depiction of gays and lesbians in terms of what they call "homosexual visibility," "gay assimilation," and "queer consciousness/community." The authors take a historical approach and examine GLBTQ-themed young adult literature decade by decade, discussing pivotal works in detail, and conclude each chapter with an annotated bibliography and a list of notes or works cited. Well organized and easy to read, Heart is a valuable, semi-scholarly reference for both collection development and research.—Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston

A companion to Carl M. Tomlinson'sChildren's Books from Other Countries (1998) and Susan Stan's The World through Children's Books (2002, both Scarecrow). It opens with several thoughtful essays that examine the complex issues related to international publishing and translations. Jeffrey Garret's wish for readers is "…patience, coupled with a willingness to temporarily suspend our American notions of what is 'normal' and rational and attractive." Part two is a carefully prepared, comprehensive, annotated bibliography organized by countries and regions of the world. There is little duplication of titles from the first two volumes. Part three is a lengthy compilation of resources, including book awards, organizations that support international publishing, publishers with an international focus, and sources for foreign language and bilingual books. Detailed title, subject, and author/translator/illustrator indexes make the books accessible, which is important because, as Stephen Roxburgh writes: "…they offer a way of seeing that is otherwise unavailable to most of us." This is an important resource for all libraries to build and promote collections that reflect a global vision.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Well written and well researched, this practical hands-on guide to defining and wooing reluctant readers is a must-read for librarians and teachers who work with adolescents. It is divided into three parts: "Tips That Work," "Titles That Work," and "Tools That Work." Reluctant readers are identified and interviewed as to why they do not want to read, and techniques are suggested for guiding them through required reading. Books that will engage nonreaders are listed by category, such as science fiction and fantasy, graphic novels, audiobooks, biography, and changing bodies. Among the many helpful lists are "Best Forty Magazines for Reluctant Readers" and "Turnaround Titles-Fifty-Seven Varieties of Great Reading Experiences." And there is a wonderful chapter on booktalking. A 12-question reading survey will enable librarians to ask their students about their reading interests and to provide feedback when planning programs or purchasing new materials.—Kathleen A. Nester, Downingtown High Ninth Grade Center, PA

Believing that there is no such thing as a "typical" teenager, Ott has gathered together less-than-conventional program ideas arranged by month. She provides clear instructions, lists of supplemental materials, promotional ideas, reading lists, costs, and suggested grade levels for each one. For librarians with limited budgets, and who may be pressed for time, there are quick and easy ideas that cost little or no money. Where relevant, references to books and online sources are given. Many of the programs are designed to draw underserved populations, such as goths, GLBTQ teens, and vegetarians, into the library. Appendixes include supplemental materials such as charts and puzzles. This highly informative guide would make a great addition to any YA librarian's professional collection.—Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Tallman and Joyce's first edition (1997) concentrated on training middle and secondary students to employ I-Search, a research and writing process that challenges learners to have a "stake in the topic" of study. What's new with this edition is the generalization of the process to expand application to learners of all ages, abilities, and personalities across the curriculum; what is unchanged is the assumption that learning is more intimate when students pursue inquiries within their scope of interest. In addition to a revised restatement of the I-Search process, this new volume offers feedback and changes based on reactions from teachers who followed the original. It uses the very evolution of the process and of instructional technologies to engender fresh application of I-Search, and it responds to national standards conceived since the first publication. An accompanying CD-ROM contains downloadable files of all of the figures and charts from the manual that include outlines, handouts, worksheets, and sample student projects. The flexibility of this edition is particularly welcome, as it suggests how to apply the I-Search process to any area of education.—Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH

The Edwardian playwright and novelist first introduced the character Peter Pan in a novel for adults, The Little White Bird (1902). Two years later, his wildly successful play, Peter Pan, opened in London, and in 1911 he published a novelized version of the play, Peter and Wendy. Over the past 100 years, Barrie's creation, which grew out of the stories he told two young brothers, has taken on a life of its own. Besides inspiring animated and live-action films, musical theater, and a best-selling prequel, the story has been a major influence on a century of children's writers. The 15 scholarly articles in this collection chart that influence and place Peter Pan in historical context, examining the story from the modern viewpoints of feminism, post-colonial studies, and popular culture. The valuable, well-organized introduction outlines the development of English pantomime, a tradition unfamiliar to many modern American scholars, showing clearly how the play Peter Pan is firmly rooted in this tradition. Academic libraries that support the scholarly study of children's and Edwardian literature will want this multifaceted study of the immortal boy who never grew up.—Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams