2. Things Change Evolution and Revolution in YA Fiction

3. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Cover - catchy, action-oriented, attractive, appealing, good "blurb"

4. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Print style - sufficiently large for enjoyable reading

5. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Format - appropriate and appealing balance of text and white space

6. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Artwork/illustrations - enticing, realistic, demonstrated diversity

7. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Clear writing without long convoluted sentences of sophisticated vocabulary

8. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Acceptable literary quality and effectiveness of presentation

9. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction High interest "hook" in first 10 pages

10. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Well-defined characters and not too many of them

11. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Sufficient plot to sustain interest

12. www.connectingya.com When you write, do you think about the potential book's appeal to non-readers? R.L. Stine: Almost all of my books are designed for reluctant readers. When I wrote and edited educational magazines, I learned how to write for different reading levels. I try to keep my scary books at a 4th-grade reading and vocabulary level. In addition-- short books, fast-paced, lots of surprises and twists, cliff-hanger chapter endings to force them to go on to the next chapter, and plot-driven books with little description to slow down the action.

13. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Plot lines developed through dialog and action rather than descriptive text

14. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Familiar themes with emotional appeal for teenagers

15. www.connectingya.com Young adults like fiction that: 1. Show YAs being independent from adults. 2. Reassure YAs they are "normal". 3. Present role models. 4. Demonstrate problem solving in action. 5. Allow to feel like winners/overcoming odds. 6. Display relationships of all sorts. 7. Capture intensity and uncertainty of their life. 8. Help develop of socially responsible behavior 9. Explore lives of other teenagers..

16. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Believable treatment (that does not preclude speculative fiction however)

17. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Single point of view / not too many characters

18. www.connectingya.com Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Touches of humor when appropriate

19. www.connectingya.com Final thoughts Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT) From: "Amanda Subject: Hi I loved your book To: Patrick@connectingya.com My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished reading your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring thing that I have read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading but, this book just captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never finished a whole book, but this one I read it in two days flat!!! I have never read a book that related so well to teens today. You were so real when you wrote this book........ I was shocked to find that this was your first book dedicated to teens!!! I only wish that you write more!!! The girl Johanna was so strong it only made feel good about my self!!! I could relate to every single thing in the book....... and it can only show to others that real things can happen to real people!!! And you told it like it was in the book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now my favorite author!!! And I HOPE that you write many more teen books because I can guarantee you I will the first to get one!!!

20. www.connectingya.com Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-8901-3 Price: $16.95 224 pages April 2004 Paperback ISBN: 0-8027-7746-5 ISBN 13: 978-0- 8027-7746-1 Price: $7.95 224 pages April 2006

21. www.connectingya.com nailed Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6 ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5 Price: $16.95 224 pages Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 April 2006

22. www.connectingya.com Chasing Tail Lights Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1 ISBN 13: 978-0- 8027-9628-8 Price: $16.95 304 pages August 2007

23. www.connectingya.com Cheated Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-9699-0 Price: $16.95 208 pages Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 April 2008

24. www.connectingya.com Stolen Car / October 2008 Danielle is drawn to Reid, the quintessential bad boy. Even though she should learn from her mothers poor taste in men, she gets caught in Reids lifestyle. Danielle turns a blind eye to his lies, and is soon in way over her head. But her BFF Ashley is determined not to let Danielle become the road kill on Reids joy ride through life. Once she forces Dani to see through Reids deception, they take off on a revenge-injected road trip that starts with a stolen car and ends with some harsh truths.

25. www.connectingya.com Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www.connectingya.com Consulting, training, and coaching for providing powerful youth services including library card campaigns and web projects patrick@connectingYA.com