1. Things Keep Changing: Patrick Jones Look for power point @ www.connectingya.com www.connectingya.com Contact me for author visit in 2006 @ nailed2006@yahoo.com nailed2006@yahoo.com

2. hard questions/ no easy answers What are trends in books for teens, in particular realistic YA lit? What are the hard questions from the viewpoint of teens, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors? What do we want? What do non-readers want? What will turn non-readers around? What will both readers and non-readers like? What are some best titles in 2005?

3. hard questions/ no easy answers What are trends in books for teens? Sex: Substances: Sity Life Over Seas Style Shock values Social themes Satisfying teens

4. hard questions/ no easy answers Sex: Substances: Sity Life Style Shock values Social themes Satisfying teens

5. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Cover - catchy, action-oriented, attractive, appealing, good "blurb"

6. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Print style - sufficiently large for enjoyable reading

7. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers Clear writing without long convoluted sentences of sophisticated vocabulary (Bluford High from Townsend Press)

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

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

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

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

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

13. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Familiar themes with emotional appeal for teenagers

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

15. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Single point of view / not too many characters

16. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Touches of humor when appropriate

17. Qualities of Books for Reluctant Readers: Fiction Told in chronological order – not too many flashbacks