2. Patrick Jones www.connectingya.com

3. Getting started School Library Journal November 2001 “ Why We Are Kids Best Assets” One in your face: “I hate to read” – what does it mean, why did he say it, and what you can do about it One fact: “Reading ability is positively correlated with the extent to which students read recreationally.” -National Center for Education Statistics. One story from JDCJDC One book from your life

4. www.connectingya.com Reading for pleasure is the most effective tool for improving literacy. Stephen Krashen, author of The Power of Reading

5. www.connectingya.com Why They Aren’t Reading Can’t find the good books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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.

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

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

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

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

18. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 1. A library card: 2. Booklists: 3. Booktalking / book clubs : 4. Build relationships:

19. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 5. Celebrate Teen Read Week: 6. Contests: 7. Displays: 8. Follow-up :

20. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 9. Get authors 10. Get input: 11. Get out of the library: 12. Get over yourself:

21. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 13. Get them in the building : 14. Go the shelves: 15. High visibility merchandising: 16. Honesty:

22. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 17. Keep current : 18. Listen: 19. Non-judgmental attitude: 20. Reader's advisory:

23. www.connectingya.com 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow 21. Samples: 22. Wave goodbye to just fiction 23. Weed the collection: 24. Zowie! Get graphic

24. 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!!!

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. www.connectingya.com Stolen Car / October 2008 Danielle is drawn to Reid, the quintessential “bad boy.” Even though she should learn from her mother’s poor taste in men, she gets caught in Reid’s 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 Reid’s joy ride through life. Once she forces Dani to see through Reid’s deception, they take off on a revenge-injected road trip that starts with a stolen car and ends with some harsh truths.

30. www.connectingya.com The Tear Collector Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra depends on human sorrow to live. Any time a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, she's there. Only Cass has grown tired of living a lie and wants to live like a human, especially now that she's found someone worth fighting for

31. 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