Young Adult Articles

Teen Angst: My Burden Is So Deep:  Enduring EMO

The first article I chose was from the School Library Journal.  This was a great piece on how teens often experience the emotional roller coaster of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity.  Usually uncertainty and difficult circumstances lead to these emotional feelings.  One student expressed her feelings through library graffiti:  "I can never confess this out loud.  My burden is so deep.  He doesn't even know...he doesn't even care..." There were many great books listed to provide empathy to young adults.  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was listed as one of the best novels to help young adults cope with feelings of angst.  As adults, it is important to be aware of this type of teen behavior in order to provide intervention and guidance for these teens.


Meeting Readers Where They Are:  Mapping the intersection of research and practice

The School Library Journal did a wonderful job bringing my focus on engaging students in reading through choice, access, and social interaction.  Reward systems traditionally used to motivate students to read may not be as effective as it once was in the past.  Incorporating the social aspects of reading is very motivational for students.  Voice Thread, reading blogs, and podcasts are few ways to provide students with the social aspects of reading.  Social Networking tools, which are often blocked in many schools, can be useful in bringing students together.  Students who have access to reading materials are more likely to read.  Students who have time for recreational reading are more likely to show greater academic gains than those who do not.  Students who are given choices in what they want to read are more motivated to read.  I must remember that teens like being online...whether blogging, Facebook, or reading a book. They love social interaction and it is very motivating to them.