Classic Connections: Turning Teens on to Great Literature

Getting teenage readers to read, let alone enjoy, classic literary fiction continues to challenge educators and librarians. But it doesn’t have to. Offering a variety of techniques, Holly Koelling shows how to successfully select, present, promote, and otherwise connect teenagers with great literature in the library and in the school. After defining classics and discussing why this is such an important endeavour, the author sets out a step-by-step process of educating the teacher or librarian about classic literature, finding the hooks that attract teenagers, and motivating and inspiring readers. Readers’ advisory techniques that employ the genre approach, appeal features, and other lures are discussed, along with a variety of programmes and promotions that will help teenagers more deeply appreciate the classics they read - from booktalks, booklists, and displays to readers’ theatre, teen book clubs, and reviews. Brimming with anecdotes, practical examples, and booklists, this book also includes an extensive bibliography of classics for teenagers and professional resources. This is an upbeat, information-packed guide, and anyone who works with teenage readers, will refer to it again and again.