...an invaluable resource for appropriate titles as well as for advice about defending them against challenges.
—California English, Winter 1999
...helpful to teachers involved in book selection and would provide some encouragement for teachers to risk trying potentially controversial texts.This well-organized book would be most useful to practicing teachers, teachers-in-training...
—Choice, June 2000
This volume emphasizes the importance of teaching young adult literature in middle and high schools and offers guidance for dealing with the resulting challenges that may arise.
—School Library Journal, July 2000
Rationales for Teaching Young Adult Literature addresses two related concerns. Teachers and students today are eager for quality literature to replace or supplement traditional fare. Yet finding appropriate modern reading materials can be a time-consuming chore. Furthermore, the very content that makes a work interesting and germane to adolescents will frequently open it to attack by parents or others in the community.
While no one book can be expected to provide complete solutions to these problems, Rationales for Teaching Young Adult Literature is an invaluable resource for finding appropriate books and, when necessary, defending them against challenges. Twenty-five educators recommend proven novels, nonfiction works, and short story collections that adolescents enjoy. Contributors provide synopses, sample excerpts, and brief author biographies, along with activities and objectives for teaching the works. Also provided are ways to deal with potential challenges.
Comments from teenagers supplement many of the rationales. Selection guides categorize titles by theme and by age level. Finally, each rationale offers alternative and related titles. This is truly a book for everyone involved in the teaching of young adult literature.
