Patrick Jones connectingya

1. Patrick Jones www.connectingya.com

2. 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 JDC • One book from your life www.connectingya.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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. www.connectingya.com

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

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

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

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

17. 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow • A library card: • Booklists: • Booktalking / book clubs : • Build relationships: www.connectingya.com

18. 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow • Celebrate Teen Read Week: • Contests: • Displays: • Follow-up: www.connectingya.com

19. 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow • Get authors • Get input: • Get out of the library: • Get over yourself: www.connectingya.com

20. 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow • Get them in the building : • Go the shelves: • High visibility merchandising: • Honesty: www.connectingya.com

21. 25 things to do to reach reluctant readers tomorrow • Keep current : • Listen: • Non-judgmental attitude: • Reader's advisory: www.connectingya.com

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

23. 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!!! www.connectingya.com

24. HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-8901-3Price: $16.95224 pagesApril 2004PaperbackISBN: 0-8027-7746-5ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-7746-1Price: $7.95224 pagesApril 2006 www.connectingya.com

25. nailed HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-8077-6ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5Price: $16.95224 pagesSize: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4April 2006 www.connectingya.com

26. Chasing Tail Lights HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-9628-1ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-9628-8Price: $16.95304 pagesAugust 2007 www.connectingya.com

27. Cheated HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-9699-0Price: $16.95208 pagesSize: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4April 2008 www.connectingya.com

28. 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. www.connectingya.com

29. 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 www.connectingya.com

30. Consulting, training, and coaching for providing powerful youth services including library card campaigns and web projects patrick@connectingYA.com Connecting Young Adults and LibrariesPatrick Joneshttp://www.connectingya.com www.connectingya.com