Titles for Tweens: Part III

Titles for Tweens: Part III

or

Where to Go Next

After all the learning, reviewing, and questioning, a title is finally found. The tween enjoys it and he or she wants to read more. Now is the time for the guardian to shine. Before recommending a new book, though, do the following:

Ask Questions

Many people (rightly) assume their tween will read books similar to ones the readers already enjoy. However, make sure you know what the tweens actually like. The obvious answer is not always the correct one. For example, with the rising popularity of Harry Potter, many assumed tweens want more fantasy titles. Many do. However, many also wanted titles with peer interaction, school drama, and extraordinary events in everyday life. A lot of readers also enjoyed the style of Rowling's novels, which manages to be detailed, but quick-paced. The best way to identify the favored aspects is to ask questions, such as: "What was your favorite part?", "What was the worst part of the book?", "Was there a character you liked?", and "What part would you change?".

Ask me anything

After you ask your questions, follow up with the next important step:

listen

Listen!

LISTEN!!!

...for both the answers and the implied answers. Some tweens tend to be subtle, but they will respond if they feel their answers mean something.

After you have a better idea of what your tween enjoys, enlist the professionals. Ask you local children's librarian for recommendations, but let them know the details. Instead of merely stating your tween likes adventure stories, let the librarian know they like adventure stories with boys and dogs in colonial America. Offering titles your tweens already enjoy can also help. Some libraries also allow their patrons to access their genre lists or Novelist, a paid database that recommends titles based on reading level, topics, and genre. Additional help can provide titles, but make sure you know what you are looking for first.

Finding titles for tweens is entirely possible, but it requires active use of time, consideration, and interest for success.

Titles for Tweens: Part II

Titles for Tweens: Part II

or 

How to Get Started 

After successfully stopping bad searching habits, it is time to develop some good searching habits. The following help me:

Read Reviews: Professional reviewers may offer some of the best information for an overwhelmed guardian searching for suitable books for tweens. Typically, I do not use publisher reviews, to avoid bias. Some useful professional reviews are in The Horn Book and The School Library Journal. Many libraries also present book lists of recommended titles based on grade levels, offering free advice for searchers.

 Enlighten me, oh Knowledgeable One!

Ask What Your Tweens Like: Do not merely question what kind of book they want to read. Ask what they are interested in. Make note of what they do in their free time. Review the style of titles they already enjoy. Books can offer a means of discovering more about things tweens care about, so discover what matters to the reader.

 I'm listening...

Do Not Get Discouraged: For every week I review, I usually have one to four unused titles. Sometimes, a book, despite glowing reviews, solid writing, and insane popularity, simply does not suit a specific reader. It happens. It is okay. Learn from the results, but keep trying.

 Don't get hung up on failure

Once you and your tween find a title, you can build 

Titles for Tweens: Part I

Titles for Tweens: Part I

or

What to Unlearn

Everyone goes into a book search with pre-existing expectations, biases, and beliefs. Most of these are useful. They allow searchers to focus on specific topics and reading levels while keeping seekers from spending too much time on unsuitable items. Unfortunately, some undesirable lessons come over time. It is time to stop the following:

Defaulting to Classics: When choosing a book for tweens, many will simply throw a classic novel at the reader. While classics are usually classical for a reason, not all of the titles age well. Some, like Mary Poppins suffer from undeserved glorification, while others, such as The Story of Doctor Dolittle are wildly unsuitable for modern sensibilities. Furthermore, simply choosing a book simply because it is a "classic" is lazy. The statement is harsh, but true. Telling tweens to enjoy a title because "they are supposed to" ignores the individuality and preferences of the readers. Please do not misunderstand the guide, classics have their place, particularly scholastically. However, trying to force "good literature" on someone during a vacation or leisure time seldom inspires interest in reading.

 Dolittle...why...

Defaulting to Books You Liked as a Tween: Again, this is lazy choosing. Also again, this is a sharp but true statement. Grabbing a book you liked without considering the preferences and interests of a specific tween will not result in success. For example, a relative (who shall remain nameless) once gave one of my parents (who shall also remain nameless) a copy of the Bobbsey Twins. Anyone who knows this particular parent would understand his or her reluctance to read it, since they favor non-fiction, action-oriented plots with quick dialog. Also, much like classics, some series, such as Nancy Drew, do not age particularly well.

 Ask yourself "Will this make sense to someone who as never known life without the Internet, CDs, or cell phones?"

Dismissing Nontraditional Media: Magazines, newspapers, and newsletters often find themselves ignored by guardians of tweens. However, many tweens find the items easier and more enjoyable to read. In many cases, nontraditional items can form a "soft entry" to more complex topics. For example, fashion magazines can encourage readers to take interest in current trends, photography, clothing, and media. Also, some items maintain a degree of relevance traditional items cannot reach. Nature and technology magazines, for example, often offer more current information than traditional media.

 Let us explore together!

Assuming Any Written Item is Good for Your Tween: Tweens form a very special reader group. They have the curiosity of elementary students with the comprehension of high school students. However, not every item in the two groups is necessarily suitable for a tween. The readers may not be ready, mentally or intellectually, for high school topics. Similarly, items for very young readers cannot suit a tween's desire for stimulating reading. Review items carefully before recommending them.

 All of these items have ratings, similar to movie ratings, on their covers. Know what they mean!

Overall, most selection problems stem from seeking the easiest means of fulfilling an obligation. Simply approving or disapproving a given title on pre-concieved ideals without considering the interests of a tween will not result in a happy reader.

With the undesirable seeking methods addressed, good seeking habits can now develop.

Titles for Tweens: Intro

Summer is truly underway. After the initial celebrations, many parents, teachers, mentors, and guardians will use the vacation time to encourage their tweens to read. Yet, the task is often overwhelming.

I don't know where to start!

The next few posts will offer some guidance for selecting titles for tweens. Careful readers may also get hints on how I find titles for the blog. 

Let us begin.