Radical Reads 2: Working with the Newest Edgy Titles for Teens [Paperback]

Joni Richards Bodart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2009

In Radical Reads, Joni Richards Bodart identified 101 young adult books that featured gritty, complex plots, focused on multidimensional characters, and tackled such difficult subjects as teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, gangs, prejudice, violence, drugs, or other provocative issues. Teen readers were drawn to such books because they could identify with both the characters and the situations depicted in these raw and edgy works of fiction.

In Radical Reads 2: Working with the Newest Edgy Titles for Teens, Bodart continues where the first book left off, examining more than a hundred titles published since the previous edition. The books featured here are engaging and tough, yet well written and accessible to readers. For each novel, Bodart lists the main characters, major themes and subject areas, and offers a brief summary. Along with providing book report ideas, she cites the strengths of each work, excerpts important reviews, and lists any awards the book has received. Indexed by author, title, subject, curriculum area, reading level, interest level, and genre, Radical Reads 2 is an indispensable tool for librarians, teachers, and parents alike, and will appeal especially to teens looking for relevant and topical fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

In this update to Radical Reads (Scarecrow, 2002), Bodart gives an in-depth look at the latest controversial literature for teens. More than 100 new titles are profiled, offering detailed information, including sections on risks and strengths, major themes and ideas, brief character descriptions, booktalks and book-report ideas, reviews, awards, and more. The index consists of a comprehensive list of titles, broken down by reading/interest levels, genre, subject, and curriculum areas. Along with an updated bibliography, Bodart's original appendixes on censorship issues, including Web sites and other sources for resisting censorship, and the importance of writing defense rationales are also included. The clear and concise format makes it easy to navigate quickly to the information or title needed. The most valuable section in this update, however, is the new introduction that explains the importance of controversial YA literature to teens and why they must have access to it. This is a must-read for anyone serving teens, including teachers.—Kelley Siegrist, Farmington Community Library, MI
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Bodart, assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, has produced a sequel to Radical Reads: 101 YA Novels on the Edge (2002). The new work includes 101 books published between the years 2000 and 2009. Like its predecessor, Radical Reads 2 is designed for librarians, teachers, and teen readers. The book's format remains the same, beginning with tips on book reports for students, tips on booktalks for librarians and teachers, a guide to abbreviations for reading and grade levels, and an introduction, “The Value of Controversial YA Literature.” This material is followed by entries for novels. Each entry contains bibliographic information, lists of subject areas and characters, a sample booktalk, major themes and ideas, book report ideas, booktalk ideas, risks (that is, controversial themes), strengths, awards (if any), and review excerpts. Following the entries are four appendixes and five indexes that are designed to support using radical reads in the classroom and finding the right book to meet reader and curriculum needs. A valuable resource for all middle-school and high-school libraries as well as academic libraries serving teacher-training programs. --Cynthia Crosser

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Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (November 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081086908X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810869080
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,260,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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