Teens Choosing to Read: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Growth Through Books

Ivey and Johnston's book "The Reading Lives of Adolescents" offers good news about the impact of reading on young people, highlighting the transformation that occurs when teachers allow students to select their own books and provide time for reading. The study found that students who had previously negative relationships with reading became enthusiastic readers, performing better on state tests and transforming their personal, relational, emotional, and moral lives. The book provides insights into students' deep engagement with literature and offers research to inform arguments about what students should and should not read.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

In a realm filled with distressing accounts of education, teaching, reading, and the well-being of adolescents, Ivey and Johnston offer a ray of hope by showcasing the remarkable outcomes that arise when we cease to underestimate the potential of young individuals. This accessible book presents an engaging account of a four-year study that followed adolescents who, initially reluctant readers, transformed into enthusiastic readers. These youth reported that reading not only aided in stress management but also played a pivotal role in fostering happier and more meaningful lives. This extraordinary transformation occurred through a simple yet effective approach: teachers allowed students to choose their own books, encouraged them to read without any imposed restrictions, and provided dedicated time for reading. Almost all the students, who had previously had a negative association with reading, embarked on a voracious reading journey both within and outside of school. Their academic performance improved significantly, as evidenced by higher state test scores. Moreover, their personal, relational, emotional, and moral lives underwent a profound transformation as a result of their newfound love for reading. This enlightening book takes readers on a captivating journey through the reading lives of adolescents, providing a long-overdue analysis of their profound engagement with literature. Furthermore, the text incorporates research to support arguments regarding what students should and should not read, as well as the consequences of limiting their access to books that pique their interest through censorship.

Book Features:

• Explores the link between young adults' reading engagement and socio-emotional and intellectual development.
• Provides nuanced descriptions of teaching practices that promote student agency in learning.
• Features student voices that have been overlooked in discussions about appropriate reading material for young people and the circumstances under which they should read.
• Connects student perspectives on reading with the positive outcomes associated with reading, drawing upon research from various disciplines.
• Illuminates the vastness and richness of adolescents' reading experiences, shedding light on their diverse interests and motivations.

Dimension: 235 x 162 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807768693