So how does this relate to luring middle schoolers to read? I still remember middle school being the most difficult time of youth because of low self esteem, hormone havoc, and exposure to real life heartache for the first time. I connect imprisoned reading needs to those in middle school because of reading reluctance and need for processing and understanding emotional pain. In fact, reading lists for detention centers and prisons have perfect suggestions for the reluctant reader. Below are some examples:
*** advisory note: the large part of the books on these lists are YA titles and may contain content or language not appropriate for some middle school readers. ***
Really Awesome List of Reading Categories
Juvenile Justice Center YA Novel Suggestions
List with Three Reading Levels
Outstanding Goodreads List
Nicely done! I never would have linked that together but the comparison is spot on. You should develop that into a paper for a conference - get some bell hooks up in that.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. During my stint in the School of Wizardry (library media specialist MEd) I really explored my obsession with "Street Lit," it's origins, and especially the growing market and selections for teens and tweens. The start of this genre some mark by the author 'Iceberg Slim' and his novels that are popular in prisons. I think that connection led me in the direction of reading in detention centers and jails. I always thought if I wrote a thesis this would be tha subject matter.
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to read Iceberg Slim ever since I heard Ice-T talking about him and what an influence he was on his life. I think - but don't quote me - that he even said that's how he got the name "Ice" because he could quote passages from his book.
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