Online Article: "Requirements for Healthy Development of Adolescent Youth"

This article discusses the fact that all young adults are different. Just as the answers to my reading survey varied, so does each young adult's reading taste. That is why I feel it is imperative to have a variety of books in a media center to appeal to every reader. If students can't find books that they want to read, they will not read at all. A diverse collection is essential for a successful media program.

 "Man influences and is influenced by a variety of complex systems and subsystems. He acts and is acted upon. Throughout his life he has the capacity to grow, to change, to modify his behavior in accordance with his values. Value formation within the individual is a continuing process, partly emotional, partly intellectual. It is born out of interaction between the individual and the systems that touch him." I agree with this statement from the article. We are constantly changing and learning. We discover what is of importance to us and those beliefs and values change as we age. As educators we have a tremendous responsibility to foster learning; we have the greatest job in the world...to make a difference in a child's life.

Young Adult Reading Preferences

I found that the students I interviewed liked novels and informational books. I found the favorite books category to be as different as the students. A few students chose some classics like Gone With the Wind, 1984, and Anthem. Other students chose The Lord of the Rings and The Hunger Games. Favorite authors included: J. K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Jane Austin, Erin Hunter, and Libba Bray. All students answered that they read on the internet. Some read for news; others read for entertainment or information.

Who Are Young Adults?

Young adults are defined as ages 16-24. All young adults have their own preferences when it comes to reading books. The best way to know your young adults is to watch what they are reading and discuss the books they read to get their opinion. I do this often in my library; when a student returns a book, I ask if they enjoyed it or not. I also have a student request book list where students can write down titles that they would like to see in our library.

Kevin Henkes: Illustrator

Kevin Henkes is the author of a series of mouse books which includes the characters Lilly, Chester, Chrysanthemum, Owen, Sheila Rae, Wendell, Sophie, and Wemberly. He always remembers wanting to be an artist, and he became an illustrator at age nineteen. I thought it was funny that he still lived at home with his parents, and he worked from his bedroom...HAHA! I also found it interesting that he writes the book first, and then illustrates. I am looking forward to reading more of his books and learning more about him this week!!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

I absolutely loved this book! The book's message was so positive. I like books that encourage children to dream and conveys the message that everyone will find love and their place in the world. The illustrations communicated the loneliness of Hugo, but that the same time, were a fabulous addition to the book. I would love to see the author write another book with color illustrations. I don't have this book in my library, but it is now on my purchase list!!!