Classic Connections

Learn how to attract, motivate, and inspire teens to read and appreciate great classic literature. A practical guide, packed with ideas, techniques, and booklists.

Getting teens to read, much less enjoy classic literary fiction is an on-going challenge for educators and librarians. However, Holly Koelling—author, YA librarian, and booktalker extraordinaire-offers a variety of techniques for rising to that challenge and successfully selecting, presenting, and connecting teens with great literature in the library and in school. This book defines classics and discusses why they are important, then provides a step-by-step process for finding the hooks that attract teens, educating yourself about classic literature, and motivating and inspiring readers. This is an upbeat, information-packed guide that anyone working with teen readers will refer to again and again.

Readers' advisory techniques employing the genre approach, appeal features, and other lures are discussed along with a variety of programs and promotions that will help teens more deeply appreciate the classics they read—from booktalks, booklists, and displays to readers' theatre, teen book clubs, and reviews. Brimming with anecdotes and practical examples, Classic Connections also includes an extensive bibliography of classics for teens and professional resources. This is an upbeat, information-packed guide, and if you work with teen readers, you'll refer to it again and again. When you're through, you might just have the teens fighting over these important works!