Becoming a better writer begins with reading well-written books and trying what their authors do successfully. So why not help middle schoolers improve their writing by exposing them to mentor texts written just for them? Culham, Blasingame, and Coutu have selected 150 fiction and nonfiction books by master writers, annotated them, and organized them by trait. Each annotation explains what the book is about and why it's a good model. Twenty ready-to-use, literature-based lessons are also included. For use with Grades 6-8.

The number one book in the field, Literature for Today's Young Adults, helps teachers learn how to motivate teenagers to become life-long readers and now features the voices of two new co-authors and ten of the authors' Ph.D. students in a thorough update of critical topics and ideas. A comprehensive, reader-friendly introduction to young adult literature, this book provides a look at YA literature framed within a literary, historical, and social context. Using this guide, teachers see how to evaluate books of all genres, from poetry and nonfiction to fantasies, drama, the supernatural, adventure, sports, mysteries, science fiction, graphic novels, and more. Long respected as the leading textbook in university English departments, colleges of education, and schools of library science, this new edition is even more accessible than its predecessors and includes a number of updated topics of interest to a variety of audiences: teachers of English, reading, social studies, and ESL; as well as librarians, parents, counselors, and other group leaders. The challenges of using Young Adult literature with English Language Learners is explored, while one full chapter deals with Digital and Other New Literacies for Teachers and Librarians (new Ch. 3), and the final chapter (12) focuses on the increasingly important topic of censorship.

Inspired by a vivid dream, Stephenie Meyer, a stay-at-home mom, wrote a manuscript that started a worldwide sensation that has yet to abate. In 2005 her debut novel, Twilight, crashed onto the shore of teen literature like a literary tsunami. Four books later, she had become the top-selling author in the world. When the final book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, was released in 2008, more than a million copies were sold on the first day alone. The popular culture phenomenon of Stephenie Meyer and her writing is much more than the sum total of her weeks on the bestseller list, however. Stephenie Meyer: In the Twilight looks at the life and work of this author, beginning with her childhood and covering her teen years and life before stardom. This volume also profiles Meyer's world since becoming a cultural icon. In addition to discussing Meyer's writing style, the chapters also explore each of her books, with a final chapter focusing on her presence in social media and public events. As young and old continue to devour her every word, this volume puts into perspective the work and impact that Meyer has around the world. Stephenie Meyer: In the Twilight will be of interest to teachers and librarians, as well as to middle and high school students-not to mention adults-who are interested in learning more about their favorite author.

In a very short time, John Green has become an icon of young adult literature. His first novel, Looking for Alaska (2005) won the Michael Prinz award, Paper Towns (2008) received an Edgar Allan Poe award, and in 2014, Time magazine named him one its 100 Most Influential People. The Fault in Our Stars reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and the film adaptation was a worldwide hit. John Green: Teen Whisperer looks at the work of a versatile author whose works have fast become must-reads for teens and adults alike. After providing a biographical sketch of the author, subsequent chapters focus on different "types" of Green's writing: radio broadcasts, blogs, vlogs, YouTube videos, and, of course, his novels, including An Abundance of Katherines (2006) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (2010). This volume concludes with an interview of Green and a unique final chapter that considers not only the young adult view of his work, but an adult perspective as well. Based on extensive research, this book captures the diverse elements of Green and his work: predictable, but surprising; stable, yet enigmatic; aloof, but deeply caring; hip, but homespun; irreverent, but deeply spiritual. Exploring why his writing reaches both teens and adults, John Green: Teen Whisperer will be of interest to librarians, scholars, and the author's many fans.

Long respected as the number one book in the field, Literature for Today's Young Adults gives teachers, librarians, parents, counselors, and other group leaders-as well as instructors and students in college courses in Adolescent/Young Adult Literature-a comprehensive look at YA literature framed within a literary, historical, and social context as a means to motivating teens to become life-long readers. Included is helpful information on evaluating YA books of all genres, using YA literature effectively with English Language Learners, incorporating digital and other new literacies into classroom teaching, and dealing with today's increasingly diverse and challenging censorship issues.