Description
Book SynopsisReading is an essential life skill not only for an individual's development and life chances but for social cohesion and a developed democracy. This book focuses on the importance of reading for pleasure and the difference that it can make to a person’s life chances, with a focus upon how libraries and librarians help reluctant and struggling readers: those who might fall through the net or be left behind. Reading by Right provides an edited collection of chapters covering aspects of overcoming reading difficulties or reading reluctance in children and young people from birth right through to teenage. The book examines the research into problems with the acquisition of reading and highlights some of the best practise to be found internationally, both as a practical aid but also to inspire partnership and cooperation.
Content covered includes:
- an outline of the political and strategic framework that library and education practitioners face in trying to overcome the barriers to reading
- a review of the past several decades of research in this area
- how youngsters become ‘reluctant readers’ and how to improve the situation for everyone
- examples of successful projects from Korea and Finland, countries that consistently perform well in reading tests and international league tables
- a wealth of practical context, including case studies and perspectives from school and public libraries
- an overview of the ongoing relevance of debates and discussion around diversity in publishing and children’s books, including some potential solutions.
The book will be invaluable reading for practitioners and students of librarianship in both the public and school sectors. It will also be of great interest to all teachers, consultants and educators concerned with literacy and reading, and to policy makers in both the school and library sectors.
Trade ReviewThis book is a great read (no pun intended!), but it is far more than that. This is an essential toolkit for anyone working with children’s reading. Alongside the research there are many practical ideas for parents, librarians and teachers to take reading forward. Carrying this book around is the equivalent of having a vast library of information at your fingertips, curated by some of the finest librarians and experts. Personally I consider the index a thing of great beauty and the references and appendices are a wonderful resource on their own.
-- Dawn Finch * Awfully Big Reviews *
This book would best be utilized by library systems but could also be useful to an enterprising and creative individual librarian.
-- Cheryl Clark * VOYA *
Reading by Right provides the reader with many excellent examples of how to engage with children and young people in developing their reading skills. The key elements include allowing children to have ownership of their reading material. No material is inappropriate. Allow them to read picture books, graphic novels, educational graphic novels, non-fiction, audiobooks, etc. Allow them to play instead of reading if they prefer. Develop games that incorporate the books you’d like them to be reading. Support them in developing their own reading habits. Encourage reading for pleasure. The book provides an excellent bibliography throughout and also websites for further study on this topic. I am inspired to see how much of what I have learnt from this book I can bring to my library service.
* An Leabharlann *
Thoughtful and inspiring essays address the importance of reaching all readers, strategies for encouraging reluctant readers, and reasons why some children become reluctant readers...This reading is “right” and highly recommended.
-- Renee McGrath * School Library Journal *
'Most of us utilise reading every day of our lives, for our work, as part of study/education, for enjoyment and when seeking information. Very few of us dissect how we got to be able to do that. The beauty of this book is that it gets us to reflect on the ‘how’, and the challenges faced by those children who may not be able to acquire that skill as a matter of course, but who may need interventions to ensure that they develop competence, and equally importantly, an enjoyment of reading as they proceed through life.'- Josipa Crnic, Deakin University, Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
* Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association *
'Most of us utilise reading every day of our lives, for our work, as part of study/education, for enjoyment and when seeking information. Very few of us dissect how we got to be able to do that. The beauty of this book is that it gets us to reflect on the ‘how’, and the challenges faced by those children who may not be able to acquire that skill as a matter of course, but who may need interventions to ensure that they develop competence, and equally importantly, an enjoyment of reading as they proceed through life.'- Josipa Crnic, Deakin University, Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
* Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association *
'Ensuring that every child is given the best chance in life to become a lifelong reader is the central tenet of editor Joy Court's excellent book. A collection of 11 chapters, the foundation of which stand firm on well-informed theory and practice, Reading by Right provides us with a range of successful strategies for engaging and enthusing readers across the globe who need support, motivation or the right book to guide them towards the path of becoming someone who reads for pleasure.'
-- Matthew Tobin * Literacy *
Table of ContentsForeword – Chris Riddell
Introduction – Joy Court
1. Supporting every child to read – Alexandra Strick and Wendy Cooling
2. Listening to their voices: what research tells us about readers – Teri S. Lesesne
3. Becoming a reluctant reader – Prue Goodwin
4. Reading Club: a case study from Finland – Mervi Heikkilä and Sara Tuisku
5. Trained reading helpers: Beanstalk’s magic ingredient – Ginny Lunn and Hilary Mason
6. Let all children experience the joy of reading: promoting children’s reading in Korea – Yeojoo Lim
7. Reflecting readers: ensuring that no one is excluded – Jake Hope
8. Pulling in reluctant readers: strategies for school librarians – Alison Brumwell
9. Not just for the avid reader: inclusive Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shadowing – Amy McKay and Joy Court
10. Listen up! How audiobooks support literacy – Rose Brock
11. Reading the future – Jake Hope
