Genreflecting Advisory Series – serie

Librarians who work with readers will find this well-loved guide to be a treasure trove of information. With descriptive annotations of thousands of genre titles mapped by genre and subgenre, this is the readers' advisor's go-to reference.Next to author, genre is the characteristic that readers use most to select reading material and the most trustworthy consideration for finding books readers will enjoy. With its detailed classification and pithy descriptions of titles, this book gives users valuable insights into what makes genre fiction appeal to readers. It is an invaluable aid for helping readers find books that they will enjoy reading.Providing a handy roadmap to popular genre literature, this guide helps librarians answer the perennial and often confounding question "What can I read next?" Herald and Stavole-Carter briefly describe thousands of popular fiction titles, classifying them into standard genres such as science fiction, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and mystery. Within each genre, titles are broken down into more specific subgenres and themes. Detailed author, title, and subject indexes provide further access.As in previous editions, the focus of the guide is on recent releases and perennial reader favorites. In addition to covering new titles, this edition focuses more narrowly on the core genres and includes basic readers' advisory principles and techniques.

Teen Genreflecting serves as a guide to contemporary teen fiction, encompassing every genre and format, including graphic novels, scrapbook-formatted books, verse novels, historical fiction, speculative fiction, contemporary realistic fiction, and more.Teen literature is one of the most popular and quickly growing segments of the publishing world. Not only are teens continuing to read for pleasure, but many adults have discovered the joys of teen literature. As part of the Genreflecting Advisory Series, Teen Genreflecting provides librarians with a road map to the vibrant and diverse body of literature focusing on recent fiction for teens, organizing and describing some 1,300 titles, most published within the past ten years, along with perennial classics. The authors indicate where each title fits in the genre scheme; its subject matter, format, and general reading level; and any pertinent awards. They also provide advice on readers' advisory services to teens, descriptions of genres and subgenres, and lists of favorites for each genre. As with previous editions, this guide will prove invaluable to librarians building their teen collections and will help them assist teens in finding the books they love, no matter what genre.

Find good books for young readers the easy way by using this guide. Designed for educators and students, it arranges titles by genre and theme so users can find books similar to the ones they love. Chapters include contemporary life, fantasy, animals, historical fiction, and mystery. Within these categories books are arranged under such topics as family relations, friends and friendship, schools, ethnic groups, and problem novels. Focusing on books published after 1990, popular paperback series, and the not-to-be-forgotten classics, the authors have selected titles noted for quality. A brief historical background of each genre is given, and useful Web sites on children's fiction are listed. Great for collection development, this book is a helpful tool for answering the question, What else can I read? A must-buy for any children's book collection.

The rich and complex genre of fantasy fiction appeals to readers of all ages. Designed for readers' advisors and collection development specialists in public, school, and college libraries, this in-depth guide expands upon the material on fantasy fiction offered in Genreflecting. Herald offers a historical and structural overview of the genre, describes 15 subgenres and a score of variations within them, and lists the best and most current reads available in the fantasy arena. Descriptive entries contain information about pertinent review resources, bibliographies, criticism, awards, and organizations. An author/title and subject index help provide easy access to specific titles and authors and an appendix lists recommended fantasy titles for young adults. A must for readers' advisors and collection development specialists, this book will also be valuable to writers, researchers, bookstore owners, and dedicated fans of fantasy fiction.

This unique book describes and organizes nearly 2,500 mystery titles. Divided into sections-amateur, public, and private detective-titles are then categorized as traditional classic, eccentric, lone wolf, and so on. Niebuhr even notes whether each detective is of the hardboiled, softboiled (cozy), or traditional type. Author, title, subject, character, and location indexes offer further access. With more than 2,500 titles and more than 200 authors, this book provides an excellent understanding of the genre. An indispensable resource for librarians and mystery fans.If you've been searching for a comprehensive readers' advisory guide for mystery and detective fiction, look no further. With more than 2,500 titles and more than 200 authors, this book will provide you with an excellent overview and a thorough understanding of the genre, from topics of interest, a history of mystery fiction, and subgenres, to hints for advising readers, and a discussion of collection development and preservation techniques. Even with no prior knowledge about the genre, with this guide you will find it easy to answer questions raised by readers. And if you're an avid reader of mystery and detective fiction, you will love this book as you explore titles and gain an even deeper insight into the genre. Books can be searched by author, title, character, subject, and location. An indispensable resource for library professionals, educators, and mystery fans!

Navigate the fascinating world of mainstream fiction! With emphasis on award-winning fiction, this companion guide to Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1978-1998, features more than 500 novels published between 1990 and 2001. Using the same easy-access organization that made the original so popular, this book includes more than 400 new entries and several features that enable you to discover new reads and read-alikes based on an appeal-characteristics approach to the literature. Never again shy of an answer to Can you recommend a good book? you will find this to be an indispensable resource and tool.

This valuable reference work and readers' advisory tool lists, describes, and organizes, according to reading interests, contemporary picture books and easy readers that satisfy the interests of children ages three to eight.How can we help young children become successful adult readers? One powerful way to impact youth is to provide young readers and listeners with books that will pique their interest, setting them on the path to a life-long love of literature. Primary Genreflecting: A Guide to Picture Books and Easy Readers provides library specialists, parents, teachers, and caregivers with 2,500 picture books and easy readers, sorted into 12 chapters and numerous subcategories. The selections range from ABC books to bedtime stories and fairy tales, from animal stories to books that portray life around the world. While some classics are included, this book focuses on titles published in the past ten years to ensure their availability. Each listing includes complete bibliographic information as well as suggested grade levels.

Jewish American literature covers a broad range of genres and literary works. Some of the United States' most compelling literature centers on the American Jewish experience; some of the most acclaimed authors write from the heart of their experience as Jewish Americans. This ground-breaking work is intended to guide readers and those who advise readers in selecting fiction and nonfiction books that match specific reading interests. It is the first readers' advisory guide to Jewish American literature. Like other titles in the Genreflecting Advisory Series, the book organizes titles by genre—mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, stories of romance, and literary fiction. In addition, there are chapters on holocaust literature and on biography/autobiography. More than 700 titles are categorized and described. Each chapter is further organized by subgenre and theme. Award-winning titles are noted, as are books that appeal to young adult readers and titles appropriate for book clubs and reading discussions. In addition, the author presents guidelines for building and maintaining a collection of Jewish literature, tips for advising readers, and lists of further resources for exploring the genre; making this a thorough and practical resource. Young adult and adult - Grades 9 and up.

Unlike guides that take a simple geographic-chronological approach to listing historical fiction, this book takes a genre approach, with chapters devoted to historical romances, mysteries, adventures, etc. By grouping titles by subgenre and theme, and describing their features and plots, it guides users to similar titles and read-alikes. Focusing on English-language novels published since the mid '90s, plus the perennial favorites commonly available in libraries, it details 3,800 books set in times prior to the mid-20th century. Appendices contain lists of award-winning titles and targeted reading lists. Detailed indexes are available for authors, titles, subjects, time/place, and character names. An essential guide for readers' advisors and other professionals who guide readers in book selection, this book will also aid in collection development.Recent burgeoning reader interest in historical fiction has created a tremendous outpouring of historical novels from the publishing world. While there are several guides devoted to historical novels, they take a simple geographic-chronological approach, and do not organize titles in a way that effectively matches reading preferences. In contrast, this book takes a genre approach to historical fiction, with chapters devoted to historical romances, historical mysteries, historical adventures, and so forth. By grouping titles by subgenre and theme, and describing their features and plots, the book will guide users to similar titles and read-alikes. Focusing on English-language novels published since the mid '90s plus the perennial favorites commonly available in libraries, this book guides you and your patrons to more than 3,800 books set in times prior to the mid-20th century and in which historical events play an integral role. Chapters are organized according to subgenre and type, i.e., traditional, epics, romance, sagas, westerns, crime, adventure, thrillers, literary, inspirational, time-slip, alternate histories, and fantasy. Within chapters, Johnson further groups the titles according to sub-subgenres and time/place. In addition to bibliographic information and brief plot summaries, you'll find information on award winners, biographical novels, classics, and indications of titles appropriate for young adults and book groups. Appendixes contain lists of award-winning titles and targeted reading lists (e.g., historical fiction featuring Latinos). Further access to the titles is provided by detailed indexes for authors, titles, subjects, time/place, and character names. This guide will give you a deeper understanding of the historical fiction genre, update you on new titles, reacquaint you with classics, and help you easily identify read-alikes and book club selections for your patrons. It will also help you find fiction titles set in particular times and places to complement curriculum needs or meet specific areas of interest. An essential guide for readers' advisors and other professionals who guide readers in their book selections, this book will also aid collection development specialists and educators. Young adult and adult. Grades 10 and up.

Assist readers in their book selections with this guide, which covers titles spanning the entire spectrum of the Western genre—from such classics as those written by Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, and Max Brand to traditional novels by Elmer Kelton and contemporary novels of the West by Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, and Larry McMurtry. Mort describes and maps approximately 2000 titles, grouping them by subgenre and theme, and describing their features and plots. Also included are chapters on the history of the genre, six great authors of the genre, a Western timeline, information on resources and awards, and detailed indexes.Often overlooked or written off as a dying genre, the Western, in fact, holds great appeal for many readers today. While traditional Westerns have managed to retain a loyal cadre of fans, new followers have been drawn in by recent iterations of and new directions in the genre written by such authors as Larry McMurtry, Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, and Tabor Evans; as well as contemporary authors writing in the traditional vein, such as Elmer Kelton. Westerns are also thriving within the flourishing Christian fiction genre.This guide, intended to help you assist readers in their book (and film) selections, covers the entire spectrum of the Western, describing and mapping the genre—from classics that are still enjoyed by dedicated readers to more contemporary and literary novels of the West that feature the alluring themes of freedom, individualism, and moral regeneration set against the magnificent backdrop of the Western landscape. By grouping titles by subgenre and theme, and describing their features and plots, the book guides users to similar titles and read-alikes. Young adult and adult. Grades 10 and up.Mort takes a broad historical perspective, covering the Western from its origins in the 19th century to today. Selections represent the best and most popular titles as well as those commonly available in libraries. Chapters focus on past giants of the genre (Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, Max Brand) as well as on current subgenres and themes such as Christian Westerns, Sagas, Western Romance, Western Mysteries, Young Adult Westerns, Native Americans, and Mountain Men. Western films, so integral to the evolution of the genre, are annotated in a separate chapter. Approximately 2,000 titles are covered, about 250 of them films. Coverage of books is broad and thorough; coverage of films is selective. In addition, there are a brief history of the genre, a Western timeline, information on resources and awards, and author/title, subject and geographic indexes. This is the definitive resource on the Western genre, and an essential readers' advisory and reference tool.

Discover some of the great Canadian authors and titles you've been missing. This guide describes and organizes according to reading interests more than 500 of the best contemporary Canadian fiction titles available today.Canadian fiction offers a wealth of diverse pleasures to readers, from high-toned literary works to down-and-dirty genre fiction. However, apart from the big names and superstars, many of these authors are not well known outside of Canada. Designed to help readers' advisors in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries make informed reading recommendations to their patrons, this guide provides readers' advisors and readers with an overview of Canadian fiction, covering more than 650 popular titles—mainstream and genre fiction— most published within the past decade. The guide categorizes mainstream titles according to primary appeal features (language, character, setting, and story), and identifies the secondary appeal when there is one. Genre fiction, covered in a separate section, is organized according to standard genres (fantasy, romance, etc.), with subdivisions for subgenres and themes. For each title bibliographic information and a brief annotation is provided. Subjects are listed, along with awards, and an indication of whether the title is appropriate for book groups. A read on section with references to some 2,400 titles, leads you to titles with similar features. Indexes cover author/title and subject (including awards, genre, series character names). An appendix contains information on Canadian Book Awards. A readers' advisory guide and reference tool, this book is also an important aid for collection development.

Rediscover the classics—and help readers do the same! The Count of Monte Cristo is a rip-roaring adventure. Pride and Prejudice is an endearing romance. Howard Fast's April Morning is fascinating historical fiction and a moving war story. The list goes on. The trick is to find the right book for the reader. Frolund's guide can help. By identifying the genre characteristics of more than 400 classic fiction works, and organizing titles according to those features, it helps readers find the types of books they enjoy; and it helps you promote classics to teen (and adult!) readers. Includes information on hundreds of film and audio versions and other adaptations, a chronology, and a grade-level index. Grade 9 through adult.

A comprehensive guide that defines the literature and the outlines the best-selling genre of all time: romance fiction.More than 2,000 romances are published annually, making it difficult for fans and the librarians who advise them to keep pace with new titles, emerging authors, and constant evolution of this dynamic genre. Fortunately, romance expert and librarian Kristin Ramsdell provides a definitive guide to this fiction genre that serves as an indispensible resource for those interested in it—including fans searching for reading material—as well as for library staff, scholars, and romance writers themselves.This title updates the last edition of Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre, published in 1999.While the emphasis is on newer titles, many of the important older classics are retained, keeping the focus of the book on the entire genre, instead of only those titles published during the last decade. Specific changes include new chapters on linked and continuing romances, a new section on "Chick Lit" in the Contemporary Romance chapter, an expansion of coverage on the alternative reality subset. This is THE romance genre guide to have.

Here is a long-overdue genre guide to a previously ignored body of literature. The book aims to provide the reader and readers' advisor with an introduction to 20th-century gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered literature. All popular genres of literature are examined, including fiction, drama, and life stories (biography, autobiography, and memoirs), with the main emphasis on current fiction. More than 1,100 titles are organized according to genres, subgenres, and formats. Annotations provide brief, engaging plot summaries, information about awards, indication of which populations are addressed (e.g., gay, lesbian), and often suggestions for read-alikes. Subject terms or keywords accompany each entry to enhance access to more read-alikes. A brief history of the literature, comments on the genres, and tips for working with readers make this an essential guide and reference resource.Here is a long-overdue genre guide to a previously ignored body of literature. The book aims to provide the reader and readers' advisor with an introduction to 20th-century gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered literature. All popular genres of literature are examined, including fiction, drama, and life stories (biography, autobiography, and memoirs), with the main emphasis on current fiction. More than 1,100 titles are organized according to genres, subgenres, and formats. Annotations provide brief, engaging plot summaries, information about awards, indication of which populations are addressed (e.g., gay, lesbian, teen), and often suggestions for read-alikes. Subject terms or keywords accompany each entry to enhance access to more read-alikes. A brief history of the literature, comments on the genres, and tips for working with readers make this an essential guide and reference resource.

It's no secret that the fantasy genre has undergone a tremendous renaissance since the publication of the Harry Potter books and the recent successes of the film versions of The Lord of the Rings. Fantasy is one of the hottest genres going today, appealing to readers both young and old. This new guide focuses on titles that have come out of the recent publishing explosion in the fantasy arena. The authors organize and describe approximately 2,000 titles, most new to or newly described in this edition. A revised organization reflects the growth and trends in the genre, and all titles (except individual titles within series) are annotated.

Nine of the best-selling books of all time are nonfiction, and countless readers turn to nonfiction when reading for pleasure today. Yet little has been done to classify nonfiction titles according to reading tastes. This is especially true in the library, where subject arrangements geared to information-seeking and scholarly research ignore the important characteristics and appeal features that readers seek out when reading for pleasure. It's no surprise, then, that in recent years, nonfiction readers' advisory has become one of the hottest topics with readers' advisors. This groundbreaking guide offers readers and professionals who work with them a much-needed road map to the vast and previously uncharted (in terms of RA) terrain of recreational nonfiction. After defining the genre (often also referred to as creative nonfiction, verite, or true stories), and discussing its unique characteristics and appeals, the author classifies and describes more than 500 titles popular with nonfiction readers—everything from true adventure, true crime, and travel narratives to investigative nonfiction, environmental writing, and life stories. Focus is on the best titles published within the last decade, with key classics and benchmark titles also cited. Chapters are subdivided into subgenres and popular themes. For each title you'll find a short list of nonfiction read-alikes.Fiction read-alikes are listed for each genre, as well. Appendixes list top political and spiritual writers. Tips and guidelines for nonfiction RA, and information about awards and NF publishers are included. This is an essential resource for all professionals who work with adult readers. It can be used as a reference and readers' advisory guide, collection development tool, or even as a source for book lists and displays. Readers who enjoy nonfiction will also enjoy perusing this book, and browsing through the lively annotations.

Latinos comprise the fastest-growing population in the U.S., and that means more Latino readers at the library. In addition, works written by Latinos, whether written in or translated into English, have become a vibrant and growing body of literature that is of great interest to all readers as well as literary scholars. Yet, there are few tools to guide readers and the professionals who work with them through this expanding terrain.The primary purpose of this guide is to help readers and those who advise them find enjoyable leisure reading material. Focusing on popular works by Latino authors, i.e. U.S. authors of Latino heritage; and authors from Latin American countries or Spain, the book organizes and describes approximately 750 titles by genre, subgenre and theme, providing readers with lists of like reads.Complete bibliographic information is provided for each title, along with a concise plot summary, a subject list, award information, a brief quote from the book, and a list of similar reads. Other features of the guide include an introduction to Latino literature, a discussion of RA services in a multicultural society, trends in Latino publishing, and a discussion of pertinent ethnic terminology. In addition, you'll find guidelines for selection of Latino Literature, information sources, publishers, and organizations and societies. Further access is provided by indexes to authors, titles, subjects, character names, and settings .

More than 600 crime titles are described and organized according to popular reading interests.Welcome to the dark side of the crime genre, where creeps and psychopaths dominate and the good guys don't always win. Award winning librarian Gary Warren Niebuhr organizes and describes more than 600 crime titles according to popular reading tastes. He adopts the premise that, as in mystery, character is the defining appeal characteristic of these books, but the characters are of a different sort. Books are arranged in three broad categories—"professional criminals," "caught up in crime," and "criminal detectives." Within these chapters, titles are organized in sections on the mob, serial killers, white-collar crime, criminals on the run, victims, cops-gone-bad, rogues, and more. True Crime is separated from fictional works. Annotations give brief plot summaries, noting the special appeal of the characters involved to help anyone find the perfect book.

Aimed at librarians and readers' advisors who serve teens, this is a guide to outstanding reads for GLBTQ teens, for straight teens with an interest in the subject, and for GLBTQ friends and family. It provides some 300 fiction and nonfiction suggestions.Aimed at librarians and readers' advisors who serve teens, this is a guide to outstanding reads for GLBTQ teens, for straight teens with an interest in the subject, and for GLBTQ friends and family. It provides some 300 fiction and nonfiction suggestions, including poetry, drama, and graphic novels; and organizes them according to genre, subgenre and theme. Each entry includes a brief description of the work, a code for the type of characters it includes (G, L, B, T, and Q), indication of reading level, and full bibliographic information. Award-winners and titles that have audio and film versions are indicated. Lists of keywords follow the entries. Resources for further study enhance the volume, making this an indispensable guide for any library that serves teens.

Hundreds of new horror titles are described and organized according to reading preferences in this new volume of Fonseca and Pulliam's award-winning readers' advisory guide. Focusing on titles published in the last decade, along with a few older classics, the authors cover more than a dozen popular subgenres of horror fiction, including vampires and werewolves, techno-horror, ghosts and haunted houses, and small town horror. Lively annotations and commentary help you find the right book for your most demanding horror fans. More than 500 annotations are new to this edition.Hundreds of new horror titles are described and organized according to reading preferences in this new volume of Fonseca and Pulliam's award-winning readers' advisory guide. Focusing on titles published since 2002 and broadly accessible to library users, along with a few older classics, the authors cover more than a dozen popular subgenres of horror fiction, including vampires and werewolves, techno-horror, ghosts and haunted houses, and small town horror. Lively annotations and commentary help you find the right book for your most demanding horror fans. More than 500 annotations are new to this edition.Background information on current trends, the history, and appeals of the genre are also offered, along with lists of pertinent resources.

It's real, it's radical, and it rocks! Nonfiction has become the preferred genre for many teen readers, both male and female. This guide identifies some of the most popular nonfiction for today's teens, and organizes it into specific genres and reading interests that teens enjoy—from true adventure, sports and life stories, to do-it-yourself. More than 500 titles are described, with notes on classics, award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, and titles that especially appeal to boys and to reluctant readers, or are appropriate for book groups. This is an essential readers' advisory resource for anyone who works with teen readers, and a practical collection development aid. Grades 6-12.Teens read nonfiction for pleasure as much or more than adults. In recent years, librarians have become increasingly aware of the appeal of this literature and the need to offer and promote it to teen readers. This guide focuses on titles created for teens and those with strong teen appeal. The author covers more than 500 titles published since 2000, also including benchmarks and perennial classics that teens continue to enjoy. For each title you'll find complete bibliographic information, a descriptive annotation, indications of award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, titles suitable for book groups, and books with extra appeal for boys. In addition, she identifies fiction read-alikes and sure bets for each subgenre (i.e., consider starting with).A general introduction and chapter introductions discuss the appeals of the genre, working with teens, and issues related to nonfiction. This is an essential guide for any librarian who works with teens.

The third in the Now Read This series, Pearl & Cords's guide briefly describes and organizes approximately 500 of the most popular and current contemporary, mainstream fiction titles according to their primary appeal features-character, setting, language, and story. It also notes award-winning titles and those appropriate for book clubs; and it offers users suggestions for related reads. Focus is on titles published since 2000, and all annotations are new to this volume. This is the standard readers' advisory guide to mainstream fiction, and an essential tool for readers' advisors.

Historical fiction has surged in popularity in recent years, with new subgenres emerging (e.g. Viking romance, religious thrillers) and reader interest showing no signs of slowing down. This follow-up to Johnson's critically acclaimed guide published in 2005 covers new territory by focusing on English-language historical novels for adults published between mid-2004 and mid-2008, in particular those commonly found in American public library collections. The author's unique approach involves classifying titles by subgenres, rather than strictly by geography and chronology; thereby grouping read-alikes together. It gives users a deeper understanding of the genre, an update on new titles, and an easy way to identify read-alikes and book club selections for library patrons. More than 2700 historical fiction titles, about 2,000 new to this volume, are organized and described.

This comprehensive guide to one of the newest genres is the first of its kind—it maps and describes more than 500 chick lit titles for today's 'tween and teen readers.Teen chick lit continues to flood an already-flourishing market. Teen Chick Lit: A Guide to Reading Interests well help public librarians and school media specialists handle the onslaught for collection development, readers' advisory, and promotion. This comprehensive guide categorizes and describes more than 500 titles in 6 major subgenres to help readers find the books they want.After an introduction that introduces readers to the genre, successive chapters focus on six popular subgenres, with definitions and annotated lists of titles. Chapters are further organized by subgenres and themes, grouping titles according to reading interests. Each title entry provides full bibliographic information, as well as age recommendations, book awards, media connections, a list of keywords, and a lively annotation.

This book offers a thorough exploration of historical fiction for young adults, examining popular and compelling books that illuminate the past and define the struggles faced by young people in those times.Teens don't read historical fiction, right? Wrong! Although some teens may associate historical fiction with schoolwork, by using the genre approach, library specialists and history teachers can suggest titles that teen readers will actually enjoy. Thanks to heightened interest by both readers and publishers in historical fiction, there are now more subvarieties of this genre available than ever before. This title was written to provide guidance through this expanding category for teen librarians, teachers, and school media specialists.In Historical Fiction for Teens: A Genre Guide, YA librarian Melissa Rabey organizes more than 300 titles by subgenre and theme—from thrills and action stories to historical fantasy. Descriptive annotations, subject lists, reading levels, and read-alikes are given for each title; award winners and titles appropriate for book clubs are noted.

Offering more than 400 street-lit titles, this guide helps readers' advisors and other librarians to better understand the genre and collect and recommend titles ranging from romance and coming-of-age stories to action stories and erotica.Street lit is also known to its enthusiastic readers as "urban fiction," "ghetto lit," "hip-hop lit," and "gangsta lit." No matter what it's called, it remains one of the most significant and increasingly popular forms of modern literature.This text provides a much-needed resource guide to this vibrant genre. In this title, more than 400 entries appear in eleven chapters, each focusing on a different subgenre of street lit. The author has organized titles by popular subgenres and themes, such as prison life and urban erotica, to help librarians more easily identify read-alikes. Urban Grit: A Guide to Street Lit also contains practical tips on integrating these books into an existing collection or library program and meeting challenges that may arise in the process.

Organized by subgenres and popular themes, this guide provides librarians, teachers, counselors, and other education professionals a wide range of suggested reading from the "realistic-problem novel" subset of modern young adult literature.The fact that adolescents are captivated by books about protagonists facing the same fundamental challenges as them has been well established. While many forms of literature can potentially help young adults navigate though their development and establish their identities, contemporary realistic-problem fiction has a unique ability to engage and benefit the reader. The plights of the characters in these novels are strikingly similar to the real problems and issues that the teen reader is typically experiencing, making these books especially appealing and powerful.This guide provides an effective road map for librarians, teachers, and other professionals working to guide teens through life by introducing them to books that discuss real-world problems and issues. This Is My Life: A Guide to Realistic Fiction for Teens focuses on stories set in contemporary times, with emphasis on works published in the past decade, however, this guide also includes classics and older benchmark titles. The readings suggested range from lighthearted, humorous novels to books with dark or serious themes.

This genre guide to graphic novel reading interests helps librarians and teachers choose titles appropriate for children and 'tweens.Librarians and teachers know how important graphic novels can be in engaging young readers and even getting reluctant readers interested in books. Graphic Novels for Young Readers: A Genre Guide for Ages 4-14 identifies and describes the growing number of graphic novels that are suitable for and popular with readers ages 6-14. Taking a genre approach, the book organizes approximately 400 titles, most of them published in the last five years, according to genre, subgenre, and theme. It describes series and lists bibliographic information for each title. Also included are subjects and read-alikes, as well as designations of awards. A great readers' advisory tool, this guide can also be used for collection development in school and public libraries.

A valuable reference and collection development tool designed to assist readers' advisors in helping readers find modern "detective" mysteries they will enjoy.In this follow-up and companion to the author's previous title, Make Mine a Mystery: A Reader's Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction, renowned expert on the mystery and detective genre Gary Warren Niebuhr brings readers' advisors and librarians a new resource guide that categorizes and describes recently published mystery novels.Make Mine a Mystery II examines works by prominent established authors and includes books from new writers not in the previous edition. Organizing some 700 titles in popular mystery series, the books within are divided into the broader types—amateur, public, and private detective. Each of the selections within these groups is further categorized by the type of protagonist: classic, eccentric, lone wolf, police, lawyer, and so on. The author even notes whether each detective is of the "hardboiled," "softboiled" (cozy), or traditional type, enabling users to easily identify read-alikes for mystery fans. This book will be especially helpful for collection development specialists seeking to create a balanced collection of titles.