Chapters from Text Key concepts Required Reading Examples Future Application to the Library
Knowing the Kids:  Chapters 1-4 Psychological theories such as Piaget, Maslow, Havighurst, Kohlberg Reading about Kohlberg’s theory of moral development made me consider The Knife of Never Letting Go and how students at different stages might struggle understanding Todd’s reluctance to kill the turtle and then later, Aaron. I need to consider factors beyond reviews when I am preparing an order of books.  I need to take into account that my students have needs based on age, culture, and other developmental factors.  I need to be able to communicate this to teachers, too.  One book is not suitable for ALL readers as no two kids are alike in terms of their needs, interests, and preferences. 
Different ways kids grow and develop: socially, culturally, intellectually Gabi: A Girl in Pieces came to mind as I was reading about the importance of knowing our students socially and culturally.  Gabi’s character would play well with students interested in strong female characters, and Gabi’s ties to the Hispanic community, as well as the large amount of Spanish in the book, would definitely be a selling point culturally. The library collection should reflect my school’s population and really take their interests to heart.  For instance, at my current school we house the largest agricultural program in the state.  To meet the needs of this large group of students, the collection should contain items covering a broad range of agricultural topics, and the items should be across many genres if I hope to meet the needs of this population.
How to determine the needs and interests of my students Monster is a terrific example of a high-interest book that works well with many reluctant readers.  The fact that this topic is regularly in the news doesn’t hurt, and neither does the fact that it is written in play format, so the book doesn’t seem as long and daunting. I love the idea of giving surveys about books and reading, and I think this could work especially well before a class visits the library for checking out books.  The teacher and I could review the surveys ahead of time and individualize plans for struggling and reluctant readers.
Understanding YA culture and staying on top of trends is important The 5th Wave is trending right now at my school because it is coming out as a movie January, 2016.  Even though it is longer than many of my students would typically choose to read on their own, they were up to the challenge after watching the movie trailer and hearing me talk about the book. This is something to keep in mind when weeding the collection.  If a book has dropped out of favor, it may be something as simple as an outdated cover, not the book itself.  Also, if a movie is being made of a book, it is going to be time to get more copies on the shelf, probably with the new movie cover.
There is no such thing as a typical teen reader George comes to mind as a great example of a fantastic read that wouldn’t be at the top of everyone’s list, but it may be the most important book ever to a few students.  Students struggling with how to talk to their newly out transgender friends would probably appreciate seeing the struggle from the other side without a judgment being placed. Listen to the students, and then match their needs and wants as closely as possible.  This may mean policy changes for book checkouts, it may mean more author visits, or it may be simply pulling out a book and reading aloud to them.  If this is what they want, then I should do my best to give it to them.
Knowing the Books: Chapters 5-7 The definitions and criteria for the genres and subgenres Being able to apply the criteria for science fiction and fantasy to THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO confirmed that it is well-written.  Its world building, its foundation on science help readers enter into Ness’ world. If I am tempted to “genrefy” the library, I need to keep in mind that there are sometimes books with blurred genre lines and books that blend and mash up genres.
The characteristics of a good book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is an example of a good book that holds up to the criteria.  It has a solid plot that isn’t predictable.  There are multiple conflicts, and the author doesn’t go for easy resolutions.  The characters, while appearing stereotypical at first, are multi-faceted and add depth.  The themes are accessible without being too obvious, and Alexie’s writing style is fascinating. Books are expensive, and my library will have a budget.  I need to read widely, looking for these characteristics, when I’m considering purchases.
Reading biographies and autobiographies allows readers to learn about other cultures, races and ethnicities, usually from primary sources. Persepolis is an excellent example of an autobiography made accessible to students through its presentation.  Satrapi’s words tell the story, but she isn’t afraid to allow her drawings to paint an even clearer picture with deeper meaning, and whether the students intends to or not, they are learning about a culture and people often misrepresented. Knowing the curricula throughout the school will enable me to make purchases pointed toward specific units that will be taught, and I can encourage reading to enhance the specific study.
Know the criteria for judging informational literature It’s Perfectly Normal is a solid resource for finding answers to questions about growing up and sexuality.  The awards this book has received show the high esteem in which it is held, and the extensive list of  medical professionals who provided help in one way or another also speaks to the accuracy of the information.  The author himself addresses currency and accuracy in a note to the reader, found opposite the versa. Informational literature takes looking ahead for what students may need, but also looking at the library collection and determining what I already have and what is no longer accurate.  A book from 1985 about AIDS treatment will have no validity today beyond a historical curiousity, and it could actually do more harm than good to young people looking for answers.
Knowing the Strategies:  Chapters 8-10 The techniques and suggestions for booktalking Including some read aloud in a booktalk of SPEAK will let readers know that there is good humor in this story of incredible intensity. I need to become more practiced at booktalking as it is one way to connect kids to books. 
Know the Dos and Don’ts of booktalking El Deafo is a terrific read, and the graphic novel presentation makes it accessible for students with and without disabilities.  When booktalking though, this is a book you will want to read thoroughly and not skim because it would be very easy to misread actions or oversell.  Reading thoroughly also gives you a quick tip to tie in other books as you realize Cece Bell is married to Tom Angleberger, author of the Origami Yoda series. Booktalks are supposed to be fun, but they do require planning to pull off well.  When planning, it would be a good idea to keep the list of Dos and Don’ts handy to make sure I’m doing things like hooking books together but not overselling or giving away too much of the plot.
The goal is to grow lifetime readers.  To do this, I must be aware of the stages of development and how to incorporate these into the classroom. Maggie Stiefvater’s book, The Scorpio Races, is a terrific example of finding unconscious delight in reading.  I chose an audiobook as my format for reading, and listened during the commute to and from work.  The last 20 minutes of the book, I couldn’t make myself shut off the car and walk inside my home.  I was completely lost in the story and swept away by the beauty and ugliness of the races.  There was no way I could have waited until morning to finish! As a librarian, one of my jobs will be to collaborate with teachers and to encourage them to incorporate time for reading into their teaching practice.  Not all teachers know how to compact curriculum so this can happen, and I can be a guide in this area.
Note: Items in italics were provided by Dr. Lesesne.