INDEPENDENT READING 
                        (AKA Free Reading)

NOTE TO PARENTS:  Dr. Lisa Mulhall, K-12 Language Arts Supervisor for Cherry Hill Public Schools prepared this brochure related to Young Adult Literature.

How do I find a good book?  The links in this pathfinder can be used to guide you to books that you might enjoy.  Please remember that every book included in these links may not be ones that you want  to be reading.  Some middle school students are beyond what has been classified as children's  literature while many of the selections found in young adult literature are geared to high school students. Book selection is important.

Are there other tools that can be used to find a good book?  Novelist that is designed to help adults and students locate books similar to one that they have just read or to explore a given genre or subject is part of our online EBSCO database that is provided to all libraries by the New Jersey State Library.  You may access it via Rosa's Online Reference Resources.  Select EBSCO and then Novelist.  Mrs. Kemps will be introducing you to this resource via your Language A class.

Are there authors that all middle school students should know? Here is a link to an article written by Bernice E. Cullinan, noted reading specialist that highlights several well-known authors for middle school students.

Reliable sources for independent reading books

        Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School  and other updated of popular and quality books for young adults prepared by Scarecrow Press and published in Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), these annual lists are selected by librarians and teachers based on input from teenagers.

       Children's Book Council - Several bibliographies are available on via this site.

        Reading Rants - Search this site for review of books by teenagers.  These are not your ordinary book review lists.

        Lots of Lists - Numerous links to bibliographies  of recommended books on a specific genre, theme, grade level, etc. are provided by the University of Calgary.

        Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site
    Ms. Hurst is a well known expert in the field of children's literature.

        Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Booklists - This division of the American Library Association focuses on literature and library services for our students.

        School Library Journal - Best Books of the Year - This annual list is based on professional evaluation of the books published each year.  They are not arranged by grade level.

Don't forget - TEEN READ WEEK - Get Active @ your Library - October 15-21, 2006
                        Tips for teachers and parents
                        Cherry Hill Public Library Activities for Teen Read