Naked Reading

Naked Reading was inspired by the author's ten-year-old granddaughter, whose frequent practice of spending time after a shower air-drying in the privacy of the bathroom, so she can continue reading an engrossing book, made Teri Lesesne curious about what makes some tweens avid readers while others elect not to read or become dormant readers.

Not yet fully young adults, but—as they are quick to tell you—no longer “little kids,” these nine-to-fourteen-year-olds are at a stage where every day brings new emotions and physical growth, when habits become ingrained, and when tastes are established.

For teachers, the tween years can be the best and worst of times. While some fourth-to-ninth-graders come to see books as a lifeline for understanding a changing world, too many experience “the fourth-grade slump”—a marked decline in interest and achievement in reading. Without help, many become middle and high school students who have stopped reading for pleasure, and only slog through what is assigned.

Teri draws on her extensive experience as a teacher and consultant to examine ways that educators can help interest kids in books and keep them reading during this crucial period. She looks at:

• developmental attributes of tweens;
• emerging interests for tweens;
• themes and plots tweens find most engaging;
• annotations for scores of children's and YA literature most appropriate for tweens;
• practical classroom activities for sparking tween engagement in reading.

As in her previous book, Making the Match, Naked Reading is loaded with specific titles to help you connect kids with books that will interest them the most.

Table of Contents

About the Author(s)

There was never any doubt in Teri Lesesne's mind that she would one day become a teacher. "It is the only thing I ever considered becoming," she says. She loves to see kids' faces light up as they learn.
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Reviews

Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy - December/January 2007-2008
"I am happy to recommend Naked Reading both for its inspirational tone and its wealth of solid ideas." Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Dec/Jan 2007-2008

Michigan Reading Journal - 2007
"Packed with inspiration and ideas, this is a perfect book for pre-service teachers as well as current teachers of tween students. I would definitely recommend this book for all middle school teachers."

Voices from the Middle - October 2006
"Lesesne's zeal for her subject is highly infectious, making it a must read for anyone working with tweens." Voices from the Middle, October 2006