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It is no surprise that more time at home led many to enjoy such fruitful activities. Last year also featured a sales increase in all literary categories. Young adult fiction and nonfiction experienced the largest change, amounting to respective increases of 21.4% and 38.3%. Were there other positive impacts on adolescents’ reading habits? Read to find out more.

There have been a handful of great YA books in recent years that depict cheerleaders and what it takes to be good at the sport, but I’ve also enjoyed reading some 2021 YA novels that also look at the social aspects of being on the cheer squad, from toxic friendship to performative allyship to the political stances that athletes take. Let’s dive in!

Kids can handle books on race and sex. It’s their parents who can’t. The most fear is directed at challenging, complicated books that deal with the exact sort of struggles and themes that many parents would prefer their children never face in real life. But the students who most need to read many of these books are the ones who are struggling with these issues in real life.

High school students report on the impact summer reading selections can have on students’ empowerment to affect change in their communities. 

School experiences are crucial for shaping individuals’ developmental and well-being trajectories later in life. Past studies have explored associations between types of primary and secondary schools and academic achievement, but outcomes beyond academic performance remain less well understood. According to a new study published this week by Tyler VanderWeele of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, and colleagues, adolescents who are homeschooled are more likely to report greater character strengths and fewer risky health behaviors later in life, compared to peers at public schools, but are less likely to attain a college degree.

The reason for the pandemic’s toll on reading achievement is obvious: It’s hard to learn when schools are closed. But the reason that reading scores fell before the pandemic is less straightforward. Educators and researchers are weighing three theories on what is responsible for the decline: money, instruction or reading itself.

Research shows that reading aloud to your students—even long after they’re reading independently—benefits learners of all ages.

There is no better time for reading than the fall. As temperatures drop and the leaves change, the autumn air creates a perfect atmosphere for settling into a comfy chair, under a blanket, with a good book. And fortunately, a spate of highly anticipated young adult releases, each showcasing a unique coming-of-age tale, are here to keep you company throughout the cozy season.

Education scholars debunk myth that young people today are lazier, more immature than prior generations. “What has changed is that youth are reaching the markers of adulthood later,” says Nancy Hill, Charles Bigelow Professor of Education.

A few years ago, high school teacher Joshua Moreno got fed up with his grading system, which had become a points game .Some students accumulated so many points early on that by the end of the term they knew they didn’t need to do more work and could still get an A. Others — often those who had to work or care for family members after school — would fail to turn in their homework and fall so far behind that they would just stop trying. Moreno decided to change his grading system as part of a growing trend in which educators are moving away from traditional point-driven grading systems, aiming to close large academic gaps among racial, ethnic and economic groups.

Is there any purer expression of friendship than mutually deciding to disappear into your respective books?

Listen as NPR’s Michel Martin talks to York, Pa., high school seniors Olivia Pituch and Christina Ellis about helping to reverse their school district’s ban on certain books and films being taught to students.

Fusing the study of art and literary texts is a great way to foster analytic thinking in high school learners.

Almost two years into the pandemic, over 18 million households lack high-speed internet access. Even if it’s available, they can’t afford it, according to a new report(opens in a new window) released Thursday entitled “No Home Left Offline.” In 43 states, the inability to pay for internet service accounts for more than half of the digital divide; even in those with large rural populations. How can we bridge the digital divide? Read to find out more.

High school journalists asked Chicago Public School students how Pedro Martinez could fix Chicago schools. This is what they found out.

During the middle school years, our children are discovering who they are as individuals, but also forming opinions about the world around them. It’s a lot to digest. Your child may already have an array of classic books to consult as they’re growing up, but if you’re looking to offer some diversity to their at-home library and their world view, we have the perfect list of inclusive young adult books they won’t want to put down.

As 2021 winds down, so do popular trilogies by four YA authors: Roshani Chokshi, Mackenzi Lee, Natasha Ngan, and Kiersten White. We asked each of them about the origin of their series, the writing experience throughout, and what comes next.

Research shows that typical highlighting may hinder learning. Here are three highlighting strategies that actually work.

Whether you’re looking to branch out into the literary category for the first time or simply want a new read to hunt for in your favorite section of the bookstore, this list of must-read YA titles is for you.

Exploring prospective majors and deciding between campuses is a significant part of the student experience; one that can be quite daunting for families who deal with language barriers. This past week East Hall High School hosted its first-ever Latino College Night to provide information on college admissions and campus life to Spanish-speaking and bilingual families. 

Watch as curriculum designer Betsy Potash explains hexagonal thinking, an activity designed to get kids thinking critically, making novel connections, debating, and providing evidence to support their reasoning—by visually connecting a series of ideas written on paper or digital hexagons around a theme. This simple, flexible activity gets students collaborating to make connections between key themes—in any unit you are teaching.

Biographies and memoirs get to the heart of subjects’ lives and are often a gateway for readers who aren’t naturally drawn to nonfiction. They offer windows into others’ experiences and mirrors of one’s own experiences, and as Dr. Rudine Sim Bishop posits, these titles provide sliding doors that teens can step through—entryways into lives that have often gone unsung and untold.

Nearly half of teens said the pandemic had a negative impact on their academics. Five young people give  some insights into how the pandemic affected their academics — and the things they learned outside of the classroom.

Exploring the mysteries of the planet and the beings that may exist beyond our comprehension is what anchors Darcie Little Badger’s acclaimed young-adult fiction. Her new YA book, ‘A Snake Falls to Earth’, to be published Nov. 23, was long-listed for this year’s National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. And like her debut, Elatsoe, which was published to fanfare in 2020, Little Badger’s new genre-bending narrative draws on her heritage and the tradition of story-telling that has informed her worldview.

Teachers at Logan High School are taking an innovative path to help improve the selection of engaging and current reading materials in their classrooms by introducing students to a classic and interactive whodunit mystery.

A lot of conversations on social media about underrated YA books are packed with title recommendations that have either hit the bestseller list — sometimes numerous times — or have been on major award lists — sometimes multiple lists. It’s hard to truly find gems that are underrated when what constitutes that qualifier isn’t quantified. 

High school English has a heavy emphasis on reading classic literature but as Dumbledore reminds us in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” So much of what makes reading for fun fun is getting to choose what to read. Innovative Memphis educators are using that idea to inspire a new generation of literary scholars.

New materials can leave kids in the fog. Here are five metacognitive questions they can use to find their way and become more independent learners.

A middle school English as a Second Language teacher reflects on what her students have taught her about learning a new language.

High school counselor Dylan Ohara has watched a troubling pattern emerge as students settle into the school year. After spending most of their time at home for a year and a half, many kids simply don’t know how to act around their peers. “The social drama is just so incredibly amplified beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

Gary Paulsen, author of the middle school staple “Hatchet,” died Oct. 13 at 82. Teachers and librarians in Los Angeles and beyond were saddened by the news but expressed deep gratitude to a man whose inspiring, plot-driven stories captivated readers young and old. 

Research examining the effects of a 2004 Florida law requiring middle school students scoring below proficiency levels on a state exam in either math or English to complete two courses the next year — one grade-level class and one remedial class — in the same subject, suggests adolescents who take remedial classes are better prepared for academic success in high school and college. 

Cafe Momentum layers multiple forms of support; education, basic supplies and real-world skills. They are key to staying out of the justice system but hard for many youth to find at home.

A focus on belonging, creativity, and metacognition is helping one school lead students away from superficial learning.

Middle school students build literacy skills and explore who they are growing to be in an independent reading unit centered on the theme of identity.

Push students past simple recall into deeper thought and engagement by adding this short follow-up question to your repertoire.

How do you devise high school SEL lessons that don’t feel preachy and align with adolescents’ cognitive and psychological development. Read to find out!

Seven years after students from a small, suburban Rhode Island high school successfully advocated for the adoption of financial literacy standards, state lawmakers have made proficiency in personal finance a requirement for high school graduation, beginning with the class of 2024.

Educators can take the initiative to provide safe and welcoming spaces in their classrooms and school community.

Even before the pandemic upended school, test scores in both reading and math declined for 13-year-old students, the first drop registered in a half century in testing meant to measure student proficiency over time.

High school teachers focus on what they learned from pandemic instruction to support students’ learning in the classroom this year.

Listen as Thomas and Adeyemi discuss their journeys as authors and the importance of diverse voices in Young Adult Literature.

For socially marginalized girls, access to second chances during adolescence, such as the opportunity to reenter education or gain technical skills, can play a key role in fostering well-being and improving life outcomes for them and their families.

Experts and educators have many suggestions to help children understand what they read.

Think middle grade readers aren’t brave enough handle creepy stories? Clearly you haven’t been around enough middle graders lately. Kids love to get scared. Here are nine truly terrifying books for fearless middle grade readers. And yes, adults are going to love (and be afraid of) these books too!

Ariana Grande, Maroon 5 and others have pitched in to help adolescents obtain free, mental health care. 

Catcher in the Rye’s meaning has remained a part of literary discussions and education programs since its publication in 1951 because its themes are still relevant even for modern students. Take a look at a few of the lessons this novel teaches.

Educators need to consider the context, the content, and the individual child when deciding how much screen time kids should have.

Documents that a whistle-blower provided to The Wall Street Journal showed that Instagram made body-image issues worse for one in three teenage girls. Those findings are not surprising to many young women.

What are some good adult reading possibilities for teens? A longtime children’s and teen librarian offers a wide selection of mystery, romance, nonfiction and science fiction selected by fellow librarians and teens.

Researchers at The University of Miami will use an Institute of Education Sciences grant to study the effects of an intensive reading program for middle school students with or at-risk for reading disabilities.

A climate of disinformation in students’ homes lives is making it harder to teach critical thinking.

The NY Times invites students (age 11-19) to choose an issue or question in science, technology, engineering, math or health, then write an engaging 500-word explanation. Contest Dates: Feb. 2 to March 9, 2022.

Hundreds of students, parents and residents in York County, Pa., protested limits on books told from the perspective of gay, Black and Latino children.

Assignments that align with standards and hone students’ critical thinking skills can boost their engagement in learning.

Rather than buying into the false assumption that high-achieving kids will do fine on their own, we need to do a better job of making sure that all high achievers, including those from low-income backgrounds, get the education they deserve.

Teachers can support students in developing skills that allow them to effectively evaluate content from a variety of media sources.

An online petition to reinstate slavery that made its rounds at a high school in Kansas City this month is the latest in a series of incidents sparking outrage from parents and students who say race-related controversies at the school are an all-too-common occurrence.

In America, around 17 million children are battling hunger. An entrepreneur has teamed with rap star Gunna to open a free grocery store inside his old middle school in Georgia to try to begin to change that.

Students missed homecoming, field trips and classes, while also handling anxiety and economic precarity. Now, they must leap into the future, with the school’s help.