Reality Rules!

Reviews / Votes

I have post-it notes stuck in this book...of titles and subjects I will want to include in my next book order...This is for those libraries trying to beef up their nonfiction 'leisure' reading materials. Recommended. * Library Media Connection * Fraser fills a hole in the readers'-advisory literature with this reference on nonfiction reading interests for teens. The book annotates more than 500 titles in 11 chapters....The author also provides nonfiction and fiction read-alikes in each chapter and for many individual titles. In addition to aiding young adult librarians, this book would be useful for adult librarians who sometimes serve young adults or for small libraries with a single service desk. * Booklist * This resources is valuable not only for suggesting nonfiction reading for teens but also for helping librarians and teachers learn about the types of nonfiction teens read for fun. It can also be used as a collection development aid. The annotations give enough information for basic readers' advisory resources, both in print and online, rounding out a useful tool for all libraries serving teens. * VOYA * Will teens read nonfiction? Only if they know what's available, and this excellent guide is a great start to collection building and display to catch a reader. * Teacher Librarian * The emphasis is on recreational reading, and fiction read-alikes are helpfully provided in each chapter. This is another good addition to the publisher's ongoing Genreflecting Advisory Series. * American Libraries * Fraser's expertise is evident in this guide to suggested titles for teens. Books are arranged by genre, including adventure, crime, memoirs, autobiographies, biographies, history, science, math, the environment, sports, how-tos, the arts, and understanding and changing the world.... Additional information includes which awards the titles have won, books that both adults and teens will enjoy, books aimed at male readers, those suitable for book groups, core titles that have stood the test of time, and those for reluctant readers. Most of the titles annotated have been published since 2000, although older classic and popular titles are included. Each chapter contains a brief selection of titles under Consider Starting with, followed by Fiction Read-Alikes. The outstanding suggestions are often supported by excellent references at the end of each chapter. This book is a must-read for any teacher or librarian working with teens. * School Library Journal * Fraser's chapter topics accurately reflect current teen reading interests, including true adventure, true crime, and how-to books. The author has been very thoughtful in designing the key elements of her text. Three of these features extend this resource's usefulness beyond that of other books developed for the teen librarian. The first is a list of keywords after each entry, which provides an instant search strategy for finding related titles. The second is the 'Consider Starting With' section, which offers quick guidance for librarians or teachers doing readers advisory. The third and best part of this resource is the 'Fiction Read-Alike' annotated list at the end of each chapter. This is a great way to help kids combine fiction and nonfiction reading when they are truly captivated by a subject. The tabbing on the outside of the book allows for quick and easy access to any chapter in the book. The topical nature of chapters makes this book equally accessible to the newest and most experienced teen librarian or teacher; it is similarly useful as a reference book for capable teens to use on their own. Reality Rules! is an innovative resource for those who work with teens in any type of library or school. It helps librarians and teachers match the right book to the right teen, placing nonfiction books into the hands of teens at the moment when they are ready to read them. The only way this resource would be any better is if it were longer. * Reference & User Services Quarterly * Fraser's descriptions of the books are concise and well written. Although she is Canadian, most of the books are from the United States. While not a book to be read cover-to-cover, it does fill a gap in the literature and as such should be purchased by any young adult librarian looking to expand their collection. * ARBA *