In this critical study, Pattee examines the series’ content, structure, and reader base, investigating an influential marketing and literary phenomenon, and interrogating the intersecting influences of history, audience positioning, and readability that allowed "Sweet Valley" to flourish, and continues to allow other teen series to enjoy popular acclaim.
Describes why secondary students don't read, and offers teachers practical advice and strategies for developing depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers.
"A definite MUST READ! EFFORTLESS WITH YOU left me smiling like a doofus and hugging my Kindle." -- Cassie Mae, bestselling author of REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND and the forthcoming HOW TO DATE A NERD"A fun summer read. Highly recommended." -- Sheralynn Kwong"A quick, fun and flirty read. Thanks for sharing." -- Julie Ann Marra EFFORTLESS WITH YOU is the story of Lucy, a girl who needs an attitude adjustment, and Justin, the boy who just might give it to her.School is out and Lucy is ready for the perfect summer: lazy days at the pool, invitations to the most exclusive parties, and romantic dates with her hot new boyfriend. That is, until she lands in trouble one too many times and her parents issue the ultimate punishment: a summer job. Suddenly, the summer can't end fast enough.To make matters worse, the job is painting houses with Justin, the most popular, egotistical guy in school. Spending all summer with Justin might be other girls' dreams, but definitely not Lucy's. After all, Justin is cocky, annoying, and a jerk. So what if he's the most beautiful jerk Lucy's ever seen? Or that his grin makes her forget she's mad at the world? Or that maybe, just maybe, there's more to Justin than everyone thinks. Only one thing is certain: it won't be the summer she wanted, but it might be exactly the one she needs.Preview chapters from Cassie Mae's HOW TO DATE A NERD and Linda Budzinski's THE FUNERAL SINGER.
This book contains several short stories about the simple, innocent romance between a boy and a girl that reflects a much simpler time. A time when just holding hands and giving that certain boy or girl a special look gave you huge butterflies in your stomach and that breathless feeling of excitement and wonderment of, "Does he like me? I mean REALLY like me?" or "Man I hope that look means she likes me, a lot!" These stories are about a young man not afraid to stand up for his lady and willing to risk his own safety to rescue her. I believe a "real" man is NOT afraid to cry and in my stories when someone's heart is breaking he is not afraid to show his true feelings. So grab the tissues, find a comfortable place to sit, pick up this book and be prepared to get lost in a world of good, old fashioned romance. Happy reading!
17-year-old Zsa-Zsa Fields is the body rockin', name droppin' and top model poppin' girl that all the haters love to hate and everyone else tries to imitate. But she has a secret: the love of her life, Ameen Jones, is a handful of trouble and their relationship is out of control. After a tragic event lands her in hospital, Zsa Zsa finally breaks up with Ameen. But there's more drama around the corner when things heat up between her and her best friend, Malachi; especially when she finds out that she's not the only one who wants him.
Love is often a mystery to teenagers — sometimes painful, other times glorious, always challenging. This book will help them understand and sort out their myriad feelings and experiences. Rather than merely offering one adult’s opinions or reflections on love, Kirberger deftly combines material from teens dealing with firsthand adolescent love with that from adults sensitive to the special needs of teens. She includes original letters she has received from teens, along with her responses to their questions, concerns and confusion. This blend provides a wide-ranging perspective on love and relationships. It will enable teens to gain wisdom and choose more wisely when making decisions in love and relationships. This book is designed to guide teens through the maze of love and relationships in a gentle, understanding and compassionate way. It isn’t a dos-and-don’ts manual, but rather a how-it-is-in-love guidebook. Teens will come to treasure it as a wise and loving counselor and companion. On the roller-coaster ride of teen love, this is one book no teen can afford to be without. Check out the companion book, , co-authored with Colin Mortensen of MTV’s Real World/Hawaii.
Return to Love: A Romance Novel for Young Adults by Lynn Hubbard Returning home after being away for two long years, 16 year old Joanie Caldwell learns what is truly important in life: family, friendship and love. Joanie stumbles along the path to adulthood along with her best friend Kate. She soon learns that things do change and not always for the better. One of the major changes she takes note of is her brother's friend Eric. Will he notice her as well? She and Kate face many adversaries along the way from a local gang leader to the spiteful school secretary and everything in between. As long as they stick together, they can overcome anything and anyone. Set during the Winter of 1959 in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Return to Love" introduces Joanie Caldwell, her mother and her overprotective brother.
“You wanna play?” “Yeah, okay.” I didn’t really but these girls were pretty cute, especially the blonde one. “Throw the rings over the Eiffel tower.” The blonde girl pointed to the miniature Eiffel behind her. “You get a French treat for each one you get over.” Her hand brushed mine as she handed me the rings and I glanced up into stunning blue eyes. She turned away and I traced the shape of her slender body, my eyes lingering on her gentle curves. I blinked and concentrated on the model Eiffel. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of these girls. I threw the first ring and got it over. Both girls cheered and I almost laughed at their enthusiasm. I tried to focus again but was too hurried this time and missed. “Ohhh that was close.” “Come on, you can do it.” I threw the last ring and the girls cheered again. I couldn’t help but grin at them. I wondered what my French treat would be. The dark-haired girl held up a tray with some kind of tart on it and a bread stick with a French flag toothpick stuck through it. “You made these?” “Yeah.” She smiled. “Mmm ... it’s good.” I stood there eating, not wanting to move away. “So ... how come you’re doing this beach festival?” “It’s a camp activity. It was Lizzie’s idea to do a taste of Paris.” The blonde girl glanced at her friend then smiled at me with such natural ease, her pretty face blooming into beautiful. “That’s cool. So you’re camping here?” “Yeah.” She smiled with such unguarded friendliness it took my breath away. “We come here every year.” Her lips were a soft, natural pink. “It’s a family camp.” Her long, golden hair shimmered as she combed her fingertips around one ear. “What about you?” The dark-haired girl I presumed was Lizzie asked, distracting me from my stare. “Uh, I live here. My family owns the store up the road.” “You’re lucky...” I looked at the pretty girl again as Lizzie, continued to talk. When she fell silent I realized I hadn’t heard a word she’d said and now she was looking at me expectantly. “Um, yeah,” I said, non-committal-like. Lizzie smiled. “Me too.” “I’d love to live near the sea.” The pretty girl looked into my eyes then glanced away, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. The skin above her neckline and exposed shoulders was so smooth it shone with reflected sunlight. “It’s really nice here.” She looked again into my eyes and this time she held my gaze. I was shocked at how beautiful she was. We were just staring at each other and I knew I had to say something but the conversational part of my brain had stopped working. I swallowed. “You wanna play?” Lizzie called out, looking past me. I turned to see a young boy approaching the booth and I stepped back to give him some room. The blonde girl gave me a wistful smile. I flashed her a grin, turned and walked away. I was on an adrenaline high. It was such a rush talking to a pretty girl like that. I replayed our conversation in my head, inwardly groaning that I hadn’t even said one intelligent or witty thing the whole time. “Hey!” I turned and my heart jumped. She was right behind me. “What’s your name?” She asked. “Uh ... Zach.” “I’m Joanna.” She stood there for a moment just smiling at me. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Zach. Hope I see you around some time.” “Yeah … me too.” She whirled and danced away before I could say anything else. Wow. I stood watching after her. She really was beautiful.
