The Center for Adolescent Reading (CAR) is organized exclusively for the charitable and educational purpose of introducing at-risk- adolescents in correctional facilities, in low-income housing, out of home placements, and alternative schools to the joys of reading. It also provides a forum for all teens to discuss and recommend books that appeal to them. It provides public service opportunities for teens, through their own reading and writing, to make enjoyable books available to other teens. Reading helps teens navigate the shoals of adolescence and leads toward a productive adulthood by improving literacy skills and bolstering self-esteem through mastery of reading.
Booktalking presentations to targeted population. A professional librarian/booktalker goes to a facility, school, or other location where at risk youth are present and presents informative booktalks of books that will be made available to youth at that location through CAR. The booktalks are designed to arouse interest in the featured books. Books are selected that will appeal to the population served.
Development of deposit library collections to be housed in correctional facilities, mental health institutions, hospitals, shelters, low-income housing complexes, reservations, and other facilities and locations where at risk youth are present and adequate library facilities are absent.
Selection of books. Using standard library collection development techniques, books that will be of interest to at risk teens will be selected (a.) enticing youth to read thus improving their reading skills, (b.) validating youth’s decision making skills by selecting a broad range of books possibly of interest to teens and facilitating reviewing and recommendations by teens.
Educational sessions are provided for care givers and educators of at-risk-youth to assist them in helping youth toward improved literacy.
A web site is maintained at to provide access to literacy resources for teens.
PAST and PRESENT
Booktalking presentations are currently being done at:
Grand Mesa facility of the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections, Detention Unit. Approximately 45 youth are served each month.
Started in 2001 and continuing.
Once a week book talks are held at a coffee shop that is a gathering place of teenagers in foster care, on probation, and on parole. This booktalking program is open to the public. It started in June 2002 and attendance fluctuates but has averaged 40 attendees per month ranging in age from 11-18.
Twice a month booktalks are held at Central High School. These programs are now in their fourth year.
Twice a month booktalks are held at Grand Junction High School. These programs are now in their third year.
Quarterly programs at Family Tree School (an alternative middle school for students with special needs). This is the fifth year of booktalking at this facility.
Deposit collections. Currently deposit collections are maintained at Grand Mesa Correction Facility, Grand Junction High School, Family Tree, and Central High School.
PLANNED
Grand Mesa, Department of Youth Corrections. Institutional Units A and B. When funds are raised to purchase additional copies of books, booktalking programs will be added to serve on the two units in the facility housing youth who are on committed status.
Grand Mesa, Department of Youth Corrections. Detention Unit. Frequency of programs will be increased to bi-monthly.
Family Tree School. Frequency of programs will be increased to bi-monthly.
Booktalking programs will be added to several local high schools and middle schools that have requested them.
Booktalking programs will be offered to the Parrtners organization, Hilltop shelter, Teen-Moms School, School Without Walls, and R-5 Alternative High School.
Visits to reservations in the Four Corners Area to create alliances with Tribal officials to coordinate placement of deposit collections and present occasional booktalking programs.
Providing training sessions to foster care providers, teachers, case workers and counselors on ways they can help at-risk-youth improve literacy.