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As a teacher of high school English, I feel it is my job to be well read in young adult litera- ture. I have read a plethora of novels that deal with teenagers and the many problems they face. I remember in high school reading Ronnie Finkelhof, Superstar, by Alan W. Livingston, and then actually buying my own copy so I could read it again and again. I lost it in my university years and finally found a copy a few years ago. The novel is about a shy young boy who accidentally becomes an overnight sensation as a rock star but keeps his success a secret by hiding behind a façade. The novel becomes a satire about high school as everyone loves Spartacus (his alter-ego), yet no one knows Ronnie exists. The themes of fitting in and being true to yourself become abundantly clear as the novel progresses; the ending is surprising and honest as it concludes realistically with a far from rosy finale. When I was in high school, I related to this book on many fronts: I was a bit of an outcast, I wanted to date the hot cheerleaders and I wanted to be a rock star. The book allowed me to fantasize the what-ifs of life and love. Of course, that is what good books do; they make a connection to the reader.
The must-read "Connecting with Reluctant Readers" by Patrick Jones, Maureen L. Hartman and Patricia Taylor states that 43 % of boys don't read or only read what they have to, while 57% enjoy reading. Such numbers disprove the stereotype that boys won't read. The fact is boys will read if we put the right book in their hands. They need books with male protagonists, honesty and, most of all, books with characters and stories they can relate to. Teen author Laurie Halse Anderson says, "Teens are not 'reluctant' readers; they are 'discriminating' readers." Thus the real problem is most boys (and yes I know I am stereotyping here) will not go searching for a book they will enjoy; they often don't believe they will find a book they like because they have bought into the propaganda that boys don't read, or they have been force-fed outdated classics...