From Literature to Life:

Using a qualitative case study approach, this one year study describes the meanings that were created as 12 urban adolescent Latina girls responded to literature in a book group. It provides book group discourse examples and the girls'' poetry writing to illustrate the ideas that were initiated and the meanings that were constructed as a result of the girls collaborative talk. In particular, three salient themes emerged from the data sexuality, relationships, and culture. In discussing these three themes, the girls were encouraged to connect their experiences and prior knowledge to make sense of the literature and share these connections with the group, thereby bringing others into their sense-making. This study also showed that through their participation in book group, these girls had opportunities to practice essential literacy behaviors and create a literate community. In addition, as the girls applied their new-found confidence and passion for reading and writing in other contexts and shared books with their families and friends, their literate community extended beyond the borders of book group.

Autorentext

Dr. Ginger Goldman Malin is an Assistant Professor of Secondary Education at DePaul University in Chicago,IL. Her research focuses on how adolescents can best engage in literate practices. She uses this work to transform schools and other educational sites into places that inspire adolescents' creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking abilities.