| his study analyzed books that were most often selected as state award winners by third through eighth grade students during the years 1981 to 1996. Six templates were used to examine the texts and identify the common attributes and patterns present within the popular books. The six templates designed for use in this investigation include: (1) the format and physical features of the books, (2) Applebee's Vygotskian schema for describing text structure, (3) the presence of Havighurst's developmental tasks of middle childhood, (4) literary features, (5) the content and genre of the books, and (6) genre-specific criteria for excellence developed by children's literature experts. The novels were analyzed, and sixteen common attributes emerged among the books.;The novels most often contained explicit themes that were reflective of the same social and psychological issues present in the lives of young readers: sense of belonging, independence, conflict among generations, and family relationships. Most books included elements of suspense with well-developed, single focal characters who engaged in conflict that was always resolved satisfactorily.;Further research using the templates is suggested along with investigations that may reveal how story schema is related to reader enjoyment.;The analysis suggested that third through eighth grade students are interested in: (1) fictional books that contain realistic plots, (2) single focal characters, (3) integral, contemporary settings, (4) well-developed characters who are ten to twelve years of age, (5) first person or omniscient narrators, (6) informal and conversational writing styles, (7) memorable language, (8) the presence of conflict that might be described as (9) person-against-person, (10) satisfactory conflict resolution, (11) episodic plot structure, (12) explicitly-stated themes that relate to family life and personal growth, (13) readability that is at the third or fourth grade level, (14) books of 160 pages, (15) books that are... |
