AustLit

'I’ve been thinking lately about what a good review can offer readers, especially teachers who have so many demands on their time and limited opportunity to read the huge range of new texts available for their students in the classroom. Reviews can give a pointer to teachers about some texts that merit their attention. Obviously, an opinion is called for  – what is the appeal of this text and to whom may it appeal? I won’t waste your time on texts if I don’t think they will engage some of your students in the classroom. I can’t recommend texts which haven’t engaged me too, at some level. A brief idea of what happens, the style of writing or designing and the impact of the text written or created and perhaps some ideas on how it might be used in the classroom. With a much greater focus in classrooms today on student choice and voice about what they read and view it’s important to have a range of texts to capture their interests and enthusiasm. Not all these texts will work with all students, but there will be readers, and reluctant and disengaged ones as well, who will find something here that speaks to them.' (Introduction)