Book Selection Research Articles

Heatmaps: A Tool for Studying Book Selection Preferences on Discovery Platforms

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the usefulness of heatmaps in understanding user preferences during book selection in online discovery platforms. It compares two heatmaps generated from user clicks and eye‐tracking data to identify key metadata influencing readers' choices. Initial results indicate that click heatmaps can be a useful tool for this type of investigation, especially considering the cost of eye‐tracking, which is typically used to generate attention heatmaps.

Reading well for dementia – how can reading support people affected by dementia?

The Reading Agency’s Reading Well for dementia scheme is an evidence-based curated collection of books and resources to support the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia, their carers and family members, including younger children. This paper explores the evidence-based methodology behind the development of the scheme, including how people with lived experience were involved in the co-production and book selection processes. It will also examine the evidence on the benefits of reading to those affected by dementia, and the impact that Reading Well for dementia has already had on those accessing the scheme.

그림책을 활용한 초등학교 1학년 한글 교육에 대한 교사의 경험

The purpose of this study is to investigate educational values and possibilities of application by analyzing teacher’s experiences in teaching Hangeul using picture books to first grade elementary school students. The participant is teacher A working at Seoul B Elementary School. This study conducted the procedures of curriculum analysis, picture book selection, and making Hangeul lesson plans using picture books from February 20th to March 31st, 2023, and implemented lessons for a total of 16 times from April 3rd to May 19th, June 12th to June 27th, 2023. Data were collected and analyzed qualitative data such as interviews, teacher journals, activity results, and photos. The results are as follows. The teacher experienced lessons that had students focused regardless of their individual differences, were playful rather than academic, facilitated voluntary reading and writing, had the teacher fun and excitement, had fellow teachers want to apply lessons and required sufficient number of class hours and assistants. In conclusion, this study is meaningful in that Hangeul education using picture books has educational significance to both teachers and students and it is a practical and effective teaching-learning method in school.

Representations of Astronomy in Children’s Picture Books

This study examines how astronomy is portrayed in children’s picture books, selected from notable book lists, published between 2001-2021. Selected books (N=32) were analyzed in terms of how they portray the practices of science, using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as a framework. We also analyzed the gender, age, and race of the main characters. Few books among the selection portrayed characters engaged in a scientific investigation, and many of the books had scientific inaccuracies in the story and/or illustrations. NGSS science practices appeared in less than half of the selected books, and this was primarily the practice of asking questions. The main characters were close to evenly split between male and female, and most main characters were children. When the selection of books from Diverse Book Finder was included, the racial background of human main characters was close to even between white and persons of color. However, without Diverse Book Finder, racial diversity in the sample was greatly reduced. Currently, astronomy picture books provide limited support for the Next Generation Science Standards in terms of how they convey science practices. In addition, teachers may have difficulty locating books that portray racially diverse characters engaged in astronomical phenomena.

EVALUATING INDONESIAN HERO STORIES FEATURED IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

This study delves into elementary school teachers’ evaluation of children’s books featuring Indonesian national heroes. Despite the significant roles of historical figures picturebooks, research on how teachers incorporate it as useful resources in teaching is limited. In fact, the availability of quality historical fiction picturebooks that portray stories of national heroes in Indonesia is also scarce. Through snowballing technique, 25 teachers voluntarily participated. Through an online questionnaire, they were asked to provide their opinion about three Indonesian hero storybooks, which include (1) Aku Kartini [I am Kartini], (2) Wahidin Soedirohoesodo Sang Dokter Bangsa [Wahidin Soedirohoesodo the Doctor of The Nation], and (3) Menyusuri Tempat Tinggal Srikandi Aceh Cut Nyak Meutia [Strolling the Residence of an Acehnese Heroine Cut Nyak Meutia]. The participants were asked to examine aspects like text complexity, plot, illustration, moral values, and pedagogical strategies for classroom implementation. The data were analyzed qualitatively to describe the teachers’ evaluation on the quality of the books. The findings emphasize the significance of continuous teachers’ professional development, especially in book selection and utilization. The consensus surrounding Book #1 “Aku Kartini” suggests its potential as a valuable resource for teaching national heroes, as well as a model of quality historical fiction picturebook. We argue that adult’s evaluation, particularly teachers, in selecting books for children to read, play a pivotal role both in the children and in the practice of teaching.

Commemorating festive performances in popular print in sixteenth‐century Italy☆

AbstractThe aim of this article is to show that the popular print sold and distributed during and after festive events, such as Carnival, had an impact on the commemoration and shaping of festive culture in early modern Italy. That is, the mass medium of print that had begun to shape European cultures, especially in Italy where Venice was one of Europe's first major printing centres, created festive pamphlets and small books that were attractive for individuals in various cities in Northern and Central Italy. This becomes apparent not only from the sources themselves but also from the connections that exist between these sources and historical and theatrical contexts. A study of popular print related to festive events addresses the most important criticisms of festival studies, namely that festivals were primarily local affairs, which would prevent researchers from making a meaningful contribution to festive culture studies on a larger scale. This article aims to overcome this by studying a selection of affordable pamphlets and small books, presenting the Carnivalesque text La guerra di Carnovale contro la Quaresima, which was intended for large audiences.

Analisis Miskonsepsi Buku Teks Biologi Kurikulum 2013 Kelas X di SMAS Teladan Medan pada Materi Virus dan Monera

Books are a key element in the education system that helps deliver the curriculum and facilitate the learning process of students and teachers. Books provide learning resources that are easily accessible and can be adapted to students' needs. It plays an important role in learning, curriculum, and instruction in developing countries like Indonesia. However, careless selection of books can cause misconceptions in students, which can affect learning outcomes. Therefore, it is important to choose books that suit the curriculum and are able to convey concepts appropriately. Various assessments have been proposed to assess the quality of textbooks, including clarity of concepts, relevance to the curriculum, and ability to increase students' enthusiasm for learning. Misconceptions often arise from textbooks that are incorrect and not in accordance with the established curriculum, so analysis needs to be carried out to update the book. Descriptive research methods were used to analyze misconceptions in the 2013 Curriculum class This research highlights the importance of choosing textbooks that are accurate and in accordance with curriculum standards to prevent student misconceptions in biology learning.

Exploring Interactive Read Aloud Literacy Learning and Quality Books in the Merdeka Curriculum

The Indonesian government issued a policy on teacher literacy teaching competency standards, which includes teachers' ability to help students access, use, interpret and communicate information and ideas through various texts according to students' characteristics and needs (Ministry of Education, 2022a). This study aims to promote reading aloud and interactive book selection in literacy learning for public primary school teachers in Depok, West Java, Indonesia. This qualitative case study explored teachers' understandings and practices in selecting books and integrating reading aloud activities with learning outcomes in Merdeka Curriculum. Six teachers participated in the study, which involved data collection through surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews, observations and oral reflections. Using manual thematic data analysis, this study focused on teachers' practices of selecting leveled books and integrating discussions in reading aloud with Learning Outcomes. The results showed that teachers began to express their understanding of book selection. Major themes that emerged included the importance of selecting quality books and the challenges of selecting quality books. In the context of literacy learning, several themes also emerged that became teachers' reflections in conducting interactive read aloud activities in accordance with the learning outcomes, namely; benefits, awareness for better classroom preparation, interactive discussion spaces and continuous training.

Do Preschool Children Access Quality Books? Reading Culture of Parents and Teachers and Book Selection for Children

This correlational study aimed to evaluate the reading cultures of preschool teachers and parents of 3–6-year-old children, and their book selection criteria for preschool children. For this purpose, data were collected from 242 preschool teachers and 247 parents who voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were asked to evaluate their own reading culture and book selection criteria for their preschool children through measurement tools. They were then asked to send them to other parents and teachers they knew through snowball sampling. As a result of the analyses, it was found that there was a positive correlation between both parents' and preschool teachers' reading for individual development, basic reading skills, book choices for themselves and reading culture total scores and physical characteristics, language and character, content and total children's book selection criteria scores. In the light of the findings, suggestions were made to parents and teachers about creating a reading culture and selecting quality books.

STUDI KASUS PEMANFAATAN POJOK LITERASI PRAKTIK DEAR DI SMPN 5 KEPANJEN (KETERAMPILAN MEMBACA KRITIS SISWA)

This study aims to examine school efforts in instilling a culture of literacy and practice of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) at SMPN 5 Kepanjen with critical reading skills, the benefits obtained from the literacy corner in class, the obstacles in practicing DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) and the utilization of the corner literacy that has not had an impact on students in SMP Negeri 5 Kepanjen classes and solutions to related obstacles in optimizing the use of class literacy corners at SMP Negeri 5 Kepanjen. This qualitative research uses a phenomenological type. The research informants involved all school members, namely students, teachers and the principal of SMPN 5 Kepanjen. The results of the study show that the school is trying to instill a culture of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read), which must be done every day by students at SMP Negeri 5 Kepanjen. By habituating students to visit literacy corners, creating literacy activity programs, applying critical reading skill and trying to bring in publishers to offer a wide selection of reading books to students to be used in literacy corners as literacy materials. The reading corner functions to create a new classroom atmosphere, can also be used as a place for casual reading, fosters student creativity and can be used as a place to channel hobbies. In addition, students enjoy reading under the guidance of the teacher, because they can learn and share ideas and experiences while learning. The obstacle to optimizing the function of the literacy corner is the low introduction of a reading culture, the solution to optimizing the function of the literacy corner is that the teacher participates in providing books to be read by students, adapts to the needs of students in class and tries to complete a collection of various readings, so that when students read they do not seem boring. When they are in the literacy corner, carrying out DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) activities can create critical thinking so that they finally like reading activities.

Controversy as Currency: An Investigation into the Economy and Politics of Literary Prizes

Literary prizes, while providing legitimacy of artistic excellence to authors, are delicately poised in modern prize culture. They must maintain a balance between the artistic merit of literature and the health of the economic capital of the publishing industry and sponsors. This paper meticulously examines the myriad proliferation of literary prizes and the convergence of its intricacies— the process of nomination and selection, sponsorships, promotion, media coverage of the award ceremony, celebratory nature of the occasion, the climactic drama of acceptance speech, and controversy— to characterize the centrality of economic force at play. It reflects the dependency of art form’s flourishing and sustenance on the logic of the economic marketplace. Through a close analysis of the controversial selection of certain authors and particular books, the paper looks at the epiphenomena of prestigious literary prizes to demonstrate a classic working of the neoliberal market outcome of controversy as publicity/currency, which not only brings about manufacturing of aura for controversial writers as celebrities but simultaneously radiates its effect on the demand value of their literary products and investing participants. It concludes that centrifugal dissemination and consumption of mediatised controversy events across national and international borders generates a centripetal concentration of socio-economic capital for writers, publishers and sponsors.

Whose Christianity? The influence of a majority culture in Swedish textbooks

ABSTRACT Christian plurality is challenging for a religious education teacher in a classroom of students with different orientations of Christianity, not least due to immigration. As Christianity represents an essential component of the majority culture in many European countries, in this study we examine how it is represented in religious education textbooks used in upper secondary schools in Sweden. The purpose is to examine how liberal Christianity is shaped in the textbooks and the possible implications for educating citizens in a plural society. The selection of books is based on those used by religious education teachers in Sweden. The results show a tendency towards a modernised liberal Christianity, the implications of which are discussed in relation to the significance of religions and worldviews in education for social cohesion.

A Welcome from the New Book Reviews Editors

We have recently taken over as Book Reviews editors for Migration and Society and wanted to use this opportunity to introduce ourselves, as well as the rich selection of books reviewed in this current issue. As the co-editors of this section, we will prioritize book reviews that are critical in their approach and aligned with the ethos of the journal. We seek to represent diversity in our field and encourage readers, publishers, and authors to share with us books that straddle multiple disciplines, epistemologies, and methodological approaches that can provide our readers with a range of critical perspectives to understand migration and the societies we live in.

Book’s Haven

Background: In the contemporary book retail industry, traditional bookstores face significant challenges due to the rise of digital media and online shopping. Book's Haven, a prominent independent bookstore, has managed to defy these trends by creating a unique and sustainable business model that emphasizes community engagement, personalized customer service, and a curated selection of books and literary events. Scope: This research paper delves into the strategies employed by Book's Haven to remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly digital market. The study examines the store's approach to blending physical and digital experiences, its efforts to foster a loyal customer base through community-oriented events, and its innovative use of social media and online platforms to enhance visibility and customer interaction. Additionally, the paper explores how Book's Haven collaborates with local authors, artists, and educators to enrich the cultural fabric of the community. Through a comprehensive analysis of these elements, the paper aims to provide insights into best practices for independent bookstores striving to thrive amidst the challenges of the digital age.

A Content Analysis of Picture Books Read During Drag Storytimes in Public Libraries

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the extent to which picture books read during drag storytimes in the United States include representations of diversity. One hundred and three picture books were analyzed via content analysis. The findings demonstrate that while the lead characters/subjects in picture books read during drag storytimes are primarily white, cisgender, heterosexual and able-bodied, there is greater representation of diversity when non-lead characters/subjects are considered. These findings indicate that while those involved in planning and implementing drag storytimes have attended somewhat to issues of diversity in their picture book selections, there is still room for improvement.

Prepping as implicit activism: risk, danger, and post-capitalist imaginaries in prepper literature

ABSTRACT This paper explores the increasingly widespread practice of prepping, and examines how it differs from conventional forms of activism, which generally involve explicit and purposeful efforts to instigate collective social change. Drawing on Luhmann’s sociological theory of risk and the narrative concept of foreshadowing, the paper explores how preppers understand the future and their own responsibility in shaping it, as well as the ways in which their visions of the future show up in the present. The paper argues that while the practice of prepping may appear apolitical and perhaps even asocial at a first glance, its political potential lies in the implicit and largely unintended performative consequences that arise from popularizing and proliferating the idea of a potential alternative to capitalism. Consequently, the paper demonstrates how ‘taking the future seriously’, much like conventional activist movements, albeit within the context of viewing the future as dangerous as opposed to risky, can have performative effects that may ultimately function as a form of ‘implicit activism’. This implicit activism could potentially prove as, if not more, effective in terms of challenging the hegemony of neoliberal capitalism. Considering this, we argue that social movement scholars and activists could benefit from a more profound engagement with the practice of prepping. Empirically, the paper draws on a selection of popular self-help books on prepping.

Selection of Library Materials in the University Libraries of Pakistan: A Survey of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Selection process is naturally at the heart of collection development. Sound book selection policies and practices devised from the information needs of the users’ community play a fundamental role in the development of strong collection. This current study was an attempt to investigate the selection policies and procedures adopted by, the activities and behaviors exhibited by, and the outcomes produced by the university libraries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study adopted a survey method and included all those well-established public and private sector universities, which were chartered by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recognized by HEC, till 31st December, 2012 in the province (Public = 17 and Private = 9, Total 26 universities). The population of this study was the senior library professionals working in the central libraries of the main campuses of all the universities of the province. Findings of the study show that university libraries of the province adopt a variety of methods for selecting library materials including selection through purchase committees, centralized selection by the central libraries and decentralized selection. However, centralized selection procedures with faculty influence is more prominent and dominating in all the universities of the province. The study suggested a dire need of collaboration between faculty and library professionals for effective collection development in the university libraries of Pakistan.

Guarding against book challenges with professionalism and confidence

Teaching literacy skills through high-quality trade books that provide diverse cultural perspectives is increasingly difficult due to challenges to teachers’ book selections. To meet their professional responsibilities, teachers must select literature they judge effective for developing students’ awareness and understanding of others’ perspectives. Adriana L. Medina, Rachelle Kuehl, and Edwina Pendarvis discuss how teachers can prepare for challenges by relying on learning standards, consulting book awards lists, and building trust with families. They offer methods for navigating controversy while fostering social responsibility and global competencies and protecting students’ access to literature that teaches perspective-taking and promotes understanding of people with differing backgrounds, experiences, and societal contributions.

Reading, Discussing, and Sharing: Creation of a Vibrant Transnational Online Learning Community through the International Book Club

The present paper reports on the findings from the first four years of an ongoing, longitudinal study which examines the experiences and perceptions of Polish college participants in the International Book Club, an extension of a campus common read program at an American university. More specifically, the paper examines participants’ experiences with the book, both inside and outside the classroom, and examines their opinions about the issues discussed in each year’s book selection, their attitudes toward that issue and whether or not their attitude toward the issue was changed through this experience, their attitudes toward public discussions and whether or not their attitude toward public discussions was changed through this experience, and whether or not reading the book and participating in the club helped to improve their English-speaking abilities. Quantitative data, in the form of a nine-statement survey, and qualitative data, in the form of a nine-question open-ended questionnaire, were collected and analyzed. While a great deal of the literature on common read programs has explored the experiences of participants within the North American context, there is a dearth of research outside of that context, including the Polish context. The present study attempts to ameliorate this situation. The main findings from the study show that, overall, participants enjoyed the experience of reading the book and that participation in the program has been beneficial for them, including getting them to read more, to engage in discussions more, to think more deeply about more diverse topics and issues, and perhaps most importantly, to im­prove their English language abilities.

Exploring Cross-Cultural Representations: French Children's Literature and Australian Indigenous Culture

Duncan’s article complements the work of Castejon with its analysis of the representation of Aboriginal art and culture in a selection of French books for children which often still reinforce colonial stereotypes.