<p>English teachers really love talking about a novel&apos;s <em>themes</em>. But is that always a good thing? Should we just chill on the analysis sometimes? In this episode, Taylor and Tim discuss the pros and cons of focusing on larger themes of a text in an ELA classroom. Does it help kids get more out of reading? Or is it just a buzzkill? </p>

A husband and wife team --- comprised of a junior high Language Arts teacher and a children's librarian --- spend each episode discussing a current popular middle grade/young adult novel: Would kids like it? Should parents recommend it to their kids? How might an ELA teacher use it in their classroom? Tune into each episode to hear Tim and Taylor answer all these questions and more! In addition to discussions about specific novels, alternating episodes will feature conversations about various aspects of young adult reading. Questions or Comments? Reach out to Tim and Taylor at: whatarethekidsreadingthesedays@gmail.com

Discussion: "Does Discussing Books' Themes with Students Kill the Joy of Reading?"