Connecting Literature To Life And Life To Literature

This paper describes how a book group setting fostered the construction of meaning by 12 urban adolescent Latina girls as they responded to literature. Differing from the interactions seen in more traditional educational settings, this study examines the ways that this book group context encouraged the participants to discuss and write about issues related to their lives in order contemplate social and personal complexities, celebrate triumphs, and cope with tragedies. Furthermore, this paper explores the development of the literate meaning-making behaviors that helped the girls interpret textual messages and connect with each other as members of a literate community.