As a teacher of high school English, I would contend that this article is somewhat faulty. Don't get me wrong, some kids -are- reading a good deal. The problem, especially in urban areas or areas that are afflicted with issues such as poverty, drugs, and gang issues is that many of the youth don't have good role model readers and they some contend that it has no relevance to their lives. What I have seen in my classroom is not that they aren't reading, but that those who read are reading more than ever. Young adult books are high volume/high interest, but not high challenge literature and, therefore, if a young adult is truly plugged in with that genre, then they'll go through loads of it.
I foster independent reading and like to get away from my textbooks as much as possible. The kids seem to love it, too. When given the option of books they'd like to read, they mostly go for the young adult material. If there is a genre that is key to helping late blooming readers acquire the love of reading, I think this is probably a very important type to look into, not to contradict myself. I still stand by my earlier assertion, but unless you're a canon snob, you can see how these books appeal to elementary, middle, and high schoolers.
Relevant to current reading standards are some of these thoughts: Is it challenging, will it truly improve their reading level (or only keep it where it is at), is it truly literary (there's a slippery slope style question if there ever was one), and is it relevant to the world.
Relevant to reading for pleasure: Is it a book they can read and enjoy?
I suppose I prefer the latter standards, but current educational standards don't allow for that...I could rattle on for ages, but I'm going to terminate my thoughts here.
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