Literature circles promote social interaction and cooperative learning, help target various learning styles, and promote student inquiry. Reading groups encourage reluctant readers and allow the opportunity for students to read, write, think, and talk about what they are reading. This thesis project examines the effectiveness of using literature circles as an intervention to improve interest and understanding. It evaluates the importance of student motivation and comprehension on reading competencies. The research study was conducted on two six student groups in a fourth grade classroom – a test group and a control group. Students took a pre and post survey about their reading motivation and how they viewed themselves as readers. Prior to the study they were instructed on the idea of literature circles and their individual role within the groups, which were based on reading ability. Houghton Mifflin Comprehension worksheets that accompanied the reading selections were administered post group discussion to determine whether or not the literature circles increased student comprehension. Conclusions indicate an increased motivation and comprehension by students engaged in the literature circles.

Using young adult literature (YAL) as a tool to bring awareness to mental health can provide a solution for the concerning rise of mental health issues being experienced by adolescents. It is evident that students need guidance and conversations about dealing with struggles they face such as depression, suicide, sexuality, and bullying. In order to use YAL as an effective tool, educators need access to texts that include characters experiencing mental health and psychological issues. Along with training, educators need to know how to convey and connect the information within the texts due to the density of the topics being covered. Educators may also benefit from having a resource guide filled with texts, films, and poems to use as a means to address mental health and create awareness within the classroom and the school.