Linda M. Pavonetti, Ed.D.

Professor, Reading and Language Arts Department Chair

Research Interests

My major areas of research are children’s and young adult literature. Recently, I have been involved with these topics on an international level through my activities with the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) as well as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Currently, I am a member the American Library Association (ALA) Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) 2021 Newbery Award Selection Committee. We will determine who receives the medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published during calendar year 2020.

Previously, I served on the 2017 Pura Belpré Committee for the best work by a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator, the 2014 Mildred L. Batchelder Award committee for the most outstanding translated books, and the 2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award committee. I have also chaired (twice) the Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts, administered by the Children’s Literature Assembly (CLA) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).  I have also served on several children’s and young adult book committees for the Michigan Library Association (MLA).

Past Research Activities/Experience

• The implications of culturally mediated definitions of reading on motivation and pedagogy (dissertation)
• How Accelerated Reader ™ affects students reading motivation long-term
• How children and teachers perceive the art in international picture storybooks

Current Research Activities

Translated Literature for Children and Young Adults

Selected Publications

Pavonetti, L.M. (Ed.) (2011). Bridges to understanding: Envisioning the world through children’s books. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.

Pavonetti, L.M. (2011). Censorship, challenge, and choice. In A. W. Bedford & L. K. Albright (Eds.). A master class in children’s literature: Trends and issues in an evolving field (pp. 181-199). Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.

Pavonetti, L.M. (2007). The line between children's and young adult books. Pazhuhesh Nameh: The Research Quarterly of Children & Youth’s Literature, 12 (47), 88-94. (This article, published in Iran, is the translated adaptation of an article previously published in the Journal of Children’s Literature.)

Pavonetti, L.M. (2009). The Hero’s Quest: Analyzing Lois Lowry’s The Giver trilogy. In Oziewicz, M., Deszcz-Tryhubczak, J., & Zarzycka, A. (Eds.), Relevant across cultures: Visions of connectedness and world citizenship in modern fantasy for young readers (pp. 145-158). Wroclaw, Poland: ATUT Publishing House.

Pavonetti, L.M., Brimmer, K.M., & Cipielewski, J.F. (2002). Accelerated Reader^®: What are the lasting effects on the reading habits of middle school students exposed to Accelerated Reader^® in elementary grades? Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 46, 300-311.

Research Goals/Plans for Future Projects

A Case Study of the books received by the Newbery Award committee members

Workshops, In-Service Institutes, and Community Events

• Nonfiction books in the curriculum
• Historical view of Picture Storybooks
• Books to share with your grandchildren
• Best books of the year
• Literature of Diversity and Inclusion
• Read Aloud sessions with children in their classrooms or libraries
• Other topics of interest to your group can be discussed

Contact
pavonett@oakland.edu
(248) 370-4683
Vita available upon request