Using Young Adult Literature to Work through Wobble Moments in Teacher Education

This insightful guide presents a fresh framework for teacher education, using young adult literature as a powerful tool for navigating the uncertainties of classroom instruction. Dawan Coombs demonstrates how literary response groups help preservice teachers analyze fictional depictions of teaching through narrative-based inquiry, transforming wobble moments into opportunities for professional growth. The book draws extensively on firsthand accounts from teacher candidates, grounding its methodology in authentic classroom experiences. By examining well-known YA texts, it provides concrete examples of how literature can illuminate the complexities of teaching practice.

What distinguishes this resource is its specific focus on young adult literature's unique capacity to mirror the adolescent experience that educators encounter daily. The text moves beyond theoretical discussion to offer practical strategies for implementing literary response groups within teacher preparation programs. Teacher educators will find invaluable methods for fostering reflective practice, while preservice teachers gain tools for developing resilience and pedagogical insight. This approach ultimately bridges the gap between literary analysis and classroom application, creating more thoughtful and responsive educators.