This book is designed to aid teachers to inspire students in grades 5-9 to read and keep reading and is part of the "Oryx Reading Motivation Series". Chapter 1 discusses approaches, methods, techniques, and strategies in using literature approaches to motivate reading. Chapter 2 defines a thematic approach and its advantages and disadvantages; the origin of a theme; theme exploration, and theme groupings. Each of the remaining four chapters separately discuss thematic traits or characteristics; thematic life patterns; thematic symbolic representations; and thematic general truths and interactions in detail, and briefly cover several others related to a theme. The author chose sources and materials based on a specific set of guidelines: general literary quality and accuracy; availability; readability and interest levels; ethnic, racial and sex-role representation; availability of media support materials; and recommendations in reliable journals and guides. Suggested teaching methods for teaching specific themes, student activities, and professional and student resources are fully described throughout the book.