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edgy YA fiction - who read em
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From: Lynn Rutan <frutan>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2003 09:39:24 -0400
I have greatly enjoyed this fascinating discussion and have some observations from the students that I work with in two middle schools, 6th-9th grades, and a book discussion group with 30_at_ students 6th grade through 12th.
First, our teens are reading YA literature at a rate that we can barely keep up with. We have worked very hard with our staff and we booktalk on a regular basis to all four grades. The kids are eager and knowledgeable about their favorite authors and we have waiting lists for books that aren't even published yet. As they move up to our 8th and 9th grade building, we have included more and more of the "edgy" books and when we booktalk them, we mention some of the issues that they may find in the books.
We used to lose many of our better readers to adult fiction at the 8th-9th grade level. But the sheer quality of the writing and the courage of the authors to honestly address issues important to teens is keeping them firmly in YA in our schools. Are many of the edgy books grim? Absolutely! But many of our teens lead grim lives or watch their classmates leading lives I would not have believed when I was a teen. We are in a suburban district yet we have a significant number of kids on parole, in class on electronic tethers, sexually active and/or experimenting with drugs or alcohol at the middle school level. YA literature reflects what they or their classmates are living. The edgy books also reflect possible choices, consequences for behaviors and quite often, hope.
I have many high school students who return to my 8th-9th grade building to check out books because our high school library does not buy much YA literature and they are still anxious to read the books. I think that speaks highly of the power of YA literature today.
I also think it is important not to underestimate either the critical analysis or the selection skills of our students. I feel very strongly that students are very good about knowing what is appropriate for their comfort level. Teens are much more discerning than we give them credit for and they are excellent judges of what they are ready to read. I think they are also not likely to be fooled by the inclusion of gratuitous sex or violence for effect.
Do all of our teens like "edgy" books? No. Many of our teens love fantasy and science fiction, I think because they often have happy endings. (If I wish for anything in YA, it is for more books that combine sophisticated structures and themes with humor.)
But I am in awe of what is being written for teens. YA literature offers teens some of the most innovative and exciting writing being done today. And the "edgier" books offer our older teens books that speak to them specifically. I welcome every tool that keeps kids reading!
Lynn Rutan Librarian Macatawa Bay School Holland, MI
Received on Tue 20 May 2003 08:39:24 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 20 May 2003 09:39:24 -0400
I have greatly enjoyed this fascinating discussion and have some observations from the students that I work with in two middle schools, 6th-9th grades, and a book discussion group with 30_at_ students 6th grade through 12th.
First, our teens are reading YA literature at a rate that we can barely keep up with. We have worked very hard with our staff and we booktalk on a regular basis to all four grades. The kids are eager and knowledgeable about their favorite authors and we have waiting lists for books that aren't even published yet. As they move up to our 8th and 9th grade building, we have included more and more of the "edgy" books and when we booktalk them, we mention some of the issues that they may find in the books.
We used to lose many of our better readers to adult fiction at the 8th-9th grade level. But the sheer quality of the writing and the courage of the authors to honestly address issues important to teens is keeping them firmly in YA in our schools. Are many of the edgy books grim? Absolutely! But many of our teens lead grim lives or watch their classmates leading lives I would not have believed when I was a teen. We are in a suburban district yet we have a significant number of kids on parole, in class on electronic tethers, sexually active and/or experimenting with drugs or alcohol at the middle school level. YA literature reflects what they or their classmates are living. The edgy books also reflect possible choices, consequences for behaviors and quite often, hope.
I have many high school students who return to my 8th-9th grade building to check out books because our high school library does not buy much YA literature and they are still anxious to read the books. I think that speaks highly of the power of YA literature today.
I also think it is important not to underestimate either the critical analysis or the selection skills of our students. I feel very strongly that students are very good about knowing what is appropriate for their comfort level. Teens are much more discerning than we give them credit for and they are excellent judges of what they are ready to read. I think they are also not likely to be fooled by the inclusion of gratuitous sex or violence for effect.
Do all of our teens like "edgy" books? No. Many of our teens love fantasy and science fiction, I think because they often have happy endings. (If I wish for anything in YA, it is for more books that combine sophisticated structures and themes with humor.)
But I am in awe of what is being written for teens. YA literature offers teens some of the most innovative and exciting writing being done today. And the "edgier" books offer our older teens books that speak to them specifically. I welcome every tool that keeps kids reading!
Lynn Rutan Librarian Macatawa Bay School Holland, MI
Received on Tue 20 May 2003 08:39:24 AM CDT
