From: Monica Edinger <monicaedinger>
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 05:21:45 -0400

Faith and religion are so VERY important and arguably drives many other beliefs. However, I may be wrong, but it strikes me that publishing and promoting contemporary books centered around some of these beliefs may be too far for many. Or am I too far out here?

I've got at hand an interesting new book, Matthue Roth's NEVER MIND ABOUT THE GOLDBERGS which positions a young Orthodox Jew among others like herself who are creating a place for themselves as both devote and connected to a particular world of youth music, dress, and behavior.

However, the Roth book is not really quite what I'm thinking of. It provides a very heartfully told story from the inside, but it feels more culturally?sed than overly about faith. As for faith, religion, and such --- are there many books that really focus on that?
 Not historically, but today? I recollect a book from a few years back of a young girl who had visions and preached at her family's congregation, but not the title.

I can't claim to be terribly well-read in YA literature being a 4th grade teacher, but I get the sense that religion in the US is such a topic and underlies so many of the other disagreements that we have
(e.g. about sex in YA books, about politics) that it may be too far to be written or published? I'm not blaming anyone for this, just wonder if anyone agrees or if not, what books are there that are really focused on this --- YA books where the issue of religion and faith is central to the story?

Monica (off to ALA where I hope to have Internet connectivity in order to follow this thread)

Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at gmail.com
Received on Fri 24 Jun 2005 04:21:45 AM CDT