From: WAY Vicki Kouchnerkavich <wayvk_at_henikalibrary.org>
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:41:29 -0400

I cannot wait to see the discussion on this topic.

I have to say this is my favorite genre for teens. I remember the first series I read in this genre - the Tomorrow Series - with the first book: Tomorrow when the War Began by John Marsden. This series involved an unsaid country invading Australia. I think over the years technology has been incorporated somewhat more in these books even though the Tripod Series included it.

This genre involves what if’s, almost end of the world scenarios, and nightmarish plots that almost always disallow a teen to be a teen. For me that is the draw. When I was a teen, could I have become the adult in that circumstance? As adult now, could I survive these horrific, challenging, situations? I think teens who read this genre, do the same thing or admire the characters who fight to survive. This genre involves survival, being brave/heroic, darkness, and hope - this sounds a bit like my favorite reality tv show "Survivor"! Now that I think about it my favorite tv shows from my childhood (yes I am dating myself) were Lost in Space and Star Trek. While these were mainly Sci-Fi oriented they still involved the same themes.

I am a part of a Teen Reader's Advisory in Sept. for my library cooperative and my focus is on this genre. I selected my some of my favorite books for this: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman Life as we Knew by Susan Pfeffer How I live Now by Meg Rosen Gone by Michael Grant

There are so many other fantastic books in this genre that I didn't choose to be a part of my RA such as: House of Scorpion, Forest of Hands and Teeth, City of Ember. I could go on and on....

Vicki Kouchnerkavich Henika District Library (AW) Youth Services Supervisor 149 S. Main St. Wayland, MI 49348 269-792-2891
Received on Mon 09 Aug 2010 10:41:29 AM CDT