CCBC-Net Archives
RE: Lessons in Y.A. Literature
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Gardow, Pamela <pgardow_at_ecasd.k12.wi.us>
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:14:49 -0500
"It seems a given that a good young adult novel should tell a good story. B ut should it teach a lesson, too"
It seems that some parents, and those who really don't understand YA litera ture, want some type of moral or lesson in what they deem "good" novels for teens. Would we say, in a review or book recommendation, that a good adul t book should teach a lesson? Seems pretty condescending, doesn't it? I t hink adult attitudes toward teens can often be condescending as well.
To me, a great teen book tells a truth, allows teens to better understand t hemselves and their world through story and character, or just provides an entertaining escape through a fun or wonderfully told story. Teens do not like preachy, heavy handed, or didactic books. They do, however, love book s about real teens and real issues.
I think Deb Calletti's Stay allows teens to live vicariously through the te en character to better understand manipulative, controlling, and even obses sive behaviors and how they can masquerade as love. This can be seen as a "lesson," but dating abuse and controlling behavior by love interests are v ery real problems for many teens. When presented as a "moral" it is not ve ry effective. However, when it is woven into the fabric of realistic teen lives in a wonderfully told story, it can be very powerful. Our teens als o love books that explore world issues and problems for teens in other cult ures, too.
Some of the issue books that teens in my library love are:
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson Jersey Tomatoes are the Best by Maria Padian Black and White by Paul Volponi Dark Water by Laura McNeal Bruiser by Neal Shusterman I Am J by Cris Beam Cut by Patricia McCormick By the Time You Read this I'll Be Dead by Julie Ann Peters The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin Fall for anything by Courtney Summers Exposed by Kimberly Marcus Sold by Patricia McCormick A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Pam Gardow, LMS Memorial High School Eau Claire, WI
***************************************************************************
***
This email was scanned for viruses at the gateway of the Eau Claire Area Sc hool District (ECASD). ECASD is in no way responsible for the content of th is email or possible damage to your computer or network as a result of open ing it or any attachments associated with it. (PM2)
Received on Thu 18 Aug 2011 02:14:49 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:14:49 -0500
"It seems a given that a good young adult novel should tell a good story. B ut should it teach a lesson, too"
It seems that some parents, and those who really don't understand YA litera ture, want some type of moral or lesson in what they deem "good" novels for teens. Would we say, in a review or book recommendation, that a good adul t book should teach a lesson? Seems pretty condescending, doesn't it? I t hink adult attitudes toward teens can often be condescending as well.
To me, a great teen book tells a truth, allows teens to better understand t hemselves and their world through story and character, or just provides an entertaining escape through a fun or wonderfully told story. Teens do not like preachy, heavy handed, or didactic books. They do, however, love book s about real teens and real issues.
I think Deb Calletti's Stay allows teens to live vicariously through the te en character to better understand manipulative, controlling, and even obses sive behaviors and how they can masquerade as love. This can be seen as a "lesson," but dating abuse and controlling behavior by love interests are v ery real problems for many teens. When presented as a "moral" it is not ve ry effective. However, when it is woven into the fabric of realistic teen lives in a wonderfully told story, it can be very powerful. Our teens als o love books that explore world issues and problems for teens in other cult ures, too.
Some of the issue books that teens in my library love are:
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson Jersey Tomatoes are the Best by Maria Padian Black and White by Paul Volponi Dark Water by Laura McNeal Bruiser by Neal Shusterman I Am J by Cris Beam Cut by Patricia McCormick By the Time You Read this I'll Be Dead by Julie Ann Peters The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin Fall for anything by Courtney Summers Exposed by Kimberly Marcus Sold by Patricia McCormick A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Pam Gardow, LMS Memorial High School Eau Claire, WI
***************************************************************************
***
This email was scanned for viruses at the gateway of the Eau Claire Area Sc hool District (ECASD). ECASD is in no way responsible for the content of th is email or possible damage to your computer or network as a result of open ing it or any attachments associated with it. (PM2)
Received on Thu 18 Aug 2011 02:14:49 PM CDT
