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Sex and Sexuality in YA Lit- Andrew Smith
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From: Claudia Haines <CHaines_at_ci.homer.ak.us>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:53:58 +0000
Thanks to everyone for your comments so far.
Sex and Sexuality in YA Lit is an interesting topic and one I have been thinking a lot about lately while reading Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith. I find Smith's writing and his characters' perspectives very refreshing even if heart-wrenching. Grasshopper Jungle, however, made me laugh a lot, eve= n during the main character's emotional struggle with his sexuality. Smith addresses teen sexuality from the male perspective in each of his novels in what I think is a unique way, a way that I am still trying to define. He embeds the issues of sexuality in a much broader context, much like it is in real life. For example, masturbation is not the focus of Smith's most recent book, but Austin's issues with constant arousal color the book providing the perfect lens through which to see Austin's life. It still makes me laugh to think of Austin's constant almost hourly obsession with sex even while he is dealing with the giant attacking insects and the end of the world. I especially appreciate Smith's inclusion of gay teen boys in his most recent books. He does it in a way that normalizes, for lack of a better word, the gay experience.
If you've read any of Smith's books, what do you think about them? Do you think the teen male's perspective about sex and sexuality is lacking in YA Lit? Do you think gay teens appreciate Smith's writing and characters?
Claudia
Claudia Haines, MLIS Youth Services Librarian Homer Public Library 500 Hazel Ave. Homer, Alaska 99603 www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library<http://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library> Facebook: Homer Public Library<http://www.facebook.com/homerpubliclibrary> Twitter: _at_homerlibraryak 907.435.3176 (direct) 907.235.3180 (main)
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Received on Tue 11 Mar 2014 07:54:27 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:53:58 +0000
Thanks to everyone for your comments so far.
Sex and Sexuality in YA Lit is an interesting topic and one I have been thinking a lot about lately while reading Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith. I find Smith's writing and his characters' perspectives very refreshing even if heart-wrenching. Grasshopper Jungle, however, made me laugh a lot, eve= n during the main character's emotional struggle with his sexuality. Smith addresses teen sexuality from the male perspective in each of his novels in what I think is a unique way, a way that I am still trying to define. He embeds the issues of sexuality in a much broader context, much like it is in real life. For example, masturbation is not the focus of Smith's most recent book, but Austin's issues with constant arousal color the book providing the perfect lens through which to see Austin's life. It still makes me laugh to think of Austin's constant almost hourly obsession with sex even while he is dealing with the giant attacking insects and the end of the world. I especially appreciate Smith's inclusion of gay teen boys in his most recent books. He does it in a way that normalizes, for lack of a better word, the gay experience.
If you've read any of Smith's books, what do you think about them? Do you think the teen male's perspective about sex and sexuality is lacking in YA Lit? Do you think gay teens appreciate Smith's writing and characters?
Claudia
Claudia Haines, MLIS Youth Services Librarian Homer Public Library 500 Hazel Ave. Homer, Alaska 99603 www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library<http://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library> Facebook: Homer Public Library<http://www.facebook.com/homerpubliclibrary> Twitter: _at_homerlibraryak 907.435.3176 (direct) 907.235.3180 (main)
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Received on Tue 11 Mar 2014 07:54:27 PM CDT
