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Re: ccbc-net digest: July 11, 2014
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From: Barbara Binns <bab9660_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:06:01 -0700
I was at a presentation in May on a panel with two other YA authors in front of a group of high school students. The moderator asked the audience what they wanted to see in books that they were not finding.After some hesitation, as if the kids could not really believe they were being asked, two things came out. One, a request for books that showed parts of the world outside the US because everything they saw, even dystopian, happened here - that actually provoked a discussion about how little fiction they had about the rest of the world. The second request was for books that reflected what high school was really like. That discussion was on how little they saw their own lives reflected in the books on their library shelves. They don't mind the paranormal and the fantasy, but some, especially juniors and seniors, are saying they want more "real life" works but seem to be reluctant to voice that.
B A Binns What if you were the only one of your kind? Find out in Minority of One from AllTheColorsOfLove press
2012 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2012-13 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Nominee Stories of Real Boys Growing Into Real Menwebsite - http://www.babinns.com
On Saturday, July 12, 2014 12:09 AM, CCBC-Net digest <ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu> wrote:
CCBC-NET Digest for Friday, July 11, 2014.
1. Re: Reading Realism
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Subject: Re: Reading Realism From: Emily Townsend <etownsend_at_wisc.edu> Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:49:51 -0500 X-Message-Number: 1
I've realized one of my biases during this conversation on realistic fiction. I tend to think that teens and kids especially will prefer fantastic genres. In general, in reader's advisory with youth, I will recommend these genres over realistic fiction -- unless, of course, if a teen is specifically looking for something based in the real world or a realistic fiction novel matches the teen's interests.
Over and over, kids prove me wrong by choosing and loving realistic fiction. I know more than one teen who has read every book by Chris Crutcher or Walter Dean Myers or Coe Booth. Definitely, some challenging and emotional reading. Also, working with teens on a book trailer project this spring, all but one chose a realistic fiction or non-fiction book. I saw a huge teen reading audience this year for Rainbow Rowell's /Eleanor and Park/ and /Fan Girl/. And, I know many, many of us experienced the middle school girl obsession with a particular realistic fiction book (and movie) this spring.
Realistic fiction is all of the wonderful and difficult things that Megan, Merri, and Maggie mentioned. These books can be emotionally challenging to read. But, it has become obvious to me that they are enjoyed and in demand by teens.
Are others seeing a rise in popularity of -- or other reactions to -- realistic fiction with teens at their schools or libraries?
Emily Townsend, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:06:01 -0700
I was at a presentation in May on a panel with two other YA authors in front of a group of high school students. The moderator asked the audience what they wanted to see in books that they were not finding.After some hesitation, as if the kids could not really believe they were being asked, two things came out. One, a request for books that showed parts of the world outside the US because everything they saw, even dystopian, happened here - that actually provoked a discussion about how little fiction they had about the rest of the world. The second request was for books that reflected what high school was really like. That discussion was on how little they saw their own lives reflected in the books on their library shelves. They don't mind the paranormal and the fantasy, but some, especially juniors and seniors, are saying they want more "real life" works but seem to be reluctant to voice that.
B A Binns What if you were the only one of your kind? Find out in Minority of One from AllTheColorsOfLove press
2012 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2012-13 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Nominee Stories of Real Boys Growing Into Real Menwebsite - http://www.babinns.com
On Saturday, July 12, 2014 12:09 AM, CCBC-Net digest <ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu> wrote:
CCBC-NET Digest for Friday, July 11, 2014.
1. Re: Reading Realism
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Reading Realism From: Emily Townsend <etownsend_at_wisc.edu> Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:49:51 -0500 X-Message-Number: 1
I've realized one of my biases during this conversation on realistic fiction. I tend to think that teens and kids especially will prefer fantastic genres. In general, in reader's advisory with youth, I will recommend these genres over realistic fiction -- unless, of course, if a teen is specifically looking for something based in the real world or a realistic fiction novel matches the teen's interests.
Over and over, kids prove me wrong by choosing and loving realistic fiction. I know more than one teen who has read every book by Chris Crutcher or Walter Dean Myers or Coe Booth. Definitely, some challenging and emotional reading. Also, working with teens on a book trailer project this spring, all but one chose a realistic fiction or non-fiction book. I saw a huge teen reading audience this year for Rainbow Rowell's /Eleanor and Park/ and /Fan Girl/. And, I know many, many of us experienced the middle school girl obsession with a particular realistic fiction book (and movie) this spring.
Realistic fiction is all of the wonderful and difficult things that Megan, Merri, and Maggie mentioned. These books can be emotionally challenging to read. But, it has become obvious to me that they are enjoyed and in demand by teens.
Are others seeing a rise in popularity of -- or other reactions to -- realistic fiction with teens at their schools or libraries?
Emily Townsend, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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