Reading

[Photo: Reading by Moyan Brenn. License CC.]

With young adult literature books such as The Hunger Games and The Fault in Our Stars, regularly burning up the bestseller list, we can’t help but ask ourselves the question: “What is YA Lit?” Well, as said by G. Robert Carlsen (1980), “young-adult literature is the literature wherein the protagonist is either a teenager or one who approaches problems from a teenage perspective.” Though generally written for a teenage reader, such novels -like all fine literature- address the entire spectrum of life.

Since the publication success of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, contemporary Young Adult (YA) literature has seen a rise in its appreciation by those who, in the past, might not have given it a second glance. However, contemporary works of YA Lit tend to be labeled as a secondary category of childlike storytelling—didactic in nature—and unworthy of serious literary evaluation.  In spite of the constant criticism YA Lit faces, it is still literature worth reading. After all, the books labeled as YA Lit, have strong voices, formative stories, they take on topics not always tackled elsewhere, and the topics are always accompanied by a little hope.

Like the author Shannon Peterson said, “People aren’t only reading YA Literature to relieve their teen moments. They are reading it, because it’s so interesting to see what happens when there is all of that living, emotion and the heaviness of all that emotion, without the experience. That’s such a terrible and beautiful thing to witness.”

Bibliography

1. DEFENDING YA LITERATURE: VOICES OF STUDENTS. (2002). English Journal, 92(1), 114.

Presents a collection of excerpts from a virtual class discussion that students had on a literature course. Arguments in support of young adult (YA) literature; Characteristics of YA literature; Factors that make YA literature important.

2.       Bodart, J. R. (2006). Books that Help, Books that Heal: Dealing with Controversy in YA Literature. (cover story). Young Adult Library Services, 5(1), 31-34.

The article focuses on the controversy in young adult literature. According to the author, the books that are being written today for teens, are designed to assist them cope with the time and culture in which they are approaching adulthood.

3.       Salvner, G. M. (2007). The Case for Young Adult Literature. Ohio Journal Of English Language Arts, 47(2), 56-60.

The article explains the reasons behind the importance of reading young adult literature. Young adult novels make for great reading because they are thought-provoking and affecting.

4.       Koss, M. D., & Teale, W. H. (2009). What’s Happening in YA Literature? Trends in Books for Adolescents. Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 52(7), 563-572.

The article discusses a study examining trends in the genres, subject matter and writing styles of young adult (YA) books. The authors discuss the increased market for YA literature due to a stronger focus on adolescent literacy.

5.       Iyer, N. (2011). She Reads You YA YA YA! Herizons, 25(1), 20-23.

The article focuses on the implications of fiction writing or novels on young adults (YA). It notes that YA literature can play a special role in the life of young people.

6.       Avoli-Miller, K. (2013). YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM. Library Media Connection, 32(3), 16-18.

It addresses the connection between YA literature and children’s sense of place in the world, creating an excitement for reading in youth, and teaching students to make connections between literature and complex social phenomena.

7.      Green, J. (2014). Does YA Mean Anything Anymore?: Genre in a Digitized World. Horn Book Magazine, 90(6), 15-25.

John Green explores the genre of young adult (YA) literature and discusses the reasons fiction remains relevant to the lives of children and teenagers.

 

8.       Hill, C. (2014). The Critical Merits of Young Adult Literature : Coming of Age. New York, NY: Routledge.

This examination of the literary effectiveness of young adult literature from a critical, research-oriented perspective answers two key questions asked by many teachers and scholars in the field: Does young adult literature stand up on its own as literature? Is it worthy of close study?

9.       Diaz, S. M. (2015). YA’s Long Reach. (Cover story). School Library Journal, 61(11), 22-25.

The article discusses the popularity of young adult literature. Particular focus is given to the increase in interest of publishers in the literature after the success of fantasy novels “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” and the need for publishing companies to market young adult literature to teenagers instead of adults.

 

10.   Roberts, M. (2013). Teaching Young Adult Literature: YA Literature Belongs in the Classroom Because. English Journal, 102(5), 89-90.

In this column, young adult literature authors, share their thoughts on why YA Lit belongs in the classrooms.

 

WEB References:

1. Emily Rodríguez // Sec. 3

VanderStaay, S. (1992). Young-Adult Literature: A Writer Strikes the Genre. The English Journal, 81(4), 48-52. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/819930

The article presents information on why should YA Lit be incorporated in classrooms. It also reviews current materials of interest to English teachers, including books and electronic media.

    • Currency: 1
    • Relevance:3
    • Authority:3
    • Accuracy:3
    • Purpose:3
    • TOTAL= 13

2.       Emily Rodríguez // Sec.3

Owen, M. (2003). Developing a Love of Reading:  Why Young Adult Literature is Important. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/YA_Overview___Motivation.pdf                    

Discusses the importance of young adult literature (definition; debates   on its value; characteristics; contributions of Australian authors to YA Lit; and the future of YA).

  • Currency: 2
  • Relevance:3
  • Authority:3
  • Accuracy:3
  • Purpose:3
  • TOTAL= 14

3. Emily Rodríguez // Sec.3

Daniels, C.L. (2006). Literary Theory and Young Adult Literature: The Open Frontier in Critical Studies. The ALAN Review. Retrieved from https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v33n2/daniels.pdf                                                   

The article presents the differing viewpoints of critics, on the value and importance of YA literature.

  • Currency: 2
  • Relevance:3
  • Authority:3
  • Accuracy:3
  • Purpose:3
  • TOTAL= 14

 

4. Emily Rodríguez // Sec.3

Cart, M. (2008). The Value of Young Adult Literature. Adopted by Young Adult Library Service Association’s Board of Directors. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/whitepapers/yalit                                                      

Discusses the nature and evolution of young adult literature with particular emphasis on its current condition and its value to its intended readership.  

  • Currency: 3
  • Relevance:3
  • Authority:3
  • Accuracy:3
  •  Purpose:3
  • TOTAL=15

5. Emily Rodríguez // Sec.3

Strickland, A. (2015). A brief history of young adult literature. CNN. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/15/living/young-adult-fiction-evolution/

The story highlights the golden ages of young  adult fiction. It also establishes that teens like YA Lit, because they are drawn to emotion and shared experiences.

  • Currency: 3
  • Relevance:3
  • Authority:2
  • Accuracy:2
  • Purpose:3
  • TOTAL=13