If you have been involved in the YA scholarly community for any length of time, you probably have met Mary Warner. Conversations with Mary are always interesting. I learn something new every time. As a result, my commitment to teaching my students and diving into more YA literature is renewed. Mary has contributed to the blog before. She wrote about using Karen Hesse’s Witness in a classroom setting and you can revisit her post here. This time she reports on how her students, from the current semester, learned about and embraced young adult literature. Many of us value and try to incorporate young adult literature; nevertheless, many of our preservice teachers are initially reluctant to see YA as an appropriate tool for literary instruction in the classroom. I love discussing this topic. It seems that just as we create a legitimate place for YA, a new crop of students show up and question the relevance of this body of literature all over again. I am glad that Mary has let us hear from her students.
Most of us who teach YA Lit or librarians who promote YA already know its value. In my Fall ’16 Literature for YA course, I decided to create a final exam allowing for my students – many of whom are planning to become middle or high school English teachers; but also for those who are creative writing majors or literature majors who take the course as an upper division English elective – an opportunity to articulate “Why YA?”
The students’ essays candidly and passionately captured the essence of YA; their essays speak for themselves and contribute a significant voice to the advocacy for YA Lit.
The Prompt: In an essay of 750-1,000 words (3-4 double spaced pages), discuss the following: Why YA Literature? In the broad sense, what can YA Literature do to promote and foster literacy or the desire to read in a world where 40% of teens identify as “aliterate” – meaning they can read, but they choose not to? What is the value of YA Lit? Why does it deserve a place in English courses on the university level?
For those of you who plan on teaching, hone in more specifically, describing how you can incorporate YA Lit in high school or middle school. How does YA Literature fulfill the concerns of those who might argue that YA Literature does not deserve a place in the Literary Canon?
Your essay will be evaluated on the specific examples and evidence you incorporate. To that end consider referencing ideas from the six books we read in common, the texts--Literature for Today’s Young Adults (materials from the online handouts) and Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story, the book talks, the Chris Crutcher video presentation; Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesdays, and the units of study/annotated bibliographies. As you discuss the importance of YA Lit., highlight points of information you now know about YA Literature, which you did not know before you took this course.
The students’ essays candidly and passionately captured the essence of YA; their essays speak for themselves and contribute a significant voice to the advocacy for YA Lit.
The Prompt: In an essay of 750-1,000 words (3-4 double spaced pages), discuss the following: Why YA Literature? In the broad sense, what can YA Literature do to promote and foster literacy or the desire to read in a world where 40% of teens identify as “aliterate” – meaning they can read, but they choose not to? What is the value of YA Lit? Why does it deserve a place in English courses on the university level?
For those of you who plan on teaching, hone in more specifically, describing how you can incorporate YA Lit in high school or middle school. How does YA Literature fulfill the concerns of those who might argue that YA Literature does not deserve a place in the Literary Canon?
Your essay will be evaluated on the specific examples and evidence you incorporate. To that end consider referencing ideas from the six books we read in common, the texts--Literature for Today’s Young Adults (materials from the online handouts) and Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story, the book talks, the Chris Crutcher video presentation; Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesdays, and the units of study/annotated bibliographies. As you discuss the importance of YA Lit., highlight points of information you now know about YA Literature, which you did not know before you took this course.
Responses… (Note, I’ve excerpted and corrected some spelling/issues arising from on-site writing)
1. “In the current public school system there is quite a leap from elementary school to middle and high school reading material. In elementary school, the required reading is generally picture books or very short stories. But once teens get to middle or high school, suddenly they are being prepared to read F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jane Austin and other incredibly difficult authors. Most students struggle with these works because they’ve been forced to skip a very important transition period. The students have not had time to become better readers and most certainly cannot relate to many of the characters in these novels, many of whom are grown men and women. Teens need characters and settings they can relate to in order to feel more invested in the works they are reading. Young Adult literature gives children and teens a bridge between picture books and academic novels. I believe this because so many of the characters they are forced to read [about] in high school are not relatable to them. Not many students are millionaire bootleggers who are madly in love with a married woman like Jay Gatsby, yet these are the characters students are being force to find themselves in. A number of people say that YA literature is not important enough to teach in schools. But these novels contain characters that students find themselves in; they are set in places that students can relate to, situations many of them have been in like high school classrooms or sports teams.
Being a teenager means learning how to function in society, how to speak for yourself even if you are afraid to and as Melinda in Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, ‘There is a beast in my gut, I can hear it scraping away at the inside of my ribs. Even if I dump the memory, it will stay with me…’ (Anderson). For most teenagers, high school is a very important period in their lives where they learn to speak for themselves…particularly young women could find an important message in Speak, one that is more relatable than the one the Bennet daughters give in Pride and Prejudice…
By having characters that they can relate to, students could be more inclined to read…In Matt de la Peña’s We Were Here the main character is described by another character as ‘a normal kid who did something very bad’ yet continues to beat himself up and believes himself to be a bad kid (Peña). I feel that many adolescents could find themselves in this particular work as many feel the need to be rebellious as teens…
When I was a high school student, I did not read very much. I would be what is considered an ‘aliterate’ student. It was not because I could not read well, it was because I could not find any literature that I could relate to. I could not relate to Jay Gatsby or the pigs in Animal Farm, so I was not interested in the novels at that time. It is because of my personal high school experience that I believe YA literature is important to teach in high school; these characters are ones that I know I would have related to because some of them went through experiences that I did. Many of the characters faced situations that I faced, but I was sadly unprepared for all of them. These novels could have helped me in those times and could probably help a great deal of other teenagers right now. YA literature deserves to be taught in high school as well as in college because of its universality and its importance as a bridge between children’s literature and more academic works. As someone who plans to be a teacher someday, I will try as hard as I can to include YA novels in my classroom…if they [my students] would rather read Whale Talk than The Great Gatsby that’s fine by me because they probably relate more to T. J. than to Jay Gatsby.” Jason
Being a teenager means learning how to function in society, how to speak for yourself even if you are afraid to and as Melinda in Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak, ‘There is a beast in my gut, I can hear it scraping away at the inside of my ribs. Even if I dump the memory, it will stay with me…’ (Anderson). For most teenagers, high school is a very important period in their lives where they learn to speak for themselves…particularly young women could find an important message in Speak, one that is more relatable than the one the Bennet daughters give in Pride and Prejudice…
By having characters that they can relate to, students could be more inclined to read…In Matt de la Peña’s We Were Here the main character is described by another character as ‘a normal kid who did something very bad’ yet continues to beat himself up and believes himself to be a bad kid (Peña). I feel that many adolescents could find themselves in this particular work as many feel the need to be rebellious as teens…
When I was a high school student, I did not read very much. I would be what is considered an ‘aliterate’ student. It was not because I could not read well, it was because I could not find any literature that I could relate to. I could not relate to Jay Gatsby or the pigs in Animal Farm, so I was not interested in the novels at that time. It is because of my personal high school experience that I believe YA literature is important to teach in high school; these characters are ones that I know I would have related to because some of them went through experiences that I did. Many of the characters faced situations that I faced, but I was sadly unprepared for all of them. These novels could have helped me in those times and could probably help a great deal of other teenagers right now. YA literature deserves to be taught in high school as well as in college because of its universality and its importance as a bridge between children’s literature and more academic works. As someone who plans to be a teacher someday, I will try as hard as I can to include YA novels in my classroom…if they [my students] would rather read Whale Talk than The Great Gatsby that’s fine by me because they probably relate more to T. J. than to Jay Gatsby.” Jason
2. “Honestly, at the beginning of the class I was skeptical about what I would learn fromYA literature. Despite how much YA literature I read as a young adult, I was embarrassed about much I loved the genre. To me, YA literature wasn’t what I considered ‘real’ literature. However, over the course of the semester, I realized that YA literature has a special and unique place in English courses whether it’s in junior high or even on the university level. For example, strong female protagonists typically are rarely found in the literary canon, so YA literature gives young girls models and narratives that more closely reflect their own experiences. The character of Kate from Robert Cormier’s After the First Death demonstrates courage even in the face of terrorism. Many girls can relate to Kate’s struggles like her inner uncertainty about being ‘good enough.’ Moreover, her sacrifice and taking on the responsibility for the young children on the bus is heroic. Readers in that distinctive phase of their lives need YA literature in their lives in order to broaden their perspectives about the world and everyone living their lives around them.
Furthermore, YA literature also presents students with characters and narratives that they can enjoy and maybe even relate to. As a teenager, I felt misunderstood and unimportant. I didn’t think that my voice or my feelings mattered in the ‘real world’ of adults, but I learned through YA literature that I wasn’t alone in my thought process and that how I felt did matter. According to Literature for Today’s Young Adults, before reaching the sixth and seventh stages of literary appreciation – aesthetic appreciation – readers tend to read ‘to find out about themselves, not simply to escape into someone else’s experiences for a few, pleasurable hours’ (LfTYA 5). With that in mind, YA literature can also give the reader a sense of belonging and identity.
…However, I believe the most crucial element of YA literature is the ways in which the books deal with relationships. Whether it’s dealing with parents, friends, teachers, bullies, significant others, authoritative figures, God, or even nature, YA literature usually gives an accurate portrayal of the inner workings of relationships. Karen Hesse’s Witness deals with themes of racism and hate, but also shows the strength of human bonds and love can transcend hate. Hesse’s character Sara Chickering exhibits this love through her mother-daughter type relationship with both Esther Hirsh and Leanora Sutter.
Moreover, Chris Crutcher’s Whale Talk and Matt de la Peña’s We Were Here both depict the difficult struggles of male adolescence. In both novels, the importance of friendship is highlighted especially when confronting problems of that magnitude. Miguel, Mong, and Rondell share the same brotherly love for each other as the Magnificent Seven do in Whale Talk. It’s important for young adults to know their family isn’t comprised [solely] of people that are related to them.” Trang
Furthermore, YA literature also presents students with characters and narratives that they can enjoy and maybe even relate to. As a teenager, I felt misunderstood and unimportant. I didn’t think that my voice or my feelings mattered in the ‘real world’ of adults, but I learned through YA literature that I wasn’t alone in my thought process and that how I felt did matter. According to Literature for Today’s Young Adults, before reaching the sixth and seventh stages of literary appreciation – aesthetic appreciation – readers tend to read ‘to find out about themselves, not simply to escape into someone else’s experiences for a few, pleasurable hours’ (LfTYA 5). With that in mind, YA literature can also give the reader a sense of belonging and identity.
…However, I believe the most crucial element of YA literature is the ways in which the books deal with relationships. Whether it’s dealing with parents, friends, teachers, bullies, significant others, authoritative figures, God, or even nature, YA literature usually gives an accurate portrayal of the inner workings of relationships. Karen Hesse’s Witness deals with themes of racism and hate, but also shows the strength of human bonds and love can transcend hate. Hesse’s character Sara Chickering exhibits this love through her mother-daughter type relationship with both Esther Hirsh and Leanora Sutter.
Moreover, Chris Crutcher’s Whale Talk and Matt de la Peña’s We Were Here both depict the difficult struggles of male adolescence. In both novels, the importance of friendship is highlighted especially when confronting problems of that magnitude. Miguel, Mong, and Rondell share the same brotherly love for each other as the Magnificent Seven do in Whale Talk. It’s important for young adults to know their family isn’t comprised [solely] of people that are related to them.” Trang
3. “Having finally taken a course in YA literature, I can say that I wish I had learned earlier, a thing or two from this class. I did not realize just how influential my reading material was when I was a young and how that shaped my reading material to this day. Nor did I realize how the novels I read helped me as a young adult to understand certain topics or ideas, like learning to cope with the loss of a loved one or dealing with an overbearing parent. Much of what I learned as a young adult shaped how I respond to certain situations and has taught me what is the healthy way to deal with difficult situations and what is the unhealthy way.
Probably one of the most important concepts as to why YA literature is so important is that it allows young adults to find an escape from reality. When young adults read YA literature it allows them, in a sense, to broaden their surroundings. The world in which they live will all of a sudden seem a lot [vaster] because of that, those who do not read may have a more narrow-minded view on the world, only drawing on the culture directly around them versus a broader scope of the world that is available in literature. Furthermore, when young adults find a way to escape, they may find a sense of inclusion in the world they read about or in the characters they come to understand and love. Having been a young adult I remember feeling that sometimes people did not understand me, but when I read about a character with similar trains of thought I felt like I was finally understood and that someone cared. Along with this concept of inclusion, young adults will be able to find emotional support from their characters. Young adults are not always placed in certain environments that are ‘ideal,’ and may not have an outlet for pent up emotions; however, reading about a character who is going through the same situation may allow the young adult to find a sense of comfort. What any young adult should not feel is alone. But this can translate to adults as well. When young adults, or adults, feel along there is a desperate need to be understood or to find sympathy, and when that feeling of being alone grows then that is when problems start to arise. That is when depression may set in and if a young adult cannot find an outlet or an escape, then those emotions can be translated into violence. But YA literature can be that emotional support when upheaval ensues.
…YA literature [also] not only teaches young adults, but adults, how to deal with ideas like isolation, fear, or traumatic experiences. Young adults can find comfort that these characters may be going through the same situations or feelings as the reader, but may also learn how to deal, in a healthy way, with difficult issues that arise. For example, in Witness by Karen Hesse, the character Leanora Sutter feels isolation from her racist community. Leanora, having dealt with some racist remarks explains in her own way her isolation: ‘I walked out of school/I didn’t know where I was going./I just walked out/without my coat,/without my hat or rubbers./I didn’t feel the cold,/ I was that scorched.’ Here, Leanora feels ostracized and alone from her community, and she has an emotional response to the discrimination she has endured. Not only is she dealing with racism, a difficult issue to experience, but along with that racism Leanora feels alone in her own home. This book will help young adults to be able to feel a sense of connection to Leanora, especially those who feel alone when dealing with racism…
YA literature addresses so many concepts and ideas that can be translated into adult literature as well. YA literature is a stepping stone towards more complexity as well. While some students may feel that literature is too hard to read or understand, YA literature allows the young adult audience to understand that not all novels are ‘complex’ in language or in concepts. However, certain concepts may seem mature or complex, but can be easily understood in the guise of a YA novel. When students are able to understand the material, it is more likely that they will read it. While many students may see novels as boring or cookie cutter, incorporating fantasy novels may allow students to expand their minds to new worlds, but still find a connection to the world in which they live. Even by reading these novels on a university level, students will be able to use this knowledge for their own classes, but also understand that YA literature does not have to be boring or typical, but can be enlightening and interesting, that even complex concepts can be found in YA literature and can be used in the university canon. Simply put it, reading allows students to gain knowledge of themselves, others, the world, their community…” Mariah
Probably one of the most important concepts as to why YA literature is so important is that it allows young adults to find an escape from reality. When young adults read YA literature it allows them, in a sense, to broaden their surroundings. The world in which they live will all of a sudden seem a lot [vaster] because of that, those who do not read may have a more narrow-minded view on the world, only drawing on the culture directly around them versus a broader scope of the world that is available in literature. Furthermore, when young adults find a way to escape, they may find a sense of inclusion in the world they read about or in the characters they come to understand and love. Having been a young adult I remember feeling that sometimes people did not understand me, but when I read about a character with similar trains of thought I felt like I was finally understood and that someone cared. Along with this concept of inclusion, young adults will be able to find emotional support from their characters. Young adults are not always placed in certain environments that are ‘ideal,’ and may not have an outlet for pent up emotions; however, reading about a character who is going through the same situation may allow the young adult to find a sense of comfort. What any young adult should not feel is alone. But this can translate to adults as well. When young adults, or adults, feel along there is a desperate need to be understood or to find sympathy, and when that feeling of being alone grows then that is when problems start to arise. That is when depression may set in and if a young adult cannot find an outlet or an escape, then those emotions can be translated into violence. But YA literature can be that emotional support when upheaval ensues.
…YA literature [also] not only teaches young adults, but adults, how to deal with ideas like isolation, fear, or traumatic experiences. Young adults can find comfort that these characters may be going through the same situations or feelings as the reader, but may also learn how to deal, in a healthy way, with difficult issues that arise. For example, in Witness by Karen Hesse, the character Leanora Sutter feels isolation from her racist community. Leanora, having dealt with some racist remarks explains in her own way her isolation: ‘I walked out of school/I didn’t know where I was going./I just walked out/without my coat,/without my hat or rubbers./I didn’t feel the cold,/ I was that scorched.’ Here, Leanora feels ostracized and alone from her community, and she has an emotional response to the discrimination she has endured. Not only is she dealing with racism, a difficult issue to experience, but along with that racism Leanora feels alone in her own home. This book will help young adults to be able to feel a sense of connection to Leanora, especially those who feel alone when dealing with racism…
YA literature addresses so many concepts and ideas that can be translated into adult literature as well. YA literature is a stepping stone towards more complexity as well. While some students may feel that literature is too hard to read or understand, YA literature allows the young adult audience to understand that not all novels are ‘complex’ in language or in concepts. However, certain concepts may seem mature or complex, but can be easily understood in the guise of a YA novel. When students are able to understand the material, it is more likely that they will read it. While many students may see novels as boring or cookie cutter, incorporating fantasy novels may allow students to expand their minds to new worlds, but still find a connection to the world in which they live. Even by reading these novels on a university level, students will be able to use this knowledge for their own classes, but also understand that YA literature does not have to be boring or typical, but can be enlightening and interesting, that even complex concepts can be found in YA literature and can be used in the university canon. Simply put it, reading allows students to gain knowledge of themselves, others, the world, their community…” Mariah
4. “…YA lit can be used to explore so much more than sexual assault [referencing Speak]. Karen Hesse’s vignettes in Witness explore the effects of prejudice through a town in Vermont in 1924 and their struggle with the Ku Klux Klan; We Were Here by Matt de la Peña explores themes of guilt, suicide, violence, and identity; and Robert Cormier’s After the First Death explores father-son dynamics, terrorism, the concept of the enemy, and patriotism. YA literature contains many complex themes and experiences that act as a vehicle for helping teens contextualize, analyze, and deal with the world around them.
While YA literature is written for young adults, it also extends beyond them. For one, teenagers eventually grow up. They become adults, they vote, they work, they inherit the previous generation’s world and create the way for the future of the next generation. The things that they learn in schools, media, and from experiences shape who they become. Well written YA literature teaches readers to be empathetic, aware, and curious. For these reasons, I also think that it is valuable to YA literature to be involved at the university level. While college students are considered adults, most of them are fresh out of or just a few years from high school. Two years into adulthood, ‘adults’ are still teenagers at eighteen and nineteen years old. College is a big version of high school, with bigger campuses, social networks, people, and consequences. YA literature still deals with the problems of living in this world, and while they may not be as immediate for adults as they are for teenagers, every adult still had to grow up to get there and can relate to experiences of adolescence. In addition to all of this, many adults will interact with adolescents at one point or another. They’ll become parents, educations, mentors, or work in administrations and business that affect the world that teenagers will live in. Many teenagers are subject to the decisions of adults in this way, and YA literature is a great resource for adults to understand how their actions affect them.
Reading is a valuable skill and, like all skills, can be lost or numbed with neglect. The fast-paced nature of YA literature is a great way to sharpen reading skills when [teens are] caught up in the busy routine of this fast-paced world. The fact that it’s written for teenagers does not lessen its value any more than being a teenager lessens the value of a human being. Life can get hard and quality YA literature teaches teenagers that they are not alone and there is more to come. Allison
While YA literature is written for young adults, it also extends beyond them. For one, teenagers eventually grow up. They become adults, they vote, they work, they inherit the previous generation’s world and create the way for the future of the next generation. The things that they learn in schools, media, and from experiences shape who they become. Well written YA literature teaches readers to be empathetic, aware, and curious. For these reasons, I also think that it is valuable to YA literature to be involved at the university level. While college students are considered adults, most of them are fresh out of or just a few years from high school. Two years into adulthood, ‘adults’ are still teenagers at eighteen and nineteen years old. College is a big version of high school, with bigger campuses, social networks, people, and consequences. YA literature still deals with the problems of living in this world, and while they may not be as immediate for adults as they are for teenagers, every adult still had to grow up to get there and can relate to experiences of adolescence. In addition to all of this, many adults will interact with adolescents at one point or another. They’ll become parents, educations, mentors, or work in administrations and business that affect the world that teenagers will live in. Many teenagers are subject to the decisions of adults in this way, and YA literature is a great resource for adults to understand how their actions affect them.
Reading is a valuable skill and, like all skills, can be lost or numbed with neglect. The fast-paced nature of YA literature is a great way to sharpen reading skills when [teens are] caught up in the busy routine of this fast-paced world. The fact that it’s written for teenagers does not lessen its value any more than being a teenager lessens the value of a human being. Life can get hard and quality YA literature teaches teenagers that they are not alone and there is more to come. Allison
5. Before this course, I didn’t know the importance of YA literature. I used to read [YAlit] for enjoyment and to escape from my own reality. When I wanted to forget something, books became my sole comfort. Then I learned that I am not the only one who still enjoys reading YA books. YA literature can tie into anything that a person can relate to whether it is fantasy/sci-fi or any other type of genre. One of the quotes I love is from Laurie Halse Anderson in which she says, ‘Contemporary young adult literature surprises some people, because it is an accurate reflection of the way today’s teenagers talk, think, behave. But these books must be honest in order to connect to the teen reader. America’s teens are desperate for responsible, trustworthy adults to create situations in which they can discuss the issues that are of the highest concern for them. Reading and discussing books is one of the effective ways to get teens to think through and learn the challenges of adolescence.’ (The quote is form “A Comment about Censorship” on the back of the book, Speak.) I agree with her because it is the reason I tuned in to read books. I am able to relate to them, even as a teenager. When I had no one to talk to, I learned through the novels I read. I am still learning through the novels. YA literature is important to teach to students who find other works boring and end up tuning out from an entire lesson. They [YA books] teach lessons that are hard to talk about or [are] about adventures teens may want to go on but can’t.” Angela
6. “One of the most beautiful aspects of the YA genre is the multiple perspectives I’ve been able to view life from. I began realizing the importance of YA literature shortly after we read Witness, and Dr. Warner directed us to recount our memory of the unforgettable attacks on our country on September 11, 2001. The responses were remarkable; they varied from personal accounts of the day to remembering the day from a victim’s perspective and even through the eyes of a victim’s family member. (9/11 Readers’ Theatre) What I realized after this exercise is why YA literature is important. YA literature allows anyone regardless of age or gender or orientation to feel welcome.
One characteristic of YA literature (which is closely related to Exeter Quality 6) presented in the online handouts Literature for Today’s Young Adults (chapter 1) says ‘The body of work includes characters from many different ethnic and cultural groups.’ The importance of this characteristic should be duly-noted. In every classroom I’ve been in this year, the backgrounds of students are always mixed. The book talks are proof of how YA literature can reach to all types of backgrounds. Anton’s book talk on The Port Chicago 50 describes the hushed event during WW II in which an explosion killed many African-Americans. Luke’s book talk on Gabi, A Girl in Pieces details the struggles of an overweight Mexican-American trying to fit in during dark times in her life. An assigned book we read, We Were Here follows three young males who are all from different backgrounds: African-American, Mexican, and Chinese, on their journey. These books invite those ethnicities who may have felt marginalized due to the importance of reading canonical works for so long to read YA books that tend to connect to a wider audience.
This course on YA literature has allowed me to view life from a different perspective. I once dismissed the genre simply based off of the negative comments and reviews I would hear from the naysayers. The quick reaction to dismiss something I have yet to try and understand will forever be a valuable lesson. During this semester, I lent a copy of one of my favorite YA novels, The Alchemist, to a friend who was struggling to transition in a hectic time of his life. His response to the book was heartwarming. He revealed to me a few things: he appreciated how the novel was written. The diction was simple and enjoyable which didn’t make it a difficult read. He could connect to the protagonist in more than one way. He revealed the novel made him grow as a person…Most important and also the most joyful part of the feedback is the fact that he shared that book with three other family members. What he gained from the book prompted him to share that feeling with other people. This is the beauty and importance of YA literature… In a day where technology consumes almost every aspect of our daily routine, it was refreshing to see how a book helped my friend in a time of confusion. If a book like The Alchemist influences someone in his late 20s, I can only imagine how it can affect a young adult in middle or high school. Not only is YA literature a valuable part of young adult education…the genre can very well resonate with adults too.” Casey
One characteristic of YA literature (which is closely related to Exeter Quality 6) presented in the online handouts Literature for Today’s Young Adults (chapter 1) says ‘The body of work includes characters from many different ethnic and cultural groups.’ The importance of this characteristic should be duly-noted. In every classroom I’ve been in this year, the backgrounds of students are always mixed. The book talks are proof of how YA literature can reach to all types of backgrounds. Anton’s book talk on The Port Chicago 50 describes the hushed event during WW II in which an explosion killed many African-Americans. Luke’s book talk on Gabi, A Girl in Pieces details the struggles of an overweight Mexican-American trying to fit in during dark times in her life. An assigned book we read, We Were Here follows three young males who are all from different backgrounds: African-American, Mexican, and Chinese, on their journey. These books invite those ethnicities who may have felt marginalized due to the importance of reading canonical works for so long to read YA books that tend to connect to a wider audience.
This course on YA literature has allowed me to view life from a different perspective. I once dismissed the genre simply based off of the negative comments and reviews I would hear from the naysayers. The quick reaction to dismiss something I have yet to try and understand will forever be a valuable lesson. During this semester, I lent a copy of one of my favorite YA novels, The Alchemist, to a friend who was struggling to transition in a hectic time of his life. His response to the book was heartwarming. He revealed to me a few things: he appreciated how the novel was written. The diction was simple and enjoyable which didn’t make it a difficult read. He could connect to the protagonist in more than one way. He revealed the novel made him grow as a person…Most important and also the most joyful part of the feedback is the fact that he shared that book with three other family members. What he gained from the book prompted him to share that feeling with other people. This is the beauty and importance of YA literature… In a day where technology consumes almost every aspect of our daily routine, it was refreshing to see how a book helped my friend in a time of confusion. If a book like The Alchemist influences someone in his late 20s, I can only imagine how it can affect a young adult in middle or high school. Not only is YA literature a valuable part of young adult education…the genre can very well resonate with adults too.” Casey
7. “According to a survey conducted by Dr. Mary Warner, 464 out of 1375 (34%) teenagers said that peer pressure was the biggest issue that they faced, with school issues following second with 254 (Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story, 8). In that same survey, the teenagers said that they had only one primary source of guidance, with the highest number of responses being either family or friends. The survey also states that a staggering 772 (51%) of these same teenagers said that they had never gotten help with issues from a book. While these numbers seem to point to the idea that teens do not want to find solace in a good book, it brings up one big question: why? The best answer comes in the form of one of the Exeter qualities of good YA literature, ‘Characters who reflect experiences of teen readers, something not found in much of the literary canon, especially when it comes to strong female protagonists.’ This highlights the issue that it is not reading in particular that teens hate, it is what they are reading. While the literary canon is important as it shows teens the classics and helps build their knowledge, works such as The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and even my favorite work of all time, Animal Farm do not have characters that teens can directly relate to. This is why YA literature is invaluable in the classroom and should be taught in conjunction; it can help fill in the gaps and give stories to help teens cope with the issues they face every day.
One other Exeter quality…is ‘Themes that allow the possibility of emotional and intellectual growth through engagement of personal issues.’ Essentially good YA literature will allow students to directly tackle any personal issues that they are facing…There are plenty of books dealing with plenty of different issues, so tailoring a unit to a class becomes easy with resources such as Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesdays and our book talks/annotated bibliographies/units of study. (Students’ page) If for example, a Hispanic student is dealing with racial identity issues, I could easily recommend books such as Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña (Ricky Clark’s book talk) or Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, (Luke Coulter’s book talk) because I already have background on them. The large number of genres gone over in our unit of studies/annotated bibliographies makes it just as easy to give books to teens for pleasure. If this class has taught me anything, it is that YA literature is a great tool for getting students interested in reading, and one that is severely underused in the classroom. As a student who used to hate reading, I find that when I teach I must make an effort to use these resources to get students interested in reading. However, using YA literature does not mean getting rid of the classics all together, or put any less importance on them. In fact, the units of study/annotated bibliographies taught me that YA literature can help build on or even introduce the canonical works…
When I was in middle school, I was bullied on and off. In 7th grade, I was pushed to the ground and broke my wrist. After that, the same bullies threatened to do it to me again as a sort of sick joke. Despite the support from my friends and family, I never really had the tools for coping with it or even understanding why the bullies would do this in the first place. This led to some depression in high school that I once again had trouble coping with. I can’t help but feel that if I had a work of YA literature such as the book I did my book talk on, Endgame by Nancy Garden, that I could have felt like I was not the only one going through this. While I will always love the literary canon for the great stories it provides, I am the first to admit that teens really need more. They need stories that they connect to, that help show them how to deal with problems they cannot talk about with others. Ultimately, I want to use YA literature in the classroom to help students, to give them a way to cope with life in a constructive way by showing them that they are not alone.” Maximillian
One other Exeter quality…is ‘Themes that allow the possibility of emotional and intellectual growth through engagement of personal issues.’ Essentially good YA literature will allow students to directly tackle any personal issues that they are facing…There are plenty of books dealing with plenty of different issues, so tailoring a unit to a class becomes easy with resources such as Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesdays and our book talks/annotated bibliographies/units of study. (Students’ page) If for example, a Hispanic student is dealing with racial identity issues, I could easily recommend books such as Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña (Ricky Clark’s book talk) or Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, (Luke Coulter’s book talk) because I already have background on them. The large number of genres gone over in our unit of studies/annotated bibliographies makes it just as easy to give books to teens for pleasure. If this class has taught me anything, it is that YA literature is a great tool for getting students interested in reading, and one that is severely underused in the classroom. As a student who used to hate reading, I find that when I teach I must make an effort to use these resources to get students interested in reading. However, using YA literature does not mean getting rid of the classics all together, or put any less importance on them. In fact, the units of study/annotated bibliographies taught me that YA literature can help build on or even introduce the canonical works…
When I was in middle school, I was bullied on and off. In 7th grade, I was pushed to the ground and broke my wrist. After that, the same bullies threatened to do it to me again as a sort of sick joke. Despite the support from my friends and family, I never really had the tools for coping with it or even understanding why the bullies would do this in the first place. This led to some depression in high school that I once again had trouble coping with. I can’t help but feel that if I had a work of YA literature such as the book I did my book talk on, Endgame by Nancy Garden, that I could have felt like I was not the only one going through this. While I will always love the literary canon for the great stories it provides, I am the first to admit that teens really need more. They need stories that they connect to, that help show them how to deal with problems they cannot talk about with others. Ultimately, I want to use YA literature in the classroom to help students, to give them a way to cope with life in a constructive way by showing them that they are not alone.” Maximillian
8. “…While the characters within YA literature hook young readers in ways that canonical literature may not, another enticing aspect of YA literature’s style is the voice and language that a young adult perspective allows. For example, Miguel, the narrator of We Were Here by Matt de la Peña has a very unique and fun-to-read voice. I know that as a young adult I would have gotten a kick out of reading passages like this: ‘I stopped chewing mid-chew, looked back at the guy. Okay, dawg, I told myself. Here it is. The shit’s finally gonna go down.’ (57). In Level 3 of the Stages of Literary Appreciation, Nilsen and Donelson discuss the value of language that is ‘straightforward and written in a style that [readers] can understand.’ Students who might feel bored and confused with the flowery language of Shakespeare or Nathaniel Hawthorne will find it relieving to read such a unique and relatable voice.
Beyond simply making the book fun to read, this language provides a springboard for the class to explore language. A high school class can discuss how Miguel’s language affects the reading of the story and perception of him, how it affects and marks his relationships with other characters, and finally how Mong’s, Rondell’s, Miguel’s, and Jaden’s voices help establish them as unique characters. This discussion of language can open to a broader discussion of how language and voice shapes all texts and characters, not just those in YA lit. The examination of characters’ unique language and its role in characterizing them can be applied to canonical texts like The Character in the Rye where Holden has an extremely unique voice; Huckleberry Finn where Huck, Tom, and Jim are limited and separated in some ways based on speech. Language is essential in understanding characters as well as ourselves, and this is why Exeter Quality 5: ‘Lively, Varied, and Imaginative Language that is Grammatically Correct’ is so valid…” Tyler
Beyond simply making the book fun to read, this language provides a springboard for the class to explore language. A high school class can discuss how Miguel’s language affects the reading of the story and perception of him, how it affects and marks his relationships with other characters, and finally how Mong’s, Rondell’s, Miguel’s, and Jaden’s voices help establish them as unique characters. This discussion of language can open to a broader discussion of how language and voice shapes all texts and characters, not just those in YA lit. The examination of characters’ unique language and its role in characterizing them can be applied to canonical texts like The Character in the Rye where Holden has an extremely unique voice; Huckleberry Finn where Huck, Tom, and Jim are limited and separated in some ways based on speech. Language is essential in understanding characters as well as ourselves, and this is why Exeter Quality 5: ‘Lively, Varied, and Imaginative Language that is Grammatically Correct’ is so valid…” Tyler
9. “Prior to taking this course, I had not given much thought to YA literature. I often read as a teen, but never considered the actual impact that YA novels were having on me. What I learned from this course was that the YA literature I had been introduced to was helping me develop my reading skills and an appreciation for literature. In Chapter 1 of Literature for Today’s Young Adults, I learned about the seven stages of literary appreciation. The stages … point to the fact that it is important for readers to first develop an interest in reading at a young age, so that they can learn to appreciate all types of literature. If I had been forced to read only difficult literature from the canon, I probably would have lost my appetite for reading. YA literature helps to foster an interest in reading for teens by providing them with stories they can relate to…
I know that growing up I had my fair share of existential dilemmas, and I too felt alone in dealing with. Through literature, though, I was able to find comfort and answers to many questions. The reason for this is that YA literature provided me with a safe place to confront my personal issues. That is the power of YA literature. It takes complicated adult themes and presents them in a way that adolescents can understand and learn from. In Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story, Dr. Warner explains that YA literature allows readers to vicariously experience difficult themes at a safe and neutral distance (Warner, XIV). One of the things that I learned from this course is that these topics are far from childish. The YA literature that I read in this class touched on serious subjects such as racism, sexuality, rape, death, grief, and depression. These are all issues that adolescents will begin to deal with as they get older, which is why it is important for them to have literature designed to address these themes…” Ariel
I know that growing up I had my fair share of existential dilemmas, and I too felt alone in dealing with. Through literature, though, I was able to find comfort and answers to many questions. The reason for this is that YA literature provided me with a safe place to confront my personal issues. That is the power of YA literature. It takes complicated adult themes and presents them in a way that adolescents can understand and learn from. In Adolescents in the Search for Meaning: Tapping the Powerful Resource of Story, Dr. Warner explains that YA literature allows readers to vicariously experience difficult themes at a safe and neutral distance (Warner, XIV). One of the things that I learned from this course is that these topics are far from childish. The YA literature that I read in this class touched on serious subjects such as racism, sexuality, rape, death, grief, and depression. These are all issues that adolescents will begin to deal with as they get older, which is why it is important for them to have literature designed to address these themes…” Ariel
10. “…Teens have a tendency to be susceptible to influences and can easily be swayed to be something they are not, peer-pressured into doing something they do not want to do. This could lead to vulnerability and sometimes, dependency on others. Some teenagers start to feel alone so they start to look for a place where they can feel accepted and wanted. This can be a tricky task to accomplish especially when they feel like an outcast and that there is no one that can understand them, that their suffering is unique. Reading stories about people their own age can build a sense of trust and belonging which could encourage them to reading more, to continue their search for others who understand their struggles. This could eventually lead to a love for reading as I have experienced when I was searching for others who could understand. This is the main topic and struggle for most of the YA literature that I have read so far, be it a canonical work or not. In Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher, T. J. struggles to find somewhere where he can belong, so does Harry Potter in the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling. Aristotle and Dante find themselves belonging to each other in their search in the novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Many other novels and authors have talked about this because it is a crucial topic among teens who are lost and do not know where they fit in life yet. Reading about other people with the same struggles can encourage them to read more and look for more people who can offer them guidance and comfort.
The ideas and themes that reside within a YA novel are not only for young adults, but also for anyone at all really. That is the beauty of humanity, that the pain we feel, no matter how unique, can still be universal. There are others out there that go through some of the same things and problems, and there are ways to find them and get to know them by talking and communicating experiences through stories. And maybe, just maybe, by telling others those stories, a community can be formed, a place to belong to. That is why I believe YA literature should be taught to young adults.” Miguel
The ideas and themes that reside within a YA novel are not only for young adults, but also for anyone at all really. That is the beauty of humanity, that the pain we feel, no matter how unique, can still be universal. There are others out there that go through some of the same things and problems, and there are ways to find them and get to know them by talking and communicating experiences through stories. And maybe, just maybe, by telling others those stories, a community can be formed, a place to belong to. That is why I believe YA literature should be taught to young adults.” Miguel
11. “…Clearly, YA literature is much deeper and more complex than at first glance. Its ability to create circumstances and characters that students can relate to and understand is an invaluable asset to encouraging teens to read and think. Although, it might be more accurate to call the genre ‘literature written for adolescents and young adults,’ as Dr. Marshall George writes in an article for Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesdays, “What’s in a Name? Adolescent Literature? Young Adult Literature? Does it Matter?” However, while understanding the distinction between novels for teens and adolescents versus young adults is important, it is equally important to support that the material of YA literature is sophisticated and challenging enough to be observed on a university level, both as a subject to be studied and as a subject to be taught in schools for aspiring teachers. Furthermore, YA literature serves as an effective complement and parallel to works in the literary canon, helping students in high school and middle school better understand and relate to the works they are studying. Incorporating YA literature into units of study can breathe new life into classwork, drawing the attention of uninterested students and supporting the learning of aliterate students by generating activities and exercises that help to further their understanding. The power of narrative shows itself in its ability to attract human interest, in the form of oral storytelling as well as the written word. Humans have been enthralled by good stories throughout history, and in a sense, YA literature is the culmination of human storytelling experience, formulated first for adolescents and young adults and enjoyed by all ages. For this reason and numerous others, YA literature deserves a place in the realm of education and the literary repertoire of students and adults alike.” Brandon
12. “There is no denying it: the classroom is an environment full of boredom and stress. Teens often dread the idea of listening to a monotone lecture for hours on end, nor do they wish to stress themselves by diving into the assignments and responsibilities associated with their classroom. What’s more, it is this boredom and stress that contribute to students’ unwillingness to read despite having the ability to do so. In short, many teens identify as aliterate simply because they do not feel like reading, and with the absence of any motivation to do so, they simply remain in this state at their own will. Fortunately, YA literature possesses the ability to pry teens away from this mindset; with its ability to serve as entertainment, act as a teacher of life lessons, and nourish and build reading skills; the value and benefits provided by YA literature are simply too high to overlook. In addition, the dynamic nature of the YA literature makes it a good subject to be taught in classes of various reading levels.
The first and most obvious trait of YA literature is that it can be entertaining; this allows for the attraction of teens who are reluctant to read. As Miguel brings out in We Were Here, the sole purpose of reading should not be simple to read because it is a requirement, but also to read in order to ‘see what happens.’ Rather than having teens be made to read because they have to, which simply is not an attractive notion, teens would be more involved in reading if they actually enjoyed doing it. Luckily YA lit has no shortage of entertainment. From the magical vibes of Harry Potter to the heated interior of the bus in After the First Death, there is no limit to the material that teens can read to ‘see what happens’ rather than to ‘see what you’ll read because you have to.’
Moreover, the dynamic nature of YA literature further builds its use as a means of entertainment and can attract teens to reading, as YA literature consists of multiple genres, has the ability to take place in any time period, and includes multiples themes; teens will certainly find these qualities attractive, as they have the opportunity to either ‘lose’ or ‘find’ themselves when reading… For instance, many presentations [units of study and book talks] bring out the idea that YA literature can be used as teacher of life lessons. Natalie Collier’s unit of study effectively utilizes the notion of death and the idea that the world can be a tragic place, and brings out the fact that young adults can read stories relating to the theme of death to understand the tragedies that make up their own environment. This can easily be incorporated with a novel such as After the First Death by Robert Cormier, as its violence, fear, suspense, and tragedy reveal to teens that endings aren’t always happy in the real world. On the other hand, Miguel Adea executes his unit of study in a manner that focuses on depressions; he reveals that YA literature teaches teens valuable lessons about mental illness, including the fact that they ‘are not alone.’ Teens can go about this approach by reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. They will see familiar effects of depression first hand, and then journey with the protagonist to recovery…” Daniel
The first and most obvious trait of YA literature is that it can be entertaining; this allows for the attraction of teens who are reluctant to read. As Miguel brings out in We Were Here, the sole purpose of reading should not be simple to read because it is a requirement, but also to read in order to ‘see what happens.’ Rather than having teens be made to read because they have to, which simply is not an attractive notion, teens would be more involved in reading if they actually enjoyed doing it. Luckily YA lit has no shortage of entertainment. From the magical vibes of Harry Potter to the heated interior of the bus in After the First Death, there is no limit to the material that teens can read to ‘see what happens’ rather than to ‘see what you’ll read because you have to.’
Moreover, the dynamic nature of YA literature further builds its use as a means of entertainment and can attract teens to reading, as YA literature consists of multiple genres, has the ability to take place in any time period, and includes multiples themes; teens will certainly find these qualities attractive, as they have the opportunity to either ‘lose’ or ‘find’ themselves when reading… For instance, many presentations [units of study and book talks] bring out the idea that YA literature can be used as teacher of life lessons. Natalie Collier’s unit of study effectively utilizes the notion of death and the idea that the world can be a tragic place, and brings out the fact that young adults can read stories relating to the theme of death to understand the tragedies that make up their own environment. This can easily be incorporated with a novel such as After the First Death by Robert Cormier, as its violence, fear, suspense, and tragedy reveal to teens that endings aren’t always happy in the real world. On the other hand, Miguel Adea executes his unit of study in a manner that focuses on depressions; he reveals that YA literature teaches teens valuable lessons about mental illness, including the fact that they ‘are not alone.’ Teens can go about this approach by reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. They will see familiar effects of depression first hand, and then journey with the protagonist to recovery…” Daniel
13. “… Of course, for teens to know that there is such a treasure as YA literature available to them, adults will have to be knowledgeable about the topic of YA literature. That starts with learning about YA literature at the university level so that it can then be taught to teens at a middle school or high school level. Not only should future teachers take these classes, future librarians should as well, because as Dr. Bickmore says on his YA Wednesday blog about where it is teens are getting book suggestions from ‘librarians [are] true heroes.’ Why not just stay with the old works that have always been taught? Why start a whole new section of teaching? That is because, as shown above, YA literature offers so much for teens and adults as well. The themes found in YA literature are universal and can be found anywhere and at any time. Not only that, they contain many of the Exeter qualities so highly sought for in a book. There is always a character to whom others can relate and an exciting and imaginative plot that may or may not go in chronological order, which may be even more exciting. YA literature is also a great way to let teens further develop their reading skills. From reading YA literature, they can then move onto even more complicated pieces or works…YA literature is a treasure trove of possibilities for young adults that just needs to be opened up to them.” Poua
14. “YA literature deserves a place in college classrooms because like Chris Crutcher says ‘YA fiction is not a lesser genre.’ Crutcher says the same themes addressed in Shakespeare can be found in YA literature and he is right. The theme of rivalry between two different families in Romeo and Juliet is seen in a new way in Whale Talk. T.J., the main character in Whale Talk comes head to head with his rivals – the revered athletes of his high school, proving that significant themes can be found in YA literature. The material provided in YA literature makes it so that incorporating it into classrooms can be done with ease. Adolescence is a time of discovery, growth, and self-identity. Thankfully, YA literature has many great books that discuss identity. I learned about many books (from the book talks) that are candid portrayals of characters coming to terms with their identity. For example, there is Gabi, A Girl in Pieces about a young girl who struggles with her cultural identity. Me and Earl, and the Dying Girl centers around Greg – a teen boy trying to maintain an identity for himself that ultimately proves to be destructive. There are so many others too. YA literature is significant. Beyond this though, it is simply fun! Many YA novels that I have been introduced to are quick-paced and suspenseful like After the First Death. If a young person does not like reading, I believe it is because he/she just hasn’t read the right thing. The more children read, the more they are bound to gain an appreciation for YA literature and literature in general.” Beverly
15. “YA lit can also help open up teens’ views of the world and people of other cultures like we read in We Were Here by Matt de la Peña. I admit before reading this book, when I saw kids like the characters in this book, I would brush them off or look the other way. I often just thought they were trouble makers. Now I am not so quick to dismiss them. Now I wonder what their story is, where did they come from and where are they going. How will different events shape their lives? I wonder if they would be good students if given the opportunity. I see that we are all dealt different cards. Since I plan on teaching, it’s beneficial for me to read about kids from different backgrounds with different experiences from mine…” Elizabeth
16. “YA literature is not very respected in academia. Currently, it has no place in the canon of literary works. Instead this canon is filled with epistolary novels from the point of view of eighteenth century chambermaids, plays about long dead political leaders, and poetry about pieces of pottery. All of these works are valuable, and they certainly deserve to be studied, but focusing on them in high school literature courses creates absurd and terrifying statistics like 40% of teenagers identifying as ‘aliterate.’ Rather than forcing this abundance of dense and nearly impenetrable writing on teens, it would be far better to design and execute a more accessible canon, filled with books young adults might actually want to read. This would serve multiple purposes. First, it would help alleviate the disgust and fear associated with reading and improve the aforementioned statistic. Second, and far more importantly, YA literature can develop empathy and critical thinking skills in everybody from elementary school students to adults.
The best YA literature contains several qualities that can help imbue this empathy. Unlike ‘much of the literary canon,’ it can ‘reflect experiences of teen readers’ (Literature for Today’s Young Adults). Rather than being about an ancient king, Speak begins on the protagonist Melinda’s ‘first morning of high school.’ By starting with something identifiable and easy to connect with for high school students, Speak is able to ‘go beyond typical experiences.’ Most high school students have not been raped, but walking in Melinda’s shoes as she attempts to survive her freshman year opens that experience up to everybody. This helps those students who have had something similar happen to them by giving them a chance to step outside their own fear and anxiety, and it helps to establish a community around them that is more understanding of the damage that they might have. It fosters empathy and understanding among the entire class – something that a canonical work might have significantly more trouble doing. By addressing a theme that students can connect with, Speak provides a much better opportunity for ‘emotional and intellectual growth’ (Literature for Today’s Young Adults).
This ‘intellectual growth’ leading to ethical understanding is easier to attain with YA literature than it is with more ‘academic’ works, as well. In Whale Talk, T. J.’s mother says ‘as long as we’re going down this road, let’s go all the way.’ She then proceeds to lay out the sequence of events that would occur if T.J. were to assault Mike Barbour. Whale Talk engages the reader’s interest by setting up a typical excuse for justified violence and then subverts the expectation caused by this in an organized, logical way. Whale Talk provides a model for engaging with an emotional situation intellectually, which is a tool directly useful to teenagers’ lives. These tools show up fairly frequently in YA literature. These models almost always appear in themes that emphasize facing past troubles with honesty and integrity, rather than running and hiding. We Were Here’s protagonist Miguel is about to flee America for Mexico when he realizes that he can’t. There is a deep upwelling of emotion within him, and he recognizes that trying to run away from his problems won’t work. He lacks the introspective ability to recognize why, but he intuits it all the same. Similarly, in Witness, Merlin van Tornout decides to stop running from the law and accept what awaits him back in his home town. Canonical works seldom provide these ethical models, and even when they are there, the texts themselves get in the way of the lesson more often than not…” Luke
The best YA literature contains several qualities that can help imbue this empathy. Unlike ‘much of the literary canon,’ it can ‘reflect experiences of teen readers’ (Literature for Today’s Young Adults). Rather than being about an ancient king, Speak begins on the protagonist Melinda’s ‘first morning of high school.’ By starting with something identifiable and easy to connect with for high school students, Speak is able to ‘go beyond typical experiences.’ Most high school students have not been raped, but walking in Melinda’s shoes as she attempts to survive her freshman year opens that experience up to everybody. This helps those students who have had something similar happen to them by giving them a chance to step outside their own fear and anxiety, and it helps to establish a community around them that is more understanding of the damage that they might have. It fosters empathy and understanding among the entire class – something that a canonical work might have significantly more trouble doing. By addressing a theme that students can connect with, Speak provides a much better opportunity for ‘emotional and intellectual growth’ (Literature for Today’s Young Adults).
This ‘intellectual growth’ leading to ethical understanding is easier to attain with YA literature than it is with more ‘academic’ works, as well. In Whale Talk, T. J.’s mother says ‘as long as we’re going down this road, let’s go all the way.’ She then proceeds to lay out the sequence of events that would occur if T.J. were to assault Mike Barbour. Whale Talk engages the reader’s interest by setting up a typical excuse for justified violence and then subverts the expectation caused by this in an organized, logical way. Whale Talk provides a model for engaging with an emotional situation intellectually, which is a tool directly useful to teenagers’ lives. These tools show up fairly frequently in YA literature. These models almost always appear in themes that emphasize facing past troubles with honesty and integrity, rather than running and hiding. We Were Here’s protagonist Miguel is about to flee America for Mexico when he realizes that he can’t. There is a deep upwelling of emotion within him, and he recognizes that trying to run away from his problems won’t work. He lacks the introspective ability to recognize why, but he intuits it all the same. Similarly, in Witness, Merlin van Tornout decides to stop running from the law and accept what awaits him back in his home town. Canonical works seldom provide these ethical models, and even when they are there, the texts themselves get in the way of the lesson more often than not…” Luke
17. “… Before taking this course I was unaware of the multitude of possibilities of incorporating YA literature into a classroom. To be even more honest, I was unaware of the benefits YA literature afforded young adults. However, by coming to understand the various levels of reading, learning that not all YA novels need to be considered great, and by being given traits to look for in good novels, as well as reading and hearing many presentations on how to incorporate YA novels in a classroom, and by being introduced to many resources, I now more clearly understand their importance and merits. No classroom is complete now without incorporating YA literature. If more educators understood the benefits of incorporating YA literature in class, more lifelong readers would come from their classrooms…” Natalie
18. “One way to alleviate this sorry situation [aliteracy] is to supplement young adults’reading lists, either in or out of the classroom, with YA literature. Contrary to common misconceptions, not all YA books are about vampires, gossip, and romance – not all YA books that do have those features lack depth. YA literature often contains similar themes to those found in the literary canon, presents a wider variety of diverse and inclusive perspectives, stars protagonists of similar age or sensibilities to young adult readers, and provides a safe avenue for vicariously gaining new experiences. If young adult readers find the subject matter or characters in a book compelling and connect to the story, they are more likely to be interested in continuing reading.
In fact, good YA literature can bridge a gap between the surface-level simplicity of Winnie the Pooh and the surface-level complexity of Jane Eyre, preparing young adults not only for the increased complexity and critical analysis of adult literature, but also for the increased complexity and critical analysis of their rapidly-approaching development of adult lives. In their book, Literature for Today’s Young Adults, authors Alleen Nilsen and Kenneth Donelson posit that good YA literature contains protagonists who reflect teen readers’ experiences or ‘go beyond experiences so that readers can use the fictional experiences to learn and develop in their own lives.’ Through these characters and their stories, young adult readers can form their stances on their identities and ethics, learning such concepts as love, death, life, fear, courage, depression, hope, self-expression, and human relations. Although the protagonists of YA literature tend to be teen themselves, the depth of themes and variety of perspectives provided in YA literature are universal and readers of any age or background can find entertainment and wisdom in these stories…” Nichelle
In fact, good YA literature can bridge a gap between the surface-level simplicity of Winnie the Pooh and the surface-level complexity of Jane Eyre, preparing young adults not only for the increased complexity and critical analysis of adult literature, but also for the increased complexity and critical analysis of their rapidly-approaching development of adult lives. In their book, Literature for Today’s Young Adults, authors Alleen Nilsen and Kenneth Donelson posit that good YA literature contains protagonists who reflect teen readers’ experiences or ‘go beyond experiences so that readers can use the fictional experiences to learn and develop in their own lives.’ Through these characters and their stories, young adult readers can form their stances on their identities and ethics, learning such concepts as love, death, life, fear, courage, depression, hope, self-expression, and human relations. Although the protagonists of YA literature tend to be teen themselves, the depth of themes and variety of perspectives provided in YA literature are universal and readers of any age or background can find entertainment and wisdom in these stories…” Nichelle
19. “…As a final point to be made on why there is so much value in YA literature, I’m currently 23 years old, not old by any stretch, but my days of being high-school aged are far behind me. Even so, many of the books I’ve read for this class will stick with me for many years. Moments like the heart-drop feeling I felt when Mong decides to walk into the cold morning ocean in We Were Here, the frustrations I feel alongside Melinda when she tries to process all that’s happened to her since her rape, and my relief when she finally speaks up about it in Speak, or even my reaction to how the story arch of John Paul Jones ends in Whale Talk. Moments in these ‘simple books for kids’ that will remain with me for a long time to come. There’s so much power here. It would be a shame to simply write them off, as many do.” Eduardo
20. “…YA literature can be paired with canonical literature. For example, We Were Here by Matt de la Peña can certainly be paired with Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck who is considered a canonical writer in American literature; both novels depict similar narratives and themes of friendship and rejection. de la Peña’s novel is set in a more modern time and has colloquial language that is more engaging for teens. The themes in de la Peña’s are rather mature and students can take more meaningful lessons from the book because they can be more engaged with the text. Steinbeck’s novel takes place in a rural setting and is a narrative regarding the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression and is not something to which most, if not all high school students can relate. The power and effectiveness of reading YA literature is that it embodies the same themes as canonical literature, but at the same time engages the average reluctant teen reader…” Anton
21. “…Both examples [The Princess Diaries and Speak] I have used are from the Contemporary Realistic Fiction genre, but that does not mean the other YA novels are any less worthy of being covered in a course. According to Literature for Today’s Young Adults, the most successful YA novels deal with emotion that are important to young adults. Marc Aronson says that what makes realistic novels succeed is their level of intimacy: ‘Does a book have the potential to touch readers so deeply that, in the struggle with it, they begin to see and shape themselves?’ This is important, this is something that needs to be noticed and shared. This is what the point of YA literature is all about. And even long past the age of ‘young adult,’ even years after my issues were resolved, books like these spoke to me on a level no other book has. Books like these – ones which speak to people on such a deep level -- need to be taught to people even at the university level because it [YA literature] is something that can help others identify with and understand young adults, but also better understand who they were as young adults. Caitlin
22. “YA literature is salient in young adults’ overall growth into contributing adults. The many novels in the genre cover a wide array of themes but, most importantly, they instill two key qualities of confidence and understanding identity. Reading at any early age sets youth up with tools to succeed in life – giving them a chance at conquering real life issues before they arise. The inclusion of YA literature will allow these future leaders to have a grasp on the world – an understanding that allows them to be better prepared as friends, parents, and innovators. YA literature is as diverse as the readers and the lives they live, making it an effective genre to instill life values that are fundamental to social advancement. Furthermore, the incorporation of YA literature allows for safe experimentation of young adults through the eyes of characters, giving them an edge in the understanding of the world. In other words, YA is seminal and the reason for this is simple: the novels in the genre do more than tell the stories of fantastical lands, familial drama, and love stories; they give teens a better understanding of the world through something that is relevant to them – a story that is relatable. YA literature gives teens a chance to mentally and spiritually develop into strong, independent, and contributing adults to the world they live in, and that alone is reason enough to include it in English courses across the educational sector. Jordan
23. “…A particular instance in Speak that highlights the insight it has to offer young adults comes on page 122:
Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag…
The next time you work on your tree, don’t think about trees. Think about
love, or hate, or joy, or rage – whatever makes you feel something, makes your
palms sweat or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don’t express
themselves, they die one piece at a time. You’d be shocked at how many adults
are really dead inside…
This quote is representative of the book in the way that it expresses the true depth in theme that Speak covers. Many students can and will be impassioned by this kind of insight as it is presented in a way that is clear, concise, and not fogged over with flowery language or content to which teens can’t relate. Young people are in a constant state of finding themselves, and Speak offers a tremendous amount of guidance within its themes.
In addition to Speak’s relatability to teens on a personal level, it has huge potential to be paired successfully with traditional canonical works of literature. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a wonderful potential pairing with Speak. Not only is The Scarlet Letter referenced in the book, Speak, the main characters of each story, Melinda and Hester have common trials that they each go through. One particular commonality between Hester and Melinda is the fact that each of them has been harshly judged by the society around them. Hester is branded as an immoral adulteress, and Melinda is viewed as a reject and troublemaker, both of these labels unfair and incorrect of each protagonist…” Annie
Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag…
The next time you work on your tree, don’t think about trees. Think about
love, or hate, or joy, or rage – whatever makes you feel something, makes your
palms sweat or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don’t express
themselves, they die one piece at a time. You’d be shocked at how many adults
are really dead inside…
This quote is representative of the book in the way that it expresses the true depth in theme that Speak covers. Many students can and will be impassioned by this kind of insight as it is presented in a way that is clear, concise, and not fogged over with flowery language or content to which teens can’t relate. Young people are in a constant state of finding themselves, and Speak offers a tremendous amount of guidance within its themes.
In addition to Speak’s relatability to teens on a personal level, it has huge potential to be paired successfully with traditional canonical works of literature. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a wonderful potential pairing with Speak. Not only is The Scarlet Letter referenced in the book, Speak, the main characters of each story, Melinda and Hester have common trials that they each go through. One particular commonality between Hester and Melinda is the fact that each of them has been harshly judged by the society around them. Hester is branded as an immoral adulteress, and Melinda is viewed as a reject and troublemaker, both of these labels unfair and incorrect of each protagonist…” Annie
24. “…Another book that has multiple themes for young adults is We Were Here by Mattde la Peña. This book not only covers identity, but guilt, friendship, and family as well. Twenty-five percent of adults choose not to read – and the protagonist of this story, Miguel, is one who goes against those numbers. He is a kid that is sent to juvenile hall for accidentally killing his brother, and then [to] a group home, but in his introduction he states that he loves to read, ‘I even read some on my own, though I never let my bro catch me…So I might as well read a damn book, you know?’ (37-38) Miguel tries to make it seem like he does not think reading is cool, but in actuality he loves doing it and makes it a point to try and read every book in the group home by the time he is out. The fact that he is in a group home and still loves to read even though the kids make fun of him shows that he has decided to be his own person and not let the judgment of others influence him. This is important for students because there is a lot of pressure on students to do or not do certain activities because of the judgment that may be passed on them; reading is one of them. As Miguel says in We Were Here, ‘Trust me, where we’re from it ain’t cool to read no book unless some teacher’s making you’ (38). Many young adults might also feel this way, but having a fictional character that they can relate to might ease their comfort a little bit and reassure them that being their own person with their own decisions is okay…
The value of YA literature is underappreciated by most, as I would personally know. Coming to this class I was unaware of just how crucial it was for young adults to be exposed to this literature; but leaving, I would like to go out and promote its value. If I do go into teaching, I will incorporate not only YA literature into my curriculum, but also probably teach [or use] some of the books that we have read in class. The value is in the personal connections with the readers as well as the necessity to think critically -- YA does both. It deserves a place in English courses at both the high school and university level because the themes are relevant to all ages, but especially [to] those in high school. I know personally that I did not connect with the literature that was assigned in high school because it did not relate to me; but YA literature does – it has characters and themes that almost all can relate to because they are so real and have real-life problems. For this, it deserves to be in the literary canon and is vital for the teen reader.” Randi
The value of YA literature is underappreciated by most, as I would personally know. Coming to this class I was unaware of just how crucial it was for young adults to be exposed to this literature; but leaving, I would like to go out and promote its value. If I do go into teaching, I will incorporate not only YA literature into my curriculum, but also probably teach [or use] some of the books that we have read in class. The value is in the personal connections with the readers as well as the necessity to think critically -- YA does both. It deserves a place in English courses at both the high school and university level because the themes are relevant to all ages, but especially [to] those in high school. I know personally that I did not connect with the literature that was assigned in high school because it did not relate to me; but YA literature does – it has characters and themes that almost all can relate to because they are so real and have real-life problems. For this, it deserves to be in the literary canon and is vital for the teen reader.” Randi
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