rThis post address two issues. First, it will briefly review the contribution and work of Chris Lynch. Chris is a writer whose work has the power to engage readers. He is one of the first writers I think about when people ask about authors that boys might enjoy. Second, I turn the column over to Bryan Gillis so that he can provide information about the 2017 KSU Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults. What is the connection? Last year Chris Lynch was one of the Keynote Speakers at the 2016 conference.
Many of my students are tired of hearing this story. One of the first times I went to the ALAN workshop and was sitting near the back with my good friend, Melanie Hundley (I still wish I could read and retain information as fast as she does.), I discovered Chris Lynch. As we explored our books. I slowed down as I read the cover blurb for Inexcusable. Before Chris spoke at the conference I was nearly finished with the book. Something about the narrator, the tone, and the topic drew me into the book. I know there has been ongoing controversy about the subject matter, the ending, how it works with or against Anderson’s masterpiece Speak, but it was one of those novels that worked for me. I had to discuss it, I wanted to write about it, and I asked students to read it and share their ideas. Long story short, I did all of that and it was one of the first papers (find it here) I wrote and had accepted by The ALAN Review.
Many of my students are tired of hearing this story. One of the first times I went to the ALAN workshop and was sitting near the back with my good friend, Melanie Hundley (I still wish I could read and retain information as fast as she does.), I discovered Chris Lynch. As we explored our books. I slowed down as I read the cover blurb for Inexcusable. Before Chris spoke at the conference I was nearly finished with the book. Something about the narrator, the tone, and the topic drew me into the book. I know there has been ongoing controversy about the subject matter, the ending, how it works with or against Anderson’s masterpiece Speak, but it was one of those novels that worked for me. I had to discuss it, I wanted to write about it, and I asked students to read it and share their ideas. Long story short, I did all of that and it was one of the first papers (find it here) I wrote and had accepted by The ALAN Review.
One Event: Two Novels
Now, a little over a decade later, Lynch has published a sequel, Irreversible. I find his commitment to writing books with characters who are constantly present in the narrative both refreshing and engaging. As I read more of his novels, his male protagonists felt familiar to me. It was as if I had been passing them in the halls for the twenty five years I taught high school. They were there, but because of their bravado, their athletic success, or their “popularity”, the incidents or issues that haunted them frequently went unaddressed by parents, teachers, and administrators. Too often, these are the students who cascade downward and out of control. Chris is brilliant at capturing the essences of these characters. The characters jump of the page; Eric in Iceman, Arlo in Hit Count, or Keir, the trouble protagonist, in Inexcusable and Irreversible all portray, simultaneously, a sense of strength and vulnerability.
I believe Lynch’s fiction embodies an argument for why difficult books should be on the shelves, included in the curriculum, and discussed openly. His characters represent a host of students who struggle with the notions of success, athletic prowess, and violence in a world that praises a box score. At the same time, is seems that our cluture doesn’t know how to address the results of unleashed and unabated inappropriate “locker room” talk and behavior that occasionally accompanies these young men beyond the game.
I recommend Lynch’s work enthusiastically. I would point directly to a rereading of Inexcusable followed by an exploration of Irreversible. Together, both books represent a study in character, unchecked actions, and unavoidable consequences.
In the rest of the blog you will find two galleries of Chris novels and an interview. Below the interview you will find Bryan Gillis’s introduction to the KSU conference. I hope this brief review of Chris Lynch and his work will give you a brief insight to the fine gathering of authors that Bryan manages to gather year after year.
I believe Lynch’s fiction embodies an argument for why difficult books should be on the shelves, included in the curriculum, and discussed openly. His characters represent a host of students who struggle with the notions of success, athletic prowess, and violence in a world that praises a box score. At the same time, is seems that our cluture doesn’t know how to address the results of unleashed and unabated inappropriate “locker room” talk and behavior that occasionally accompanies these young men beyond the game.
I recommend Lynch’s work enthusiastically. I would point directly to a rereading of Inexcusable followed by an exploration of Irreversible. Together, both books represent a study in character, unchecked actions, and unavoidable consequences.
In the rest of the blog you will find two galleries of Chris novels and an interview. Below the interview you will find Bryan Gillis’s introduction to the KSU conference. I hope this brief review of Chris Lynch and his work will give you a brief insight to the fine gathering of authors that Bryan manages to gather year after year.
How do characters deal with the physical and emotional violence in their lives?
This is one of the question that a reader might ask about many of the characters and situations that occur in the realistic fiction of Chris Lynch.
This is one of the question that a reader might ask about many of the characters and situations that occur in the realistic fiction of Chris Lynch.
Chris allow has a series of novels that explore how young men react when they are asked to serve their country. His series of military novels set in Vietnam and in World War II confront these complex issues.
Steve Bickmore interview with Chris Lynch September 2016
The Kennesaw State University Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults
March 20-21, 2017, Kennesaw, Georgia
March 20-21, 2017, Kennesaw, Georgia
Time sure flies. It seems like just yesterday I was a doctoral candidate under the watchful eye of Dr. Jim Blasingame at Arizona State, and now I’m beginning my 9th year at Kennesaw State and my 6th year as director of the KSU Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults. Over the past 8 years, we have entertained an amazing group of authors- Chris Crutcher, Gene Luen Yang, Matt de la Peña, Jaqueline Woodson, T.A. Barron, Andrew Smith, Chris Lynch, Jay Asher, Chris Crowe, Lisa McMann, Alan Sitomer, Kate Messner, and Tom Leveen, just to name a few. Not to mention some pretty great presenters as well, including my buddy, Dr. Bickmore!
The KSU Literature Conference provides teachers, preservice teachers, public and school librarians, media specialists, and school administrators with a two-day experience in which participants learn from and interact with several highly acclaimed young adult and children's literature authors and attend presentations from master teachers and experts in the field on all facets of literacy instruction.
The KSU Literature Conference provides teachers, preservice teachers, public and school librarians, media specialists, and school administrators with a two-day experience in which participants learn from and interact with several highly acclaimed young adult and children's literature authors and attend presentations from master teachers and experts in the field on all facets of literacy instruction.
What I love most about the conference is its intimate atmosphere. Attendees are able to converse and network in a relaxed, collegial environment.
Each day, featured authors engage participants in interactive keynotes, breakouts, and book signing sessions. In addition, between 25-30 breakout sessions are offered each day, featuring experts in literacy and literature from all over the country.
Each day, featured authors engage participants in interactive keynotes, breakouts, and book signing sessions. In addition, between 25-30 breakout sessions are offered each day, featuring experts in literacy and literature from all over the country.
Lauire Halse Anderson
Ashley Hope Perez
Deborah Wiles
Carole Boston Weatherford
I hope you will consider attending and/or submitting a proposal to present. I encourage you to register soon as we have limited seating each day in order to preserve the intimate nature of the conference. Information on registration, location, and proposals can be found at lcya.kennesaw.edu.
I look forward to seeing you there! Bryan Gillis, Associate Professor, Kennesaw State University
I look forward to seeing you there! Bryan Gillis, Associate Professor, Kennesaw State University
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