Here is the theme for this year's conference. The ALAN Conference begins two months from today. It is probably not too late to sign up, but it is getting close.
Every year after the main Convention of the National Council of Teachers (NCTE) is over, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE (ALAN) holds a two day workshop focused on Young Adult Literature. In large measure, the event is dependent on the generosity of the publishers who support the authors who attend and provide books. Upon arrival, each attendee is given a large box of books. Every year, I have so much to attend at the conference that I don’t have much time to read. I immediately walk my box down to the closest shipping office and send it home. (Of course, I hold on to a few books.) The workshop is a whirlwind of panels, speeches, breakout sessions, and great conversations with colleagues and new acquaintances. When I get home, I await the box, enjoy Thanksgiving with family, and when the books arrive I open it with the excitement of an early holiday present.
I sort through the books and pick my first ten post-conference reads. Often, I look forward to a new offering from familiar author, but, just as frequently, I reach for a book from an author that is new to me. Every year I am surprised that I wasn’t aware of a great author with several fantastic books under her belt. Oh, well, there is no time like the present to find another great author.
Every year after the main Convention of the National Council of Teachers (NCTE) is over, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE (ALAN) holds a two day workshop focused on Young Adult Literature. In large measure, the event is dependent on the generosity of the publishers who support the authors who attend and provide books. Upon arrival, each attendee is given a large box of books. Every year, I have so much to attend at the conference that I don’t have much time to read. I immediately walk my box down to the closest shipping office and send it home. (Of course, I hold on to a few books.) The workshop is a whirlwind of panels, speeches, breakout sessions, and great conversations with colleagues and new acquaintances. When I get home, I await the box, enjoy Thanksgiving with family, and when the books arrive I open it with the excitement of an early holiday present.
I sort through the books and pick my first ten post-conference reads. Often, I look forward to a new offering from familiar author, but, just as frequently, I reach for a book from an author that is new to me. Every year I am surprised that I wasn’t aware of a great author with several fantastic books under her belt. Oh, well, there is no time like the present to find another great author.
sHere are five books and authors that made my top ten last year. (By the way one of the books of Jason Reynolds was in my top ten, but he got the space last week.)
1. Hit Count by Chris Lynch grabs the first spot. I love the gritty reality of Chris Lynch’s fiction. I have a long relationship with his fiction. One of my favorite academic productions is an article I wrote for the ALAN Review in 2008 (V 35, N2) on his novel Inexcusable. I finished Hit Count right away. In this book Lynch continues to provide a rugged portrayal of an adolescent’s relationship to sports. This book not only explores Arlo’s relationship to his family, his girlfriend and his sport—football, but delves into the dangerous consequences of concussions. An issue that stays with us and shouldn’t go away. In fact, Will Smith will play Dr. Bennet Omalu in the upcoming film, Concussion. I love the way that Lynch present tough issues.
1. Hit Count by Chris Lynch grabs the first spot. I love the gritty reality of Chris Lynch’s fiction. I have a long relationship with his fiction. One of my favorite academic productions is an article I wrote for the ALAN Review in 2008 (V 35, N2) on his novel Inexcusable. I finished Hit Count right away. In this book Lynch continues to provide a rugged portrayal of an adolescent’s relationship to sports. This book not only explores Arlo’s relationship to his family, his girlfriend and his sport—football, but delves into the dangerous consequences of concussions. An issue that stays with us and shouldn’t go away. In fact, Will Smith will play Dr. Bennet Omalu in the upcoming film, Concussion. I love the way that Lynch present tough issues.
2. He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander was my second choice. It was a great year for Kwame. He won the Newberry Medal for The Crossover and he was an author keynote for the YA Conference at LSU in June. His work keeps finding its way into every syllabus I write. If you haven't introduced yourself to his work, get started. Kwame is a gem in the world of young adult literature.
3. Andrew Smith's 100 Sideways Miles was a great prize. I am not the first to connect the fabulous narratives of Andrew Smith to the works of Kurt Vonnegut. Walter Mayes made that connection while introducing him at the ALAN Breakfast. I first found Smith through Winger. I am still upset that I didn’t found his work earlier. I charged through 100 Sideways Miles, found great joy in The Alex Crow, and I just finished Stand-Off today. I believe his impact on YA literature is significant and worthy of promotion and academic investigation. I sense a blog posting on Smith in the very near future.
4. Kekla Magoon's How it Went Down was the fourth pick. Wow! A fantastic book that reminds us about perspective and forces us to contemplate how we respond to urban violence. Now, Magoon finds her collaborative work about the early life of Malcom X (X: A Novel) on the final list for the National Book Award. You can find a great review here. Magoon is establishing her place as a rising star. I can't wait for what she will publish next.
5. Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg is my last choice for this week. I enjoyed this book immensely. It fits into the category of realistic fiction placed within the setting of a boarding school. Think, The Catcher in the Rye, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Winger, Prep, Anna and the French Kiss, A Separate Peace, Looking for Alaska, and, of course, the Harry Potter series. Bill is near the end of a tour around the country in behave of the Trevor project. His books are witty and powerful. More importantly, they save lives. His efforts as an advocate are remarkable and I immediately read The Porcupine of Truth.
If you aren't familiar with these authors, you really should be. All of them have made a significant impact in the YA universe. The books I highlight here are fantastic, but, in addition, each one of these authors has other books that are terrific.
The ALAN Workshop is just around the corner and the list of authors is fantastic. If you have been before, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't been, figure out a way to get there. Until next week.
If you aren't familiar with these authors, you really should be. All of them have made a significant impact in the YA universe. The books I highlight here are fantastic, but, in addition, each one of these authors has other books that are terrific.
The ALAN Workshop is just around the corner and the list of authors is fantastic. If you have been before, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't been, figure out a way to get there. Until next week.
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