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John Moore explores the complex interpretive possibilities of young adult novels in the classroom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Reference for Introducing Teens to Literary Theory
Shortly after this book was released my colleague Dr. Helen B. Slaughter selected it for use in the methods course for pre-service secondary English teachers at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. As her graduate assistant in this course I had the occasion to observe students reacting to this unique text in small working groups. I can say the book was generally well-received because of its clarity and consistent attention to praxis (i.e. linking theory to classroom practice). Moreover, the book is organized into separate units to introduce each theory and so was quite conducive to course planning. Each theory is taken in a "walk-through" of a noted YAL text, which provides both a relevant example and focus for class discussion. Given that we had 35 students from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds, and that this class was particularly concerned about identifying models of best teaching practice, the warm reception speaks even more to the strength of this volume. I do recommend it without reservation. ... Read more

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The selections in this anthology, General Introduction, and thoroughly researched biographical and critical introduction to each author and work, as well as footnotes, provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the theme and literary value of each novel. This format offers an opportunity to see the texts in relation to each other as well as to the broad sweep of American literary history. KEY TOPICS Twelve complete novels include Malaeska, Ragged Dick, Anne of Green Gables, All American, Seventeenth Summer, The Outsiders, A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich, The Chocolate War, Forever, Homecoming, Hatchet, and Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida. This coming-of-age literature encourages the reading and enjoyment of young adult literature—offering profound social and psychological exploration, and the realization that today's teens are not alone in their struggles.For adolescent readers—and an appreciation of the literature that represents the significant situations, themes, and emotions shared by youths from diverse families and subcultures. ... Read more

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In Conflict and Connection, Sharon Stringer offers a valuable cross-disciplinary view of how the lives of characters in fiction reflect the growth and behavioral stages of adolescents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Short, Sweet, and...Short!

This book seems a bit overpriced for its barely 100-page length, but each chapter of the book, highly minimal in its diction, is easily understood and categorizes various stages of adolescent development through the lens of famous (and infamous) pieces of adolescent literature, focusing particularly on books by Robert Cormier (The Chocolate War) and Avi (The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle). Approaching teen literature from a psychological standpoint, Sharon Stringer compares influential events in a teenager's life to excerpts from the plots of books like those aforementioned, resulting in a generally empowering analysis of adolescent stages that uplifts the uncomfortable feelings that teens experience and transforms the way adults and teenagers alike think about their own psychological development.

The only problem I have with this book is that it is far too brief to be used an end-all analysis, and the active-voice language used to describe the stages of development essentially paints teenage-hood as an ultimately positive experience for all teens, which is not necessarily true. Furthermore, the subject matter focuses mainly on typically white/Euro-centric experiences, with a few under-analyzed pieces expounding on the experiences of minorities. Some may feel alienated by this book and others may feel empowered, and thus, this book is to be taken lightly. It is a good starting point for thinking about popular children's literature from a psychological/analytical perspective, but one must be aware of its flaws before accepting the views expressed as an ultimate end.

A Must for Middle School Teachers
Teachers love this book and tell me they share the contents with parents at Open House, with administrators when justifying using YA lit in their classrooms, and to plan their literacy lessons.Mothers have said that it helps them to understand what is happening in their middle schoolers' minds.Some of the chapter titles are superb - my favorite is "There's a war going on inside my head." I wish it had been available when I was teaching middle school. ... Read more

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This book is an examination of the major themes and topics of Caroline Cooney. Cooney's large body of work for adolescents defies easy classification. She has written award-winning adventure, suspense, romance, family, mystery, and historical fiction, as well as action-driven horror stories and a time-travel trilogy. Her purpose in some books, most notably the horror such as "The Perfume", is merely to encourage reluctant readers to enjoy literature. However, in her most serious and artistic books, Cooney relies on a source that is likely to surprise her readers: biblical stories and parables. For example, readers can find the seed of the idea that eventually became "Whatever Happened to Janie" in the story of King Solomon's wisdom when he was asked to decide which of two women, both of whom claimed to be mother of an infant, should be recognized as the true mother. The parable of the Good Samaritan provides a backdrop in several of Cooney's most successful novels. Cooney's understated use of Biblical Stories, and the way her Christian faith subtly informs her fiction, are explored in the book. The organization of the text reflects Cooney's major fiction categories: the "Janie" mysteries, romances, catastrophe novels, horror and suspense novels, the time travel trilogy, and Cooney's historical fiction. Representative books are discussed in detail within each chapter. Although most of the text is devoted to critical analysis of her literary work, and of the intersection of fiction and faith in her novels, Cooney's biography is also presented, within the frame of her life as a single mother of grown children, in this text. The influences of her talents as an organist who played regularly for her church, the lessons she has learned from her children when they were teenagers, life experiences that have led her to consider issues of race and gender, and her family support of her work are examples of issues that are discussed, drawing on notes produced during an interview with Cooney, in a brief introductory chapter. ... Read more

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Janet McDonald: The Original Project Girl is a bio-critical study of McDonald and her work as it relates to the contributions she has made to the genre of teen fiction. It explains McDonald's profoundly realistic fiction, which holds wide appeal for teens in search of answers to the coming of age mystery. Catherine Ross-Stroud, in her study of McDonald's works and interviews with the author, has put together a comprehensive resource that will be a useful research tool. ... Read more

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In Responding to Young Adult Literature, Virginia Monseau uncovers the power of young adult literature to evoke the kind of literary experiences that will keep students reading and lead them to a deeper understanding of literature in general and the relationship between literature and life in particular. ... Read more

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Descriptions and critical assessments of more than 600 books, magazines, and databases for the selection of print and nonprint resources. ... Read more

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Aidan Chambers: Master Literary Choreographer is a full-length study that integrates the biography, creative writing, and criticism of one of the most important figures in young adult literature and incorporates these strands into a complete picture that will enhance the understanding of readers. Teachers, librarians, and scholars of young adult literatures, as well as devoted fans and students doing research on Chambers or the subjects of his novels will benefit from this in-depth examination of how his life and thought have influenced his work. ... Read more

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This book provides librarians, educators, and parents with the information they need to recognize the different kinds of young adult fiction available for boys. These books can then be suggested to young men as aids in navigating adolescence, pleasure (or free reading assignment) reading, and tools to improve literacy. The annotated bibliographies are helpful to young adults looking for a good read. ... Read more

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Teaches the writing process using published works as the basis for writing experiences. Authors lead the way to authorship. The book includes literature-based writing ideas and suggestions for expanding students' creative abilities. ... Read more

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This collection of maps, based on 40 works of fiction, non-fiction, travelogues and screen-plays, is designed as a tool for integrating geography with literature studies. Each entry lists title, author, genre and date of publication, and gives a brief geographical summary. ... Read more

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"Lost Masterworks of Young Adult Literature brings to the attention of librarians, teachers, and publishers works of young adult literature that are considered to be worthy of a far wider readership than they currently receive. Many of these lost works" are either out of print or are lost to the attention of many young readers and to adults who promote young adult literature as a worthy and enjoyable genre. A compilation of 26 essays, each focusing on an individual work of literature or on a series of books treated as one, have been written by a stunning list of contributors. Twenty-six contributors each a known writer in the field of young adult literature, focus on an individual work of literature or on a series of books treated as one. Each essay discusses why the book is of interest, profiles its critical qualities that make it a "masterwork" for young adults, and reviews how and why the book appeals to teen readers and how it can be used in the classroom. Aspects of the plot primary characters, events, and the setting are embedded in the discussion of each essay, giving an overview to readers who are not familiar with the book. Contributors include Virginia Euwer Wolff, Katherine Paterson, Sue Ellen Bridgers, Kathleen Krull, and many other award-winning authors. This is an important resource for those who teach young adults and who provide reader's advisory services, as well as for those involved in curriculum planning and instructional design." ... Read more

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An appreciation of the works of Orson Scott Card (author of Ender's Game) in science fiction, fantasy, Biblical fiction, mystery, and other works, both shorter and long, down to the year 2003. Card's faith and his ethical orientation are emphasized. ... Read more

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Twenty-five educators recommend proven novels, nonfiction works, and short story collections that adolescents enjoy. ... Read more

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Angela Johnson is a three-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Author award, the Prinz prize, a MacArthur Foundation genius award, and numerous other book awards. She is the author of 40 books including picture books, middle school text books, poetry books, and young adult novels. This book introduces Johnson's work, illuminating its nuances through research and interviews and correspondence with Johnson. It provides readers with a detailed literary analysis of each work, with an emphasis on cultural insights and connections to African American literary history as well as a summation of published criticism of her work. ... Read more