A young adult literature textbook for the youth librarian in a public library and the middle and high school librarians in school libraries.
This book is for the LIS instructor who is looking for something that combines the literature with the practical in teaching courses in materials for children and young adults for an audience of school and public children's librarians. It provides an activity oriented survey of young adult literature for undergraduate and graduate students seeking licensure and degrees leading to careers working with young adults in school and public libraries. Actions that teachers, librarians, young adults, and students of library science may choose for involving themselves in literature are embedded in a genre approach.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Young Adults and Their Literature
Defining Young Adults
Defining Young Adults as Individuals
Defining Young Adults through Reading Preferences, Interests, and Choices
Reading Surveys
Reading Survey Questions
Young Adult Reading Choices
Characteristics of Popular Young Adult Fiction
Defining Young Adults as Types of Readers
Reluctant Readers
Boy Readers and Girl Readers
Defining Young Adults through Developmental Tasks
Can I Accept the Way My Body Looks?
How Do Boys Behave? How Do Girls Behave?
Am I Acting More Mature Socially?
Am I Beginning to Understand Sexuality, Marriage, and Parenthood?
Am I Aware of Other Community Groups Outside My Own?
Can I Function Emotionally Without Depending On My Parents and Other Adults?
Do I Know What Career I Want to Pursue? Have I Begun Preparing for It?
What Do I Believe in? Do I Know How to Behave Ethically?
Defining Young Adult Literature
History in Action: Early Adult Books Read by Young People
More History in Action: First Books Written for Young Adults
Authors in Action: Paul Zindel
Contemporary Young Adult Literature
Characteristics of Young Adult Novels
One Book in Action: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Selecting Books for Young Adults
Literature in Action: Awards and Award Lists
Best Books for Young Adults
Young Adults’ Choices
Margaret A. Edwards Award
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Michael L. Printz Award
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
Outstanding Books for the College Bound
Alex Awards
Audiobooks
Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
Book Review Sources
Professional Resources for Selecting Books
Librarians in Action: Celebrating Teen Read Week
A Note from Pam Spencer, Past President of YALSA
Conclusion
Professional Resources for Reading Promotion and Services
Assignments in Action: Young Adults and Their Literature
Chapter 2: Quick Reads
Comic Books
Superheroes and Cartoon Characters
Graphic Novels
Literary Graphic Novels
Fictional Literary Graphic Novels
Informational Literary Graphic Novels
Manga
Librarians in Action: A Manga Club
Potential Benefits of Graphic Novels
Professional Resources for Graphic Novels and Comic Books
Recommended Literary Graphic Novels
Picture Books for Young Adults
Recommended Picture Books for Teens
Series Books
History in Action: Early Series Books
Popularity of Series Books
Selecting Series Books
Short Stories
Topics in Short Story Collections
Authors in Action: Teleconferencing with Chris Crutcher
Librarians in Action: Reading Aloud to Young Adult
Magazines and Zines
What Are Zines?
Professional Resources for Selecting Magazines
Poetry
Poems of Romantic Love
Sports Poetry
Poems about Teen Tragedy, Angst, and Joy
Literature in Action: Poetry Slams and Open Mics
Poetry Written by Young Adults
Poems about Neighborhoods
Humorous Poetry
Classic Poets
Verse Novels
Conclusion
Assignments in Action: Quick Reads for Discussion
Chapter 3: Realistic Fiction
Light Modern Realistic Fiction
Humor
Chick Lit
Guy Humor
Mysteries
History in Action: Early Mysteries
Types of Mysteries
Murder Mysteries
Psychological Thrillers
Wilderness Adventure/Survival Stories
One Book in Action: The Big Wander by Will Hobbs
Sports Stories
Romantic Love Stories
Boys and Girls in Love
Fairy Tale Characters in Love
Classic Characters in Love
Literature in Action: Love Letters to Authors
Stories of Sexual Orientation
Concerns about Sexuality in Young Adult Fiction
Dark Modern Realistic Fiction
Rape
School Violence
Street Violence, Drug Abuse, and Homelessness
Dealing with Grief
Historical Fiction
Characteristics of the Best Historical Fiction
Authors in Action: Richard Peck
War
Other Historical Eras
Librarians in Action: Booktalking
A Checklist to Successful Booktalking
Survival! A Booktalking Topic in Action
Professional Booktalking Resources
Conclusion
Assignments in Action: Realistic Fiction for Discussion
Chapter 4: Fantastic Fiction
Fantasy
Characteristics of High Fantasy
One Book in Action: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Favorite Authors of Fantasy
Lloyd Alexander (1924–2007)
T.A. Barron (1952– )
Susan Cooper (1935–2008)
Diane Wynne Jones (1934– )
Ursula K. Le Guin (1929– )
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Garth Nix (1963– )
Christopher Paolini (1983– )
Terry Pratchett (1948– )
Philip Pullman (1946– )
J.K. Rowling (1965– )
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973)
British Literature Awards for Young Adult Literature
Horror
Witches and Wizards
Harry Potter, A Wizard Hero
Dragons
Librarians in Action: Connect Dragons with Art!
Vampires and Werewolves
Authors in Action: Stephenie Meyer
Other Fantastic Creatures
Librarians in Action: Celebrate Halloween!
Short Stories for Quick, Fantastic Reading
Science Fiction
History in Action: Classic Science Fiction Titles
Science Fiction Written for Young Adult Readers
Literature in Action: Guys Read Science Fiction!
Authors in Action: William Sleator
Movies Based on Young Adult Books
Conclusion
Professional Resources for Fantasy and Science Fiction
Assignments in Action: Fantastic Fiction for Discussion
Chapter 5: Informational Books
History in Action: First Newbery Medal
The Orbis Pictus Award
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
Biographies and Autobiographies
Biography Series
Other Biographical Choices
Autobiography
Organizing Biographies and Autobiographies
Authors in Action: The Lives of Favorite Young Adult Authors
Literature in Action: Biographies and Caricatures
Other Informational Books
One Book in Action: An American Plague by Jim Murphy
Format of Informational Books
Reference Sources and Research
A Research Process
10 Classes of Dewey: Sample Titles
000—Computer Science, Information and General Works
100—Philosophy, Parapsychology and Occultism, Psychology
200—Religion
300—Social Sciences
400—Language
500—Natural Sciences and Mathematics
600—Technology (Applied Sciences)
700—The Arts, Fine and Decorative Arts
800—Literature (Belles Lettres) and Rhetoric
900—History, Geography, and Auxiliary Disciplines
Librarians in Action: Booktalking Informational Books
Information Literacy Standards for 21st-Century Learners
Conclusion
Professional Resources for Informational Books
Assignments in Action: Informational Books for Discussion
Chapter 6: Cultural Diversity
Cultural Awareness and Understanding
A Model of Cultural Understanding
African Americans
Criteria for the Selection of Coretta Scott King Awards
10 Elements of Cultural Understanding
Racism and Prejudice
Language and the Arts
History of Oppression
Poverty and Economic Concerns
Acculturation
Sociopolitical Factors
Child-Rearing Practices
Religious Practices
Family Structures and Dynamics
Cultural Values and Attitudes
Authors in Action: Distinguished African Americans
History in Action: First Minority Authors to Win John Newbery Awards
Latino/Latina Americans
Pura Belpré Award
Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award
Américas Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Award-Winning Books about Latino / Latina Americans
Asian Americans
Recommended Books about Asian Americans
Native Americans
Realistic Fiction about Native Americans
One Book in Action: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Jewish Americans
Association of Jewish Libraries—Book Awards
Award-Winning Novels about Jewish Americans
Recommended Collections of Multiethnic Short Stories
International Cultures
Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Recommended Fiction and Nonfiction from International Cultures
Librarians in Action: Podcasting and Reader’s Advisory
Conclusion
Professional Resources about Cultural Diversity
Assignments in Action: Cultural Diversity for Discussion
Chapter 7: The Freedom to Read
Definitions of Intellectual Freedom Terms
History in Action: Classic Challenges
Major Stages in Handling Book Challenges
Be Informed
Be Prepared
Understand the Levels of Complaints and Challenges
Inform Students, Teachers, Administrators, and Parents (the Learning Community)
Librarians in Action: An ALA President Speaks Out
One Book in Action: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Literature in Action: Celebrating Banned Books!
Web-Accessible Intellectual Freedom Documents
Conclusion
Professional Resources about Intellectual Freedom
Assignments in Action: The Freedom to Read for Discussion
Professional References
Reference List of Young Adult Books
Index
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Young Adults and Their Literature
Chapter 2: Quick Reads
Chapter 3: Realistic Fiction
Chapter 4: Fantastic Fiction
Chapter 5: Informational Books
Chapter 6: Cultural Diversity
Chapter 7: The Freedom to Read
Reviews
"Young Adult Literature in Action will be a great text for courses in young adult literature at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It also is suitable for inclusion in professional collections for public librarians and school librarians serving the young adult. Librarians looking for a collection development tool can put this title to work for them. This book is filled with information about the young adult, literacy issues of the young adult, awards presented in the young adult field, organizations dedicated to young adult literature, resources for further study, and much more. . . . This is an outstanding title. . ."—Catholic Library World
