Young adult (YA) literature refers to books written for teenage audiences that deal with issues relevant to teenagers such as relationships, identity, and the future. While YA literature was once narrowly defined as books for ages 12-18, the genre has expanded and is now more broadly defined. Some argue this expansion has led to less original, shallow works. However, others note that quality YA literature can have universal appeal while still representing diversity. It is important to consider works individually rather than making absolute judgments.

1. LIB 617 Research in Young Adult Literature What is Young Adult Literature? Fall 2009

2. What is YA Literature? What it is not “Young adult literature is not classic literature written by dead white men.” Attributed to Dr. Faith A. Wallace, professor in Secondary and Middle Grades Education at Kennesaw State University. Intro to Young Adult Literature: Appreciating the Complex World of YAL © Mechele R. DillardJan 26, 2007 2

3. 3 So, what is YA Lit? Young-adult fiction Young-adult fiction, whether in the form of novels or short stories, has distinct attributes that distinguish it from the other age categories of fiction: adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and children’s fiction. The vast majority of YA stories portray an adolescent as the protagonist, rather than an adult or a child.

4. 4 What is YA Literature? Definition #1: YA literature refers to books written specifically for a teenage audience. The books usually have a young protagonist and present that young person dealing with issues that other young people all face (belonging, falling in love, or deciding what to do in the future, for example) or issues that young people are afraid they may have to face (violence, drug dependency, alcoholism, being alone, death of a loved one, pregnancy, or divorce of parents). HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: YA: FAQ (We're Glad You Asked!)

5. 5 What is YA Literature? Definition #2: YA literature is anything young adults are reading of their own free will. Teenagers vary widely in their reading interests. Definition #3: YA literature is any book marketed as YA by a publisher. Sometimes the classification of a book as YA seems arbitrary. YA: FAQ (We're Glad You Asked!)

6. 6 Derogatory views As a genre it has been referred to as: ‘Adult Lite’, not a real book a genre not in its own right, a step up to adult books (Aronson, p. 19) novels for slow learners books just about sex and drugs, dysfunctional families and dropping out, and a ‘sub-literature’ not worthy of discussion, especially in the class room (England and Mertz, p. 119). Developing a love of reading: why young adult literature is important

7. 7 Carte Blanche What Is Young-Adult Literature? Does anyone any longer know what we mean by the term young-adult literature? Not so long ago, I would have said, without too much fear of contradiction, that it meant books for readers from 12 to 18 years old. But, over the course of the last several years, the term has grown so restlessly expansive that it now seems to embrace titles for readers as young as 10 and (arguably) as old as 35.

9. 10 Why define YA Lit, then? Selecting books for young adults is difficult. [Young adults] read for information and for pleasure. They read to escape the confines of their own lives, and to better understand their world. Gender, age, and personal reading preferences influence young adults’ book selections. Some young adults select books published especially for their age level; others select books published for adults. Young adults may read a novel because of its plot, theme, style, or other literary characteristics. A Portrait of Popularity:An Analysis of Characteristics of Novels from Young Adults' Choices for 1997by Rosemary Chance

10. 11 Chance’s study YA’s tend to choose “character-driven” novels: protagonists are round and dynamic, . . . well developed the majority of the novels have conflict that centers on people, person-against-self and person-against-person protagonists tell their stories from first person point of view backdrop settings illuminate character the major thematic idea is becoming self-aware and responsible for one's own life.

11. 12 Characteristics of YA Lit YAL involves a teenage protagonist and often reflects and interprets their views YAL is fast-paced. Generally, its dialogue is direct and confrontational, and the language is sparse YAL includes a variety of genres, themes and subjects YAL is basically optimistic, or at least hopeful

12. 13 A reason for encouraging reading? “. . . a thoughtful and concerned teacher can successfully pick good literature and encourage students to independently become compassionate American citizens who read and think about others who are living in worlds very different from their own.” In the Beginning: Recognizing Diversity in Children’s and Adolescent LiteratureExploring Culturally Diverse Literature

13. 14 A Matrix for Evaluation Elsewhere Somewhere Diversity SOMETHING Local, specificsubstantialcontent Recognizable, but shallow NOTHING Generic, lacking in depth or real meaning General, but still substantial and meaningful Nowhere Everywhere Sameness

14. Something? Unique objects, persons, services, etc. that have deep meaning, often created and controlled by people in the local area where they are used or encountered, or have universal significance. Based on Ritzer, George. (2003, September). Rethinking globalization: Glocalization/grobalizationand something/nothing. Sociological Theory, 21, 3: 196 and Ritzer, George (2004). The Globalization of Nothing. Pine Forge Press.

15. Nothing? Objects, persons, services, etc. that are shallow, unoriginal, and created and controlled by impersonal entities far away from where they are used or encountered. Based on Ritzer, George. (2003, September). Rethinking globalization: Glocalization/grobalizationand something/nothing. Sociological Theory, 21, 3: 196 and Ritzer, George (2004). The Globalization of Nothing. Pine Forge Press.

16. Examples of something--nothing SOMETHING NOTHING Place (community bank)------------------Nonplace (credit card co.) Thing (personal loan)----------------------Nothing (credit card loan) Person (personal banker)-----------------Nonperson (telemarketer) Service (individualized assistance)------Nonservice (ATM) Adapted from Ritzer, G. (2003, September). Rethinking globalization: Glocalization/grobalizationand something/nothing. Sociological Theory, 21, 3: 196.

17. 18 Top Left Sector of Matrix Something---Somewhere Diversity Somewhere Folklore: Folklore is the body of expressiveculture,includingtales,music,dance,legends,oral history,proverbs,jokes,popular beliefs,customs,material culture, and so forth, common to a particular population, comprising thetraditions(includingoral traditions) of that culture,subculture, orgroup.(Wikipedia) SOMETHING

18. Folktales and Young Adults 19

19. 20 Bottom Left Sector of Matrix Something----Everywhere Diversity SOMETHING Quality literature, sometimes adaptations or else original writing, with universal appeal and meaning Sameness Everywhere

20. Quality “Books with Bite” Appeal of mutants Teen readers are drawn to figures such as the winged changelings Linnet [Laurel Winter’s Growing Wings] and Owl [Patricia Kindl’sOwl in Love ] and the understandable vampires Chris and Simon, not only because they are resolute in their desire to be themselves, but because they stand as representative of the “lust for life” and the yearning for freedom that youth also feel. Elaine J. O’Quinn, Vampires, Changelings, and Radical Mutant Teens: What the Demons, Freaks, and Other Abominations of Young Adult Literature Can Teach Us About Youth 21

21. 22 Top Right of the Matrix Nothing---Elsewhere Elsewhere Diversity NOTHING Recognizable stories, but less original and some shallowness

22. An example here? Would The Twilight Saga fit? Here’s one opinion [SPOILER!]: Edward/Bella is an incredibly juvenile, thoughtless portrayal of alleged true love. Sure, on the surface, it hits every mark on the check list – challenged but not stopped by adversity; the sentiment of “I would die without you” being exercised again and again, with each of them to some degree actually attempting suicide at least once; ultimately bound together by the promise of ‘forever.’ Because Edward’s going to make Bella a vampire, and then they’re going to spend eternity together. Until. The end. Of time. Blog “it’s a psychological analogy” by dollsome, 14 November 2007 23 See a different view from teenreads.com

23. 24 Bottom Right of the Matrix Nothing-----Nowhere NOTHING Generic, unoriginal, impersonal, shallow Nowhere Sameness

24. A Biting Nothing? Vampire Kisses: a “vampire romance novel” Vampire Kissesbegins with a chance meeting of our heroine and hero at a college library . . . Our hero is centuries old and doomed by a vampire’s curse . . . The plot thickens . . . But will love conquer all? Remember: You co-author Vampire Kisses NOT to be confused with the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Scheiber, available both as regular novels and as manga 25

25. 26 Important to consider! Evaluation is subjective No absolute positioning Some elements of diversity in otherwise texts that otherwise might appear to promote sameness.