Notable american authors seminar readings

required readings

1. An introduction to 10 YA authors in the US Kathy Latrobe and Trisha Hutcherson

World Literature Today, Vol. 76, No. 3/4 (Summer - Autumn, 2002), pp. 68-73 available via jstor database

Looking at some of the more modern American authors, but whose books are still held in higher esteem. The article introduces the author and their importance to YA as well as some of their novels.

2. Easing the pain of classics

Katie Porteus YALS journal, summer 2009 16-18

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=6&sid=49538f34-b4b9-4385-9ae4-14f5079e1404%40sessionmgr4

This article looks directly at common high school English books, and ways that both teachers as well as librarians can make these materials more accessible. Although not purely American authors being discussed the idea of modernizing classics is important.


recommended readings

1. Should American canon be discussed in the public library? The selection of classic American authors in one book reading clubs

David C. Kupfer Library Philosophy and Practice 2008

The article brings up the issue of if librarians should encourage the reading of classics, or the ‘proper’ books people should read, which many times are the books discussed in high school. Although the article does not address the YA issue, many of the ideas are transferable.

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/kupfer.htm


2. A new take on an old tale Classic literature in a graphic format

Michele Gorman, Library media connection april/may 2008 p 53

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=6&sid=2a001451-33d7-4b6a-bfb1-a4615f4d0620%40sessionmgr10

A continuing growing area of turning classic books into a graphic novel, a great way to get teens, especially males to become more familiar with these stories in a quick, visual format.



3. A Classic Argument

Younker J. Martin. School Library Journal. Aug 2007 vol 53 is 8

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=6&sid=e990a7d0-7ac2-4595-9ba0-634753139dc1%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=tfh&AN=26207808

Looking at the question of whether teens should be reading the classics or if the newer popular novels suffice


4. Transnationalism and Classic American Literature Paul Giles

PMLA, Vol. 118, No. 1, Special Topic: America: The Idea, the Literature (Jan., 2003), pp. 62-77 (via jstor)

This article looks more at how the history and culture of the US has shaped literature, helping to show why this ‘genre’ developed,


5. American Character and the American Novel an expansion of the reflection sociologly theory in literature

The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 86, No. 4 (Jan., 1981), pp. 740-765

Published by: The University of Chicago Press (via jstor)

A longer article, but covers a lot of what the classic American book relates to, although not predominantly YA lit, many of the books discussed are common to read in high school.

Class Novel 1 ‘Outsiders’ but sharing a common connection

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Based around a 14 year old boy (Ponyboy) who lives with his older brothers in the poor area in a small town . It is made clear early on the Ponybot is very intelligent, with a chance to continue his education and leave the town. They are all a part of a gang, known as greasers. The main antagonists in the story are the Socs, or the rich kids in town, fights are a regular occurrence. After one fight, a Soc ends up dead, and Ponyboy and a friend flee the town to avoid arrest. At the end of that week, the church that they had been staying in catches on fire, they had not been present when it started, they found out that some young children were inside, and rush in to save them. Ponyboy escapes with a few burns, while his close friend is seriously injured, dyeing in the hospital after hearing that the greasers had won the last big fight with the Socs. During all of this Ponyboy begins to talk to a few of the Socs, finding out that they are like him in many ways, just wanting to get away from the town and hating the animosity between the groups. Ponyboy is hit hard by the events of the last weeks, however the book ends on a higher note of hope of his brothers helping him deal and becoming closer. The end of the book ends with Ponyboy beginning to write about the events for a paper for his English class.

This book would appeal to young adults as it deals primarily with teens, there are few adults present in the book, and only play secondary rolls or are only mentioned. The novel shows that teens can live and operate by themselves, with no need for authority, a common meal includes chocolate milk and cake. The language when the boys talk to each other is very simple and full of slang, with being ‘tuff’ and ‘tough’ being words of praise. Another connection that some teens may find is the close connection between brothers and friends, their understanding of each other far surpassing what any adult or parent could ever understand.

In the notes section of the book, it was surprising to find out that the author was female, and she had began writing the book as a teen, as the subject material of the books as well as the language gives the allusion that the author is make and experienced some of the events, which is true to a degree, as the author witnessed a boy being beaten up by a rival gang while walking home one day. It is easy to see why this book fits into the YA firsts category as well as it creating into a movie later on.

YA geared professional journals

Title: Young Adult Library Services online 2004-2009 (available through UWO portal)

This journal, published quarterly, provides young adult librarians, or librarians in general with some of the latest news in the area, looking at both librarian oriented news, such as YALSA, and book news such as issues with censorship and the freedom that now occurs, dealing with YA reference questions which may differ from the questions asked from adults or young children, as well as looking at some of the latest movies out for YA’s, other cultural news, magna and graphic novels as well as social issues such as bullying.

The journal tries to cover all needs of librarians, giving them the knowledge in the profession that they need, as well as YA culture news as this is very important to librarians dealing with the age group. It is important for them to stay on top of new immerging trends in books, movies, games and the internet. Although it is not an issue that la librarian would like to see, having articles about bullying are useful for librarians to possibly notice the signs, and in some cases may be able to steer teens towards materials or people that can help them.

With the wide rage of material that this journal covers, it would be very useful for public librarians as well as school librarians to subscribe to, as well as being useful to librarian students interested in YA materials. The wide range of the journal displays how wide ranging the materials in the area are.

YA materials in a bookstore

For the course materials I voyaged to a chapters in the city, offering me the perfect opportunity to look at an area of the bookstore that I usually avoid at home. In this chapters, the teen section was at the back of the store, consisting of two back to back shelves off of the main isle. Further into the store was the children’s section, as I find it usual to have it near by, be it for families not wanting to spread out to much or just a general consensuses that as the age groups are close so should be the books. Although I have never been in this particular chapters, I found the area easily even though the signage in the store was lacking.

The are its self was quiet small, and as expected there was a decent sized twilight merchandize set up displayed, as well as a table of the books in front of the area. As well, there was another vampire series displayed on the shelving to try and sway teens in the twilight fandom in. There were no other shoppers in the area while I was searching for the books, not surprising as there seemed to be few/no teens in the store, most people were in their 20’s or older as well as a few younger children.

As mentioned, I usually avoid the teen area in other bookstores, and it was ever I place I really looked to books as a teen. Many of the books I wanted were given to me, either from a list I had come up with by looking online, or by family browsing and choosing. As well, I tended to read above my age group so many of the books offered in the area did not appeal to me.

I also realized that the teen and humour and sports sections were close together, something very similar to the chapters/indigo I frequent at home, giving options to the age group about the genre of fiction they are looking at. It could very well be a way for teens to be looking at novels but easily turn around and look at comics if friends came around. In thinking about the indigo around home, I can think of many changes ever time, including a large security standing/walking around in the evening possibly to deter loitering, as there was a movie theatre across the hall (as the indigo was in a mall) and the indigo was a popular place to meet and hang out before the movie. This security guard disappeared once the invasion of teens had left for their movies, leaving the rest of the shoppers to browse in peace as the teens tended to be quite loud.

Overall my visit was a success as I found the materials, and the strong presence of retail merchandise was something very noticeable, but if it draws teens or young adults into the section then it is worth it.