Ya Lit Today
Ya Lit Today
Ya Lit Today
Books for young adults are a haven and respite for adolescents
to read about what is real and self-evident in their lives (Kaplan,
pg. 21)
Queer Literature
Several LGBTQ books have won major literary awards since 2000
Since [1969], though, literature for gay and lesbian teens has
changed profoundly, providing a more rounded portrait of
teenagers caught in the throes of defining their sexual identity
(Kaplan, 24).
*Both of these novels have won the ALA Best Books for Young Adults Award
Multicultural Literature
Paranormal Romance
Graphic Novels
Why YA Literature?
Reading Appreciation
Many students do not gain a sense of
reading appreciation until late in high school
or afterwards.
The percentage of adult readers (18-34) has
decreased dramatically
-CENSORSHIP!
-Series Titles
- Strong ties to curricula
Technology!
Authors websites, teaching materials, award information, biographies,
video clips to make new connections to literature in the classroom
Dystopian Novels
A dystopia is a futuristic society in which a
system has been constructed to allay the ills
that pervade our present...On the surface this
system, through advanced technology and/or
other means, appears to benefit the populace,
but on closer examination citizens are worse
off (Hill 101).
The Book
This chapter is loaded with:
Novel summaries
Before/During/After reading activities and
assignments
Arguments for why these novels should be
taught to our students
POLL QUESTION
At what age did you read the most for fun?
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
College
Engaged reader
vs. disengaged reader
What is motivation?
Resources
Goodreads
(http://www.goodreads.com)
Goodreads is an online social media website designed to help you and your students record books
youve read or want to read as well as your personal reviews, share and suggest books to others, and
join online book discussion groups. Perfect for a class or school to set up (Kelley, Wilson, and Koss
93).
KAC
Hostile
Ignorant
Accepting
Open
Hostile Environment
Its best to start by exploring the power of
language and the idea of gender roles.
Books to use:
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (1974)
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher (1993)
The Year They Burned the Books by Nancy Garden (1999)
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson (2008)
Ignorant Environment
Its best to begin by broadly exploring the
notion of gender expression or sexuality.
First, create a safe environment.
Books to use:
Accepting Environment
Start by defining sexuality and exploring the
notion of fluid sexuality.
Books to use:
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden (1982)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
(2010)
The Misfits by James Howe (2001)
Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (2009)
Far From Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters (2005)
Open Environment
This school environment would be ready to
explore how sexuality does not rigidly define a
person, as well as bisexual and trangender
topics.
Books to use:
How Beautiful the Ordinary by Michael Cart (2009)
Luna by Julie Anne Peters (2004)
Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters (2009)
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez (2011)
The Benefits
Reading books with characters challenging common
adolescent issues allows for students to:
Start a dialogue and bring awareness to adolescent
issues
Understand others better
Understand themselves better
Support one another
Be more willing to act for change/justice
I Dont Want to be Crazy by Samantha Shutz: Anxiety and Panic Attacks (memoir)