Chapter 10: Historical Fiction Summary : Historical fiction is considered to be any story that is set in the past. The tricky part of historical fiction is the age of the student depends on what they deem to be considered history. Young children might think history is what they ate for breakfast in the morning. Older students think history to be something that took place when they were younger. Adults tend to think of history as something that happened before they were born. This is why it's important for librarians to think about what they put in the historical fiction section of their library, simply because history means something different for everyone. Certain criteria have been laid out in order for us to properly evaluate historical fiction for children. They are as follows: - Does the book tell a good story that effortlessly blends the history into the story itself? - Are the facts of the historical period accurate? It's important to rely on accurate and...

Chapter 9: Poetry Summary : Poetry is NOT a genre, rather a format of literature. It can be found in fantasy, historical fiction, realistic fiction, or traditional literature. It's important to share poetry with children and Jean Le Pere gave us six valid reasons on why it's important: 1. Enjoyment 2. Provides knowledge of concepts 3. Increases vocabulary 4. Helps children identify with people and situations 5. Helps children understand their feelings 6. Grants insights to their feelings and universal emotions There are 5 criteria for evaluating poetry for children: 1. Is it within reach of the child's understanding 2. Does the poem use imagery? (sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures) 3. Does the poem rhyme? It's important for beginner poetry to rhyme so they can then scaffold later on and appreciate blank verse and other forms that don't rhyme. 4. How is rhythm used? (natural vs. forced rhythms) Does the rhythm fit the subject of th...

Chapter 8: Awards and Lists Summary : Chapter 8 of the Young Adult Literature textbook consisted of multiple hyperlinks to numerous book lists and award lists for young adults ages 12-18.  All of the lists are important but there were some on the list that should be recognized for their insightful choices of literature to share with the world.  How the book lists and awards are earned have been chosen through a large spectrum of specifications. You can find the fiction and nonfiction award books and lists, as well as awards for graphic novels, teen choices, audiobooks, lists chosen by librarians, or for college bound students.  You’ll also find lists for different cultures, books that portray different abilities/disabilities of people, and awards that support the LGBT community.   Reflection/Response : After completing the Literature for Children’s course and reviewing the awards and lists chapter for the Young Adult Literature course, I am blown away...

Chapter 7: Literary Elements Summary : Literary elements and literary devices are often placed in the same category and can easily be confused with one another.  It is important to be knowledgeable in distinguishing the two from each other. Literary elements are used by the reader to analyze and understand a work of literature.  The components are not techniques used by the writer but are identified and taken out by the reader. Theme, conflict, setting, and plot are some of the many literary elements that can be found in literature.  Literary devices are deliberately used by the writer and is used for expression and bringing words to life. The construction of the text is the main focus to bring about artistic meaning to the work of literature.  Symbolism, hyperbole, metaphor, and Deus ex Machina are a few of the many literary devices in writing. Theme is an important factor to take into consideration when analyzing literature.  There are certain ques...

Chapter 6: How Do Adolescents develop? Summary : Physical and intellectual aspects tremendously change during the developmental years of adolescents.  The physical change of an adolescent leaves them wonder if they are normal, so it’s important to provide books that assure them through puberty.  The intellectual change goes from concrete thinking to abstract thinking around the age of 10. Concrete thinking to formal thinking makes the change around the age of 14.  So especially in the middle grade books, you need to make sure you are supplying the right kind of books for the type of “thinkers” you have. Is the book abstract? Is it concrete? The developmental stages according to Havighurst are as follows: Learning to get along with peers. Easy relationship with opposite sex. Working for pay.  Changing relationships with parents. Finding a vocation. Developing morals and values. Adapting to physical bodies. Defining appropriate sex roles. Moral: Kohl...

Chapter 5: What is YA Literature? Summary : There are many components in a book for it to be considered Young Adult Literature.  Some are characterized below: Youthful and highly independent protagonist Significant change, incremental change, and incomplete growth all within the main character The main character will reap the consequences of any decisions Limited setting over a brief time period with very few fully developed characters The point of view is front an adolescents interpretation of events and how things develop Young Adult literature mirrors concerns over contemporary issues Reflection/Response : I just finished reading The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, and it is by far one of the best reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.  Even though it was published in 2008, I just now had to opportunity to read the book for an assignment.  From reviewing Chapter 5 of the textbook and learning about the 10 items to be consi...

Chapter 4: Genres and Formats Summary : There are only two types of genres; Fiction and Nonfiction. Everything else is considered and subgenre both of which to not get confused with categories and formats. Fiction Realism Realistic Modern Contemporary Historical Fantasy Modern Hard/Soft Science Fiction and High/Low Fantasy Traditional Folktale, Ballad, Fable, Legend, Myth, Fairy Tale Nonfiction (Informational) Biography Autobiography: written about the span of a person's life Memoir: written about a portion of a person’s life Narrative Nonfiction: written in story form ( Notorious Benedict Arnold ) Expository Nonfiction: books with facts Categories and Subjects (NOT GENRES) Chick Lit, Mystery, Guy Reads, Horror, Sports Fiction, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, War, Classics, Humor, Dystopia Formats Poetry, Drama, Novels, Chapter Books, Short Stories, Picture Books, Graphic Novels Refl...

Chapter 3: The Anatomy of a Book Summary : Endpapers enhance the design of the book and can come with patterns or solid colors.  The casewrap is important for modern books in order to print images and colors. Other important pieces to a book are the block, headband, spine, and the type of stitching it has to fasten booklets by stitching through folded sheets. Reflection/Response : There are many parts to a book, and the parts come in different qualities for each book produced.  It’s up to the librarian to decide if a book is of good quality and not just for its content, but how well it is produced.  Books must be built strong in order to keep up with the demand of circulating in and out of the library.

Chapter 2: Divisions of Young People’s Literature Summary : Chapter 2 covers how books are divided by age ranges in order to keep levels of appropriateness within the ages provided.  For example, you don’t want an 8 year old reading something a 16 year old would, but it might be okay for a 12 year old. The first division is for ages 0-8 which covers wordless picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, regular chapter books, and illustrated chapter books.  Middle grade books are for ages 8-12 year olds. You must not get confused with middle grade books and middle school books. They are not the same. Middle school books are not a category of literature. Middle school is ages 11-13. If you weld the two (middle school and middle grade), you could potentially be getting an 8 year old reading a book that’s age appropriate for a 13 year old or higher.  Dr. Perry gave an example of the book Lily and Dunkin that deals with transgender teens and is considered a mi...

Chapter 1: Why Do We Share Literature With Children? Summary : Dr. Lesesne and Dr. Perry explained 10 reasons why it’s important to share literature with children.  First, because it’s fun and gives the reader an unconscious delight in reading. Literature also aids in language development and the acquisition of language. Developing empathetic bonds from books and reading fiction helps develop empathy in children. Books also allow children to read about a situation and learn about it without having to experience it for themselves in real life.  Another reason we share literature is to support lifelong learners, whether it’s through series reading or serial reading, children can find their niche in how they go about finding books they prefer to read. Sharing literature can also support a child by reading a book through an autobiographical lens.  They can see themselves in a book and are more likely to go back for another book they can relate to. If not autobiographi...