YA Textbook Reflection Chapter 2

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 middle school book (11-13), but falls within the middle grade category, which might not be appropriate for an 8 year old to reader at that time. The next category of books is young adult books that is geared for ages 13-18. Some examples of YA books are Grasshopper Jungle, Nimona, Firsts, and Pushing the Limits.  In 2009 a new category came to the scene called New Adult that’s for ages 18-30.  St. Martin’s Press held a writing contest that was looking for cutting edge fiction with protagonists who were slightly older and could appeal to the adult audience.  Some examples are This is Falling by Ginger Scott and November 9 by Colleen Hoover.

Reflection/Response: I took away two important topics within the Division’s of Young People’s Literature chapter; Middle grade and middle school books are not the same, and the new adult category created that is considered the next step after the young adult category of books, which covers the ages of 18-30 year of age.