Chapter 2: Divisions of Young People's Literature

Children's Literature 

0-8 year olds

wordless picture books

picture books

easy readers

illustrated chapter books

early chapter books

Examples:

We're in the Wrong Book

Ballet Cat

Fankecrayon

Ramona Quimby

The Year of Billy Miller

The Princess in Black

Charlotte's Web

Because of Winn Dixie

Middle Grade/Tween

8-12 year olds (NOT to be confused with "Middle School")

Examples:

Roller Gril

Raymie Nightingale

The Thing About Jellyfish

George

What About Middle School?

-often confused with middle grades

-these are 11-13 year olds (6th, 7th, and 8th grade)

-this group of kids is tough because it's a wide range of development- what is appropriate for a 8th grader, might not be for a 6th grader

-need to be mindful of finding books that this age range can relate to and books they need without getting too into YA

Examples:

Drama

Lily and Dunkin

Okay for Now

Young Adults

13-18 year olds

**have to be careful because what is appropriate for an 18 year old, isn't necessarily appropriate for a 13 year old.  

Examples:

Pushing the Limits

Firsts

Grasshopper Jungle

Nimona 

New Adult

18-30 year olds

-This division came about in 2009 

-majority of YA books that are purchased are purchased by adults

-these books typically deal with recent High School graduates- living on their own for the first time, first major relationships, first major sexual relationships, etc...

-deal with issues without parents

Examples:

Sweet Home

This is Falling

November 9

There are many divisions of young adult literature.  My biggest take-away is to be aware of what stage your readers are in and be sensitive to ages/developmental readiness of certain titles because the young adult spectrum ranges in ages that are vastly different from each other when it comes to content that can be taken in maturely and wisely.  

Chapter 1: Why Do We Share Literature with Children?

There are several reasons we share literature with kids. "If we aren't sharing our heart of reading with kids, then what are we doing?"

It's fun and we want to share things that we enjoy so that others can enjoy them too.  Reading aids in language acquisition and development.  Reading just 20 minutes a day boosts vocabulary.  Vocabulary makes huge leaps before age 5, so reading early is IMPORTANT!  Reading also increases vocabulary in a natural way, so there's no need to drill and kill.  Reading also develops empathy.  Empathy is stronger than sympathy- reading helps us create bonds.  Reading can help to create empathy for experiences we haven't had ourselves, but that we read about with characters in books.  Sharing literature with children supports life-long readers.  "Unconscious delight" series reading and serial reading are ways you can help grow readers and help point them in what to read next, if they are stuck or wondering around the library.  Reading autobiographically (mirror) is reading about people like us, which is important because we need to find books that show kids themselves.  Sharing literature can show kids they can read for vicarious experiences (window).  Kids can experience things without having to actually do them (like consequences).  They can also experience other cultures or interests.  Sharing literature helps kids read for philosophical speculation.  They can read to try to form opinions on things that are big in their lives (ethics, religion...), get different points of view, could even answer questions about ourselves (Who am I?  Why am I this way?  What's my place?).  We share for aesthetic experiences- read for the pleasure of reading and read to make associations, relating, imagining, judging.  When we share literature, we help develop imagination because reading makes you ask "what would happen if."  Sharing literature also transmits culture- many cultures.  We want diverse books in our libraries, and not just during certain holidays and celebrations- year round!  All students need to feel included.

Reading can do a lot for someone- it can be enlightening, encouraging, educational, entertaining, and freeing.  Young adults are in such an awkward and strange stage of life- there are so many questions, so many feelings, and so many emotions.  Reading can lead to an escape for some young adults, or it could lead to them feeling understood because they read about characters that are similar to them.  I love the power that books have and I think because of all the reasons discussed in the slides, and just from my personal experience with reading, I can't wait to help get books in kids' hands so they can feel all these feels.