Adolescent Literature with G. Robert Carlsen
At the University of Iowa, Fall 1978
Reflections by Karen Shostrom Lehmann,
May 2007
What is Adolescent Literature?
Written to appeal to young adults, ages 10-20. Implied audience is teenagers. Subjects attempt to offer insight on concerns and interests of that age group.
Differentiation from Other Lit?
Deals with relevant developmental tasks
Directed toward a specific age level
Adjusts content, protagonists and appeal to a particular sex (prior to grade 8)
What about Sub Literature?
Formula: written with a code No involvement by writer No essential message or ―purpose‖ Unrealistic underlying assumptions
Why is Sub Literature Appealing?
Sense of adventure (action-packed)
– Nancy Drew; Babysitters Club; Lemony Snicket ?
Sense of fantasy (wish-fulfilling)
– Goosebumps; Fear Street
Gives false sense of sophistication (appearance of maturity; vocabulary)
– Sweet Dreams series; Harlequin romance
Watch for books that are fomulaic without a message!!! Literature should attempt to transmit signifcant moments of insight.
What Do We Owe to Sub Lit?
A 1st step toward appreciation of story Internalizes reading skills Develops storytelling patterns ―Ladder‖ metaphor: each step is a move to higher-level reading content.
Influences on Reading Interests
Sex of the reader
– Boys are more rigid in what to choose
Age affects interest
– Early adolescents = year interest span
Teens read for content (not writer, style or critics)
Early – 5th to 8th Grades
Ages 10-14 Popular topics include:
– Animals – Adventure/Mystery – Sports (biography and fiction) – ―Olden times‖ – Home & Family – Supernatural – Patriotic – Science Fiction/Fantasy
Middle – Grades 9 and 10
Ages 14-16 Read 50% adult; 50% teen books Popular topics include:
– – – – – – – Historical novels Romance Mystery or ―gothic‖ (romance + mystery) Nonfiction adventure War or Disaster Teen Life Adventure
Middle Topics Defined
Adventure
– – – – Vicarious appeal Escapist Conflict (individuals/nature/society) Action
Peeps; The Odyssey;
Mystery
– – – –
Problem to be solved Gives clues Intrigue Setting
Turn of the Screw; Mary Higgins Clark books; The Da Vinci Code
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Evaluate merit by:
– The degree and quality of IMAGINATION
Setting Fresh viewpoint Image of the world projected
– How the book speculates about the POSSIBILITIES of HUMAN LIFE
Older – Ages 16 to 20
Topics of interest include:
– Struggles with personal values
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Go Ask Alice
– Social values (right/wrong, exposés)
The Jungle, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Chocolate War
– The bizarre (offbeat, capabilities of people, psychotic fringe, prison, mental illness)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Helter Skelter
– Transition (from childhood to adult life)
Life at These Speeds; Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia
Patterns
Search for Identity
– Summer of My German Soldier
Rights of Passage
– Member of the Wedding
Separation
– Holes
Transition
– A Separate Peace; The Giver
Incorporation
– Catcher in the Rye (NOT)
Sheer Adventure (younger) Social Commentary (older)
– Fahrenheit 451
Developmental Tasks for Teens
Human Relationships
Independence from PARENTS Changing relations with PEERS Significant adult ROLE MODEL
Self
Terms with PHYSICAL BODY Terms with SEXUALITY Achieve STATUS (excel at something) Integration of VALUES
Vocational
Work experience Choices / Directions
“Best Book” Lists
Newbery Award
– Outstanding contribution to lit for YAs – Usually at 6th-7th grade level
Michael Printz Award
– Literary excellence in YA literature – Published for YAs (ages 12-18)
Best Books for Young Adults
– Significant adult and YA books – Proven appeal to YA (ages 12-18) reading tastes – YALSA sponsored (part of American Library Assoc.)
Book for Young Adults
Popularity poll of books teens like, begun by G. Robert Carlsen at the University of Iowa Polled reading interests of ages 16-19 Selected from newly published books
Program assistants read every book prior to giving to students Polled 3 Iowa City high schools in reading classes Card filled out for each book read Tabulated results; choose 25-35 ―best‖ Published results in Jan. issue of English Journal Added to Books and the Teenage Reader editions
– Found from Booklist, Horn Book, NY Times Book Review
Implications for Teachers
Need to know reading interests Need to construct curriculum accordingly Don’t teach ―college‖ books to HS students (except in AP classes) Mix common readings with small group or individual reading Provide choices—lists, examples, etc.