A very brief addendum
A lot of the literary YA novels seem to have a strong thread of reconciling oneself to things, resigning oneself to things, because they can't be changed.
I don't know what it's like to feel the weight of poverty and a culture that creates very limited options for you, but I do know that when I was 13, 14, 15, I was the opposite of resigned, less resigned to anything than I would ever be again. That was when I clutched to my chest song lyrics like "It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap, we gotta get out while we're young--'cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run," or "If you're giving in, then you're giving up, 'cause in your sad machines you'll forever stay," or "I can feel the thunder underneath my feet--I sold my soul for freedom, it's lonely but it's sweet."
And that's why I read a boatload of flying telepathic dragon books, and not "good" YA literature.
...I think that Feinberg's right. Lots of these books are good as literature, but I don't think they understand teenagers very well. There are, truly, situations that one's not very likely to escape from, that are likely to hold onto you until you're dead. But if you're too young or stupid to realize that, thank God, and what's so good about disabusing oneself of that notion?
(That's one of the reasons that I like Speak so much, despite its status as a 'problem book'--it seems to shine a way out, not too simplistically, but honestly).
3 comments:
I was reading an article yesterday on children's literature. ursula leguin (if you haven't read her already) has some very good comments about fantasy literature and children's literature in her interviews.
Interesting point, Emily. You're right that it does seem an odd age to "resign" oneself to life's troubles.
as a retired teacher of English 7-12, I think yal is better than ever.
I recently published a 2nd ed. of how to use yal as bridge to the classics (FROM HINTON TO HAMLET) with my colleague Donald R. Gallo, who edits yal short story anthologies to appeal to any kind of reader.
There are a amazing number of generes to grab any reader--and authors such as Chris Crutcher, Will Hobbs, Ellen Wittlinger, Gail Giles, Alex Flinn, Ron Koertge, Kathe Koja, E.R. Frank, Janet Tashjian, to name a few.
We all need to convince high school teachers that yal is the most viable way to help high school kids learn to love to read. Chris Lynch's recent novel INEXCUSABLE should be required reading for every high school English/Reading teacher and Ellen Wittlinger's SANDPIPER.
Watch for Patricia McCormick's upcoming SOLD about young girls sold into sexual slavery.
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