Adolescent Literature with G. Robert Carlsen

Adolescent Literature with G. Robert Carlsen : Adolescent Literature with G. Robert Carlsen At the University of Iowa, Fall 1978 Reflections by Karen Shostrom Lehmann, May 2007

What is Adolescent Literature? : 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? : 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? : 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? : 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? : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : “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 : 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 Found from Booklist, Horn Book, NY Times Book Review 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

Implications for Teachers : 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.