- It is fun!
- Aids the acquisition of language and language development
- Develops empathy
- Supports life long readers through: unconscious delight, reading autobiographically(mirror), reading for vicarious experiences(looking through a window), reading for philosophical speculation, and reading for aesthetic experiences.
- Literature develops the imagination
- Can transmit culture
Sharing literature with children is fun simply because if you enjoy it then you will pass on your enthusiasm to them and it may make them curious. If you enjoy it chances are they will to.
The more children get the opportunity to read, the more time they get to spend in the language listening, reading and speaking. At my school we have many English language learners and allowing them the time to read silently, aloud, on their own or in groups really helps them learn the language.
Children have the opportunity to read about various subjects and it does allow them to see how actions have consequences and also how different people react to different actions. By spending time in the story, they can delve into the feelings of the characters and develop an understanding for the emotions being explained in the story.
Children get excited about the stories, the characters, the plot, they are drawn in. They may develop a love for a particular genre, or author and want to get their hands on more books like the one they are excited about. Children love to read books about characters that they can relate to, ones that have similar backgrounds, experiences or families like them. There is a need for diversity in books, if the reader can see themselves in the book, it makes it appealing. The reader also has the opportunity to live vicariously through the characters of a book. They can see what it would be like if.... For example if they are an only child they could read a book about a child who has many brothers and sisters and see what it is like to be in a family like that. Children can also start to really think about the big questions of life like who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Books can spark deep thinking into the meaning of life. The reader can also begin to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life through literature.
Just by reading, the mind starts to create mental images of what you are reading therefore sparking the imagination.
Lastly, children can learn a lot from literature about other cultures. They can do a lot of traveling just by reading a book.
Chapter 2- Divisions of Young People's Literature
There are four divisions: Children's Literature (0-8 years old), Middle Grade/Tween (8-12 years old), Young Adult (13-18 years old), and New Adult (18-30 years old).
Children's Literature (0-8 years old)
This division includes illustrated chapter books, picture books, easy readers and early chapter books. Some examples of these books include series like Dr. Seuss and Little Golden Books as well as the book Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.
Middle Grade/Tween (8-12 years old)
Readers of this age get interested in graphic novels. Librarians must be careful in choosing books for this division. There is a big difference between an 8 year old who is a second or 3rd grader and a 12 year old who is a 6th or 7th grader. There must be careful scrutiny of the subject matter of the books to make sure that they are not too advanced or mature for these readers.
Young Adult (13-18 years old)
These books have to do with growing up and coming of age. Some book titles suggested include: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith and Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
New Adult (18-30 years old)
This division includes subject matter about living away from home for the first time, college, no supervision from parents, first major romantic relationships and recent high school graduate adventures.Some books titles suggested include: Sweet Home by Tillie Cole, This is Falling by Ginger Scott and November 9 by Colleen Hoover.
Chapter 3- Anatomy of a Book
This chapter explains how a book is physically put together.
Here are some terms that are commonly used in the book world.
Endpapers: two sheets at the beginning and end; often have patterns or colors that enhance the design of the book
Casewrap; located underneath the jacket of a hard cover book. Modern visual books use laminated paper as a case wrap.
BookBlock: Main text of body of the book
Gutter: blankspace or inner margin that separate printing area from the binding
Headband: small decorative strip of textile used at the top and bottom of a case bound book to decoratively fill the gap between the spine and cover.
Backbone: also known as the spine.
Mock-up: "an early or fake" version of a book or format
Chapter 5-What is Young Adult Literature?
Young adult literature involves a youthful protagonist. The story presents an adolescent interpretation of events that show direct confrontation and exposition. In most young adult literature there is a significant change in the life of the main character. The main character shows gradual and incremental change as well as incomplete growth. The protagonist is very independent. The story mirrors concerns over contemporary issues. It shows the main character dealing with the consequences of decisions and actions made. The structure of the story could consist of short time periods, limited setting and few fully developed characters. Young adult literature also draws upon a sense of how adolescents develop.
New Adult (18-30 years old)
This division includes subject matter about living away from home for the first time, college, no supervision from parents, first major romantic relationships and recent high school graduate adventures.Some books titles suggested include: Sweet Home by Tillie Cole, This is Falling by Ginger Scott and November 9 by Colleen Hoover.
Chapter 3- Anatomy of a Book
This chapter explains how a book is physically put together.
Here are some terms that are commonly used in the book world.
Endpapers: two sheets at the beginning and end; often have patterns or colors that enhance the design of the book
Casewrap; located underneath the jacket of a hard cover book. Modern visual books use laminated paper as a case wrap.
BookBlock: Main text of body of the book
Gutter: blankspace or inner margin that separate printing area from the binding
Headband: small decorative strip of textile used at the top and bottom of a case bound book to decoratively fill the gap between the spine and cover.
Backbone: also known as the spine.
Mock-up: "an early or fake" version of a book or format
- used to represent titles for upcoming seasons
- partially printed (not finished)
- good visual idea of the finished product
Format: something that invites the recipient to interact with the product such as guided journals, games, pencils, paper, dolls and temporary tattoos.
Proof: press sheets printed before the book is bound to check for consistency and accuracy of images and color.
Saddle Stich: binding method used to fasten booklets by stitching through the middle fold of sheets.
F&G(fold and gather): an unbound body usually created for illustrated children's books
Chapter 4- Genres and Formats
There are two genres: fiction and non fiction
There are two types of fiction: realism and fantasy. Both types are broken down further.
Realsim has two types, realistic: modern contemporary and historical. Fantasy has two types modern and traditional. Modern can be broken down further:
In hard science fiction, science is the main part of the story. In soft science fiction character is a big part of the story. In high fantasy, worlds and languages are created. The setting is unrecognizable when compared to real life. Examples of high fantasy include Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. In low fantasy there are still elements that are not possible like talking animals, but the story is more believable, it takes place in a world we recognize.
Traditional Fantasy includes: fairy tales, folk tales, ballads, fables, legends and myths.
Nonfiction is informational and is broken down into biography, narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction.
An autobiography spans the person's life. A memoir is a particular portion of the life of a person. Narrative nonfiction is told like a story. The example given was The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin. Expository nonfiction gives facts about the subject. An example would be Tornadoes by Seymour Simon.
Books can be broken down further into other categories such as the following:
These are not genres but subjects or categories otherwise known as sub genres.
Formats include poetry, drama, novels, chapter books, short stories, picture books and graphic novels. It is important for young readers to understand the difference between genres and categories so that they can find the books that they are looking for especially if the library has been genrefied. Genrefying a library is something that not everyone agrees on. The biggest problem I see with it is a patron of the library may find it difficult to obtain the book they are looking for if it fits in more than one category. Sticking to the traditional organization of genres may be easier.
Chapter 5-What is Young Adult Literature?
Young adult literature involves a youthful protagonist. The story presents an adolescent interpretation of events that show direct confrontation and exposition. In most young adult literature there is a significant change in the life of the main character. The main character shows gradual and incremental change as well as incomplete growth. The protagonist is very independent. The story mirrors concerns over contemporary issues. It shows the main character dealing with the consequences of decisions and actions made. The structure of the story could consist of short time periods, limited setting and few fully developed characters. Young adult literature also draws upon a sense of how adolescents develop.
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