Sharing literature with children
As a future librarian, its important to share literature with students. One of the reasons to read is to have fun. As you read, you can act out a part or change your voice. As a result, I hope to create and support lifelong readers. But most importantly, help develop readers' imagination as they listen to a book being read. Some reasons to share are:
- it can transmit culture
- develops empathy
- aids in acquisition of language and language development (Its extremely important for parents to begin reading to their children in those first years of development.)
To me, this was extremely valuable information. "Don't confuse middle grade for middle school." This statement has cleared a misunderstanding I had. Middle grade is not middle school, nor is the reading material. Students in middle school have a hard time finding books. They are in between stages: some books are too easy for them to read; while, YA books have inappropriate topics. The division of literature are as follows:
- children (0-8 years)
- middle grade is 8-12 years with tweens 11-13 years
- young adult 13-18 years
- new adult 18-30 years (This division was created in 2009 due to a publisher's contest.)
Did you know that poetry is not a genre? Me, either. There are two main genres: fiction and nonfiction. Everything else is considered sub genre or a format. Fiction can be classified as fantasy or realism sub genre. Futhermore, modern fantasy and traditional fantasy are sub genres. Additional sub genres for traditional fantasy are: fairy tale, folktale, ballad, fable, legend, and myth. Modern fantasy books can be classified as hard/soft science or high/low fantasy. On the other hand, sub genres for realism are modern contemporary and historical. Just remember, if a book can not be classified into a genre or sub genre, then is a format. My understanding of format is how the book is reading. It can be written in poetry, graphic novel, picture book, short stories, drama, novel or chapter books. The story itself is classified as a genre. The way the author wants to present his story that makes it a format.
Nonfiction are informational books. There are 3 types of informational: expository nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, and bio/autobiography and memoirs. The difference between memoir and autobiography deals with time. A bio/autobiography is written to tell a person's life from beginning to end. However, a memoir is written to tell only a specific time or event. Narrative nonfiction is written as a story with nonfiction elements. Expository nonfiction is written with information only.
What is YA literature?
Young adult books are written with more contemporary topics in which an individual deals with social issues. Books will have a young adult as the protagonist and is written in the point of view of what happened. These books deals with themes that are crucial and important to adolescents.
Adolescents develop
There are five developmental stages adolescents will go thorough. One of the most important stage is the physical stage. In this stage, the individual questions normalcy. They will begin to have doubts about their physical appearance and compare themselves to others. There's the moral stage, in which they will act based their actions on morals/values. The intellectual stage is important in regards to their learning. We need to keep in mind, adolescents don't learn at the same time. With this in mind, its important to teach concrete concepts before abstract.
Literary elements/devices
Literary elements are known as the story elements. These elements are found in narrative stories: protagonist/antogonist (characters), setting, conflict, plot, mood/tone, and theme. Keep in mind, theme is an important element to readers. The theme is the author's message. What does the author want you to understand? The theme can be applied to the outside world, not only to the book. The theme is never the main idea or topic.
Literary devices are the tools the authors use to write the story. The story may be told in first or third person point of view. The author may use figurative language such as metaphor, simile, allegory, or hyperbole. Imagery is another element the author may use to help the reader visualize or create a picture in their mind. Other literary devices used:
- allegory
- allusion
- archetype
- deus ex machine (to solve an intractable problem by adding an unexpected character)
- motif
- symbolism
Awards
There are many awards that are given annually to authors or illustrators that meet the awards criteria. There are three awards given here in Texas and sponsored by Texas Library Association.
- Lone Star Reading list was developed by public and school librarians; in which, a recommended reading list aimed at students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
- TAYSHAS reading list was developed to motivate young adults (grades 9-12) to become lifelong readers.
- Maverick list began in 2009 and is aimed at students in grades 6-12 to encourage reading a variety of current books in a graphic novel format.
- A prestigious awards given annually is the Printz Award. This award is given to an author that exemplifies excellence in young adult literature.
- Nonfiction Award honors the best nonfiction book published annually for young adults (12-18 years).
- Great Graphic Novels for Teens is an annually list of recommended graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction aimed for 12-18 years.
- Margaret Edwards Award established in 1988 recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addresses questions regarding their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world.
- Alex Award is given to 10 books written for young adults that have special appeal to 12-18 years old. It was first awarded in 1988.
- Odyssey Award is given annually to the producer of the best audiobooks produced for children and young adult.
- Edgar Award is awarded each spring to an author in that genre. Its given by the Mystery Writers of America.
- Pura Belpre Award given to Latina/Latino writer and illustrator whose work portrays and affirms the latino cultural for children.
- Scott O'Deal Award given annually to a historical fiction book published the previous year for children and young adults.
- NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award is given annually and honors a living american poet.
- Stonewall Book Award was fist awarded in 1971 to an author who's book related to a LGBT experience.
First of all, remember poetry is a format, not a genre. Based on a research study by Anne Terry in 1974 with poems being given to kids. Five conclusions were given:
- kids prefer narrative poems (dislike free verse and haiku)
- kids liked poems with poetry devices/sounds (rhyme, alliteration, assonance)
- could relate to poems (familiar experiences)
- kids preferred contemporary poems (language was simpler and understood)
- kids can interactive using Reader's theatre
Historical fiction
Books are considered historical fiction is the story setting is set in the past. This type of book allows the reader to experience what is was to live in the past. As you read historical fiction, keep in mind a few things.
- Do the story and the setting blend together?
- Are the facts accurate for that time period?
- How are the values in that time period different from contemporary values?
- Is the author consistent in their description of the everyday life?
- Can contemporary readers relate to the book's theme?
Also known as contemporary realistic fiction or modern realistic fiction. These books are set in contemporary or modern times and are real (consistent with the real world). They are believable because the character, setting, and events can occur and the reader can relate to them. Keep in mind, the criteria for realistic fiction:
- Can students relate to everything in the book? Consistency is an important factor.
- Are the themes found naturally within the book?
- Are today's students able to relate to the topic or subject matter?
Nonfiction
Nonfiction books give students information about a topic. The two types of informational books are narrative and expository nonfiction. Narrative nonfiction is a story written using facts about the topic. The expository nonfictions is strictly information about the topic. Follow the criteria when evaluating nonfiction:
- What are the author's qualifications?
- Are the facts accurate?
- What is the author's purpose for writing the book?
- How does the organization help the reader locate information?
- Do the visuals play a role in the book?
Fantasy/science fiction
Fantasy is a genre listed under fiction. Fantasy is any book written with fantasy elements. This means any story that deals with something that naturally can not happen in the real world. For example, talking animals. Science fiction is a sub genre listed under fantasy. There are two additional categories for science fiction: hard and soft science. Hard science fiction is a book where the main part of the story deals with science or technology. Soft science fiction is a book where the character becomes the main part and the science or technology became secondary to the story.
Graphic novels
Graphic novels are not a genre. They are a format. Remember earlier, I stated formats are how the author presents the story format. Any genre can be used to tell the actually story. the author may use graphic novels to show the story.
Peck's questions
This are great questions to use when reading a novel. Students will be able to analyze the story; which allows the reader to better comprehend the story. This is a great resource for any English teacher.
