The Reader Speaks Out: Adolescent Reflections about Controversial Young Adult Literature

The YA novel has evolved so much in the last three decades that topics ranging from drug addiction to sexual orientation can be found in any contemporary adolescent novel (Cart, 2001; Glasgow, 2001; Mikulecky, 1998; Salvner, 1998; St. Clair, 1995). [...]too often teachers choose not to use certain books for fear that these texts will create controversies leading to confrontations with parents, the members of the wider community, or school administrators" (Freedman & Johnson, 2000/2001, p. 357). Description of the students, texts, and data collection Even with evidence of the success of student-centered pedagogy and teacher research, (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1993; Kutz & Roskelly, 1991) the notable absence of adolescent voices in deciding YA reading material seems alarming. Because adolescents are the ones most affected by exposure to these texts, it is helpful to understand their definitions of controversy, the topics they consider inappropriate for the school setting, how much exposure they feel is too much, and their appreciation of literature in general. With that perspective and actual adolescent viewpoints, we can approach students' encounters with YA literature as a truly valuable interaction. Since adult opinions can prevent students from reading worthwhile texts, studying what students themselves say about reading controversial YA literature in the classrooms presents an opportunity to better assess the significance of teaching it. 1 All student names have been changed.

Loại tài liệu:

Article - Bài báo

Tác giả:

Enriquez, Grace

Đề mục:

Young adult literature

Nhà xuất bản:

Assembly on Literature for Adolescents -- National Council of Teachers of English

Ngày xuất bản:

Summer 2006

Số trang/ tờ:

Định dạng:

pdf

Nguồn gốc:

ALAN Review; Youngstown, Volume 33, Issue 2, Summer 2006, Pages 16-23

Liên kết:

ISSN 0882-2840

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The Reader Speaks Out: Adolescent Reflections about Controversial Young Adult Literature

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