Characteristics of YA Lit
What is the typical length of a YA novel?
Tend to be shorter in length (Big Mac Theory of Books: don’t read it if it is too big to bite)
Who's point of view are most YA novels told from?
Told from a kid’s viewpoint
True or false:
Non-fiction YA novels have different characteristics to fictional YA novels.
True
How many levels did we use in class to categorize types of historical YA literature?
3
Who wrote Speak?
Laurie Halse Anderson
What is the role of parents in YA lit?
Generally feature the absence of adults (parents kill the plot)
What do YA novels typically reflect?
Reflects current issues and trends
Describe “how-done-it."
“how-done-it” – tells readers the ending first and then backs up to show how it was done (captures the attention of readers)
Example: Shipwreck
When is a YA novel considered historical?
“A novel is historical when it is wholly or partly about public events” – Chris Crowe
Historical is also when the book is set in history at least one generation before the contemporary audience (Crowe)
What is considered the first children's book?
Orbis Pictus by John Amos Comenius is considered the first children’s book (first published in1658, 1727 in English).
What might be considered taboo in a YA novel?
Have few, if any, boundaries or taboos (except for religion)
What element of story-telling do YA novels typically rely on?
Rely on plot movements; no long digressions or descriptive passages
Describe “leaping.”
“Leaping” – skip mundane parts to keep story going
Describe level 1 of historical YA novels.
Level 1: the “costume” novel – the clothes, objects, etc. are accurate but not the story (example: Carla Kelly)
What is one way that the Harry Potter series changed reading culture?
True or false:
YA novels deal with emotions and issues that are important to teens and provoke a visceral response.
True
True or False:
YA novels tend to feature protagonists who are generally 2 years younger than the target audience.
FALSE. YA novels tend to feature protagonists who are generally 2+ years OLDER than the target audience
Describe "crowding."
"Crowding" - smush details together
Describe level 2 of historical YA novels.
Level 2: history plays an essential role (background role) (example: Les Misérables – historical figures appear)
Define pastiche.
Putting together different elements of style from radically different contexts (example: Romeo and Juliet re-told in a modern version, Moulin Rouge - set in Paris 1899).
Fill in the blanks:
Richard Peck said: "YA novels ____ at a ______."
Richard Peck: “YA novels end at a beginning.”
True or false:
Characters in YA novels feature “acceptably exceptional” protagonists (good qualities but also very flawed and human).
True.
How do authors create dialog in a non-fiction YA novel?
Authors generally make up the dialogue.
Describe level 3 of historical YA novels.
Level 3: history is integral to the story, some main/minor characters are real people but still have made up conversations (example: Hamilton)
What is the role of postmodernism in young adult literature today?
Postmodernism is the time period post WWII when there was a pushback against traditional values. There was a disillusionment towards life; people questioned the meaning of life and war.
Meta – draw attention to oneself.
Heroes were flawed (not like the Captain America of the past), and there was a denial of order.
Postmodernism is partially WHY we have YA lit today.