Why do we share literature with children?
Beyond the very obvious reason of doing so for entertainment or to learn new things, sharing literature with children is a way to enrich many aspects of their lives. In their academic futures, reading is an essential skill that will be needed regardless of how far they decide to go in academia. Many school aged children struggle with reading and reading comprehension, but by reading to them, and with them, we guide them down the path of becoming lifelong readers.
Reading is also a way to transmit culture. They get to experience a someone else’s reality, and along the way this fosters the development of empathy.
Children might also seem themselves in the characters they read about. When a story has a main character who overcomes adversity, the reader realizes that they are not alone and that others have been able to overcome,as can they.
Imagination is a crucial skill. Many of the best innovations have been created by people who were able to visualize future needs.
Division of Young People’s Literature
Children's literature (0-8 years old)
Wordless picture books
Easy readers
Illustrated picture books
Early chapter books.
Middle Grade/Tweens- ages 8-12 years old:
not to be confused with middle school books.
Middle school is often confused with middle grade books. These books can deal with romance, schools issues, and some can deal with tougher issues of children who are older than the middle grade.
Young Adult (13-18 years old)
This literature can deal with very serious issues of sex, relationships, and other mature topics, usually with language that would not be found in middle school books.
New Adults (18-30 years old)
Cutting edge fiction that appeals to a young audience.
Usually purchased by adults.
Deal with recent high school graduates, leaving home for the first time and experiencing first major relationship.
Dealing with adult issues without parental supervision
Middle school is not a literature category but a group of students who usually have a hard time finding material that they want to read, and usually want to read YA. Kids want to read up, but we have to be careful in what we recommend to them.
Genres and Formats: They Might Not Be What You Think
There is fiction and nonfiction; everything else is a subgenre.
Fiction branches out to realism and fantasy
Realism branches out further to be historical or realistic
Realistic can be modern or contemporary
Fantasy can be modern or traditional
There are countless subdivisions beyond, such as different levels of fantasy and science fiction, and it is determined by how much the fantasy or sci-fi plays a role in the story.
Non-fiction likewise can be subdivided into many subcategories, beginning with Informational.
Subject are not genres. Terms such as chick lit, mystery, horror, and dystopia to name a few, are not genres although the often are confused.
Formats are ways in which the material is presented. We should let students know that different genres can be found in various formats such as graphic novel, poetry, novels, and picture books.
Genrefying a library can lead to problems of books that fit into many different categories, or having people look for books in a section that is labeled for particular genders.
What is Young Adult Literature?
These are stories in which the main character is a young person, and they are facing issues related to changes as they are growing up. I find that for most of these books, the language used is very authentic and feels like a young person is speaking. Throughout these novels the character experiences some form of mental or emotional growth.
How do Adolescents Develop?
In order to match books to readers, we must know how they develop and grow.
They can develop:
Intellectually
Children develop from concrete to abstract at around the age of 10.
We can recommend books based on how well students can comprehend abstract thoughts.
Morally
Preconventional level of morality
Reward or punishment? Does it determine your actions?
Conventional level of morality
Rules/law are followed
Postconventional morality
Awareness of the law, but they may be violated if they are not morally right
Physically
Am I normal?
When will I look different?
As Readers
Develops empathy
Unconscious delight
Serial reading
Autobiographical reading
Reading to see yourself in the characters
To validate your own life
Reading for vicarious experience
Reading to experience a different reality
Reading for Philosophical Speculation
Asking morals and values questions
Can happen in non-fiction too
Reading for aesthetic experiences
Reading for the joy of the experience
How does the author make you feel about the characters?
Developmental Stages
Moving from childhood to adulthood.
Developing relationships with the opposite sex in non-sexual ways
Changing relationship with parents
Defining their own morals and values
Growing into their own bodies
Defining their own appropriate sex roles
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