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From the Desk of Duncan Smith: Transitions
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Young Adult literature, like many of its protagonists, is going through some life changes. This issue of RA News focuses on YA lit as a "transitional" genre, one that not only focuses on relatable stories about transitions familiar to teens (from child to adulthood, new family structures, etc.), but is itself also changing in scope and presentation.
Check out Nanci Milone Hill's article on book-themed programs for some great tips on bringing YA books to life -- and teenagers into your library. Tom Reynolds reminds us that teens -- often characterized as self-absorbed -- are in fact interested in other teens, too (his reading suggestions about teen life in other countries could be the start of a very inviting book display). YA librarian Molly Wetta talks "New Adult" fiction, an emerging world of books aimed at readers moving into and past young adulthood (ages 18-25).
We are often youthful readers when we first discover a favorite writer. Later, we may discover the author's body of works has grown with us: for example, Judith Viorst -- beloved for her children's favorite Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day -- also wrote Necessary Losses, about the everyday disappointments and tragedies that we encounter as we age.
Older readers (even those, like me, teetering on the far edge of mid-life) savor YA reads as bittersweet reminders of what we faced growing up. (Peeta is my favorite Hunger Games character; like him, I know what it is to stand on the other side of a room noticing someone who doesn't notice you.)
In the end, as librarians we know that YA books are simply great stories waiting to be discovered again and again.
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In This Issue
- What is New Adult Fiction Anyway?
- Around the Web
- In Foreign Lands
- NoveList Bookshelf
- Teen Programming: Books to Movies
- Teen Realistic Fiction Genre Outline
Teen Read Week October 13-19, 2013
This year's theme? Seek the Unknown @ your library! Take the time to celebrate reading for fun with your teen patrons.
Maker Spaces: Starting Small An archived YALSA presentation
Join Hillary Kolos of the Bronx's DreamYard Project as she describes their MakerSpaces, Digital Learning Programs that help teens create and explore with digital media.
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by Molly Wetta
Chances are, if a patron approaches the reference desk and asks to be directed to the "new adult" fiction, she means the recently released adult fiction, as opposed to the new young adult or children's literature shelves.
But it's possible the patron has seen a feature on ABC News or read a piece in The New York Times or even a post on their favorite book blog about New Adult Fiction. Even those who have been following the trend and are familiar with this emerging publishing category might be...
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Each month, Jessica Zellers adds a few items to your web-surfing itinerary. Take a look at these lists, articles, reviews, and the best of new RA materials and advice.
I like to select a Banned Book to read for pleasure around this time of year, in anticipation of Banned Books Week (September 22-28). An enlightened high school English teacher started me on this annual tradition; she gave her classes a list of classic literature that had been banned and had each student pick one to read. Any book group could easily borrow this idea for a September book discussion, especially since censorship is such a juicy topic. If hefty classics are too cumbersome for the participants, don't worry...
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by Tom Reynolds
Teenagers recognize that they are part of a larger global community and they are curious about how teenagers live in other parts of the world, like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In some of these places, traditional values and ways of life are threatened by rapid development, globalization, and violence, and grinding poverty, civil war, and environmental destruction shape everyday life. In the coming-of-age stories below, young people face incredible obstacles as they journey...
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Every month, we include a few of the titles that NoveList staff and contributors are reading. Have you read them? What did you think?
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Recommended by Christine Wells
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Dodger
Recommended by Lauren Kage
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by Nanci Milone Hill
Teens are often an enigma. It takes careful observation to tie programming into what's trendy at any given time. While running a teen book group at your library might not yield results, connecting books to popular movies, television shows, or gaming is a win-win. They are already excited about the subject, which brings them into the library for programming, and sometimes, even leads them to pick up the book, which, let's face it -- librarians know is always better. There are other benefits as well. A boost in teen engagement at the library brings...
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by Jennifer Brannen
Realistic fiction is real life set to fiction. It's about anything that can happen in real life -- good, bad, and in-between. It's real emotions and behaviors in real settings and encompasses the experience of characters from all different backgrounds. It can also include extremes, both positive and negative, from high living with a focus on wealth, designer clothes, and private schools to the darker extremes of drug use, family breakdowns, and sexual assault. The only limit is reality...
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