Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Vanderpool, C. (2013). Navigating Early. New York: Delacorte Press.

Jack’s mom died of a brain aneurysm, and he hasn’t seen his dad in years, due to the military. To be closer, Jack’s dad, who has a distant relationship with Jack, moves him to a boarding school. Jack isn’t fitting in until he meets a peculiar boy named Early Auden. Early keeps to himself and doesn’t have friends. Early asks Jack to go on a quest with him to find his brother Fisher, who the military believes was killed in combat. However, Early doesn’t accept this. Early believes that pi, 3.14, is never ending, and that Pi is on a quest to become Polaris, just like Early is on a quest to find his brother. Jack agrees, and they take the Sweetie Pie rowboat to travel in. After many adventures, Early and Jack find Early’s brother alive, but he refuses to come home. Solider to solider Jack’s dad talks to Fisher, who agrees to come home. The format of the book switches from the narration of the story of Early and Jack’s adventures, to the story of Polaris and his travels. This book conveys the idea that everyone is on an internal journey in their life, trying to physically navigate, while wondering how they will reach the end. Early and Jack have many things in common, such as they’re both outsiders, both mom’s died, and each has a family member in the military. Sense of remorse is an ever-present theme, whether it’s Fisher feeling guilty about being the only survivor, Jack not being able to save his mom, or his dad not being there for Fisher. The navigator ring is a symbol displayed in the book. It symbolizes the need for Jack to press on and never lose his direction. Navigating Early won the 2014 Printz Honor award.  I recommend this book for English teachers who teach lessons over symbolism and themes.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. NY, NY: Graphix.

Raina, the main character, tries to navigate the tough world of being a middle school student. In sixth grade, Raina falls and breaks her two front teeth. Throughout her middle school years, she deals with having to wear braces, fake teeth, a mouth guard, and even headgear. As she tackles her embarrassment of her teeth complications, Raina also braves the typical middle school struggles and drama. She encounters losing friends because of their bullying, the ups and downs of being interested in boys, and not making the basketball team, all while finding out her true self. Raina discovers she is a great friend and a talented artist. When she enters high school, her teeth are perfect again, she has made friends with people that truly care about her, and she loves to smile once more. Middle school adolescents can relate to this comical, yet endearing, graphic novel by relating to the struggles Raina deals with. Raina faces several themes throughout the book including the loss and gain of friendships. While Raina grapples with the situation with her teeth, her friends make fun of everything about her. However, she finds new friends at the end of the story. The author, Raina Telgemeier, displays the truth about what many tweens encounter in middle school by incorporating the loss of innocence as the theme. This book is an autobiography of Raina Telgemeier and her experience with receiving braces in sixth grade. Another book by Raina Telgemeier, is Sisters that follows the same characters. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Novel by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown.

Arnold (Junior), is a young boy living on an Indian reservation with his very poor family. He was born with water on the brain, and because of this he has abnormalities. Arnold decides to leave the “rez” if he ever has hope of becoming anything, which makes his best friend, Rowdy, very upset. Arnold decides to attend Reardan, which is a small high school twenty-two miles from the “rez”, and consists of rich white kids. At first, Arnold is made fun of because he’s an Indian, and has to tolerate bullying because of his skin color. Eventually, he earns his peer’s respect. Arnold not only has a love interest, Penelope, but also joins the basketball team. Arnold has to endure many deaths that occur, including his grandma, sister, and dad’s best friend. At the end, Arnold and Rowdy patch up their friendship, and Arnold isn’t as lonely anymore. A major theme that comes into play in this realistic fiction book is the loss of loved ones. Arnold loses his grandmother to a drunk driver, his dad’s best friend to a shooting, and his sister to a house fire. Two key motifs portrayed are racism and alcohol. Since Arnold is an Indian who attends a “white” school, he is bullied not only at school, but by the people on the “rez”. Most of the people in Arnold’s life are alcoholics, which plays a factor in him leaving the “rez” to attend Reardan. Sherman Alexie adds cartoon drawings to help the reader understand Arnold’s emotions and the struggles he endures. The book is also told through the perspective of Arnold in a diary format. I would recommend this book to middle school students, and social studies teachers teaching about social issues such as racism. Here is a book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy7BLTcRKgo

The Boy in the Black Suit Book by Jason Reynolds

Reynolds, J. (2015). The boy in the black suit. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Matt’s mom died of cancer, and his dad’s an alcoholic. Matt becomes interested in a girl, Lovey, at Cluck Bucket. While there, a family friend, Mr. Ray, offers Matt a job at his funeral home. Matt accepts, and realizes he enjoyed watching the emotions of people close to the dead person. It made him feel connected to them and validated his feelings about his mom dying. Mr. Ray and Matt’s best friend, Chris, were positive influences in his life, since his dad became an alcoholic. Matt and Lovey reconnect at Loveys’ grandma’s funeral. Their bond builds when Lovey reveals her mom, Renee, was murdered by a boyfriend. Matt realizes he and Chris had witnessed her mom’s murder. Matt’s dad gets hit by a car after a night of drinking, but survives. Matt knows he is grateful to have Lovey, Mr. Ray, and Chris to support him, and he’s able to smile once more. The Boy in the Black Suit will pull on the heart strings of the reader. The raw emotions Matt feels and conveys about his mom dying and his dad being an alcoholic can make the reader feel sympathetic; it is as if the reader knows Matt and wants to be there for him. An adolescent who has lost a parent might read this book for autobiographical reasons. Many times throughout the book the author, Jason Reynolds, makes references to current reality shows, singers, a NFL team, and a civil rights activists, which draws the reader in and connects to real life experiences and connections. This book is currently on the top ten 2016 Best Fiction for Young Adults list. I would recommend Hold Tight, Don’t Let Go, by Laura Rose Wagner. It too deals with death and tragedy of a loved one.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. NY, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Miranda lives with her mom and step-dad, Richard. Miranda’s relationship with her best friend, Sal, becomes strained after Sal is punched. She begins receiving strange letters from a person, known as “you”, who knows much about her and events that haven’t taken place. Throughout the book “you” asks her to write letters from the past months. Miranda responds and begins to realize she may be forced to save a friend’s life. When Miranda walks home from school she encounters a homeless man known as “The Laughing Man”. Everything comes together when, Marcus, the kid who punched Sal, tries to apologize. Sal gets spooked and runs into the street. “The Laughing Man” saves both Marcus’s life and Sal’s. Miranda finds the final note in the laughing man’s shoe and discovers “The Laughing Man” was really Marcus as his older self, coming back to save him and Sal through the help of Miranda’s letters. Ultimately, Miranda and Sal become friends again. When You Reach Me has a very complex story line filled with suspense. It switches between Miranda’s mom preparing for the game show, and Miranda finding the letters and writing back to the mysterious person. Time travel is an evident theme when Miranda discovers Marcus is “The Laughing Man” who had time travel from the future. This science fiction book shows the true test of friendship and no matter the obstacle true friends are always there for each other. The author, Rebecca Stead, keeps the reader engaged and intrigued, wondering who is sending the letters and what they means. This book will make the reader use their imagination and think creatively. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle would be another book to follow with since it is referenced in the book. 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books.

Persepolis, The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi is the author’s memoir of her childhood growing up in Iran during the time of the Islamic Revolution. It begins when Marjane is six years old and ends when she is fourteen. She describes events that took place in her hometown, Tehran, the capital of Iran, as she lived them. Events experienced by every day common people in Iran are described through Strapi’s narrations and direct conversations. She tells stories of how events happening in Iran during the chaotic and dangerous Islamic Revolution affected her, her family, and the people she knew. She described her feelings of wearing a veil, her relatives being imprisoned, tortured, and executed by the governments, protesters being murdered, and other horrifying events. The book ends with the author’s parents sending her to Austria to live with relatives to protect her from the dangers of war and revolt. This book is written in a graphic novel format and is a memoir of the author’s childhood. Each chapter tells a different story about events in her life. The pictures show the faces of the characters' many emotions they are experiencing such as fear, sadness, anxiety and anger. The book is written for young adults, but adults can enjoy the book as well. The author shines a light on the common people of Iran, recognizing they did not always agree with the government. The book makes the reader realize the Iranian people suffered under their government. Persepolis, The Story of a Childhood is presented in a different perspective of life in Iran than we normally picture. I would recommend Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return as the next book in the collection of Marjane Satrapi’s titles. 

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Steve Harmon, the main character and narrator, is on trial for murder, however he claims he is innocent. To keep his sanity, as the trial plays out, Steve chronicles the events as if they were a screen-play. He decides to call it Monster since that’s what the prosecutor called him in trial. The prosecutor, Ms. Petrocelli claims two of Steve’s friends, Richard “Bobo” Evans and James King, intended to rob a store owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt, and Steve was the lookout. Things went array when Mr. Nesbitt pulled a gun out to protect himself. A struggle occurs between Mr. Nesbitt and the two boys, the gun went off and Mr. Nesbitt was killed. After a barrage of experts, witnesses and accomplices were put on the stand against Steve, the jury found Steve “Not Guilty”. Throughout the trial Steve leans on the support and trust of his family. Steve Harmon is internally conflicted with himself throughout the book. He can’t believe where his life has ended up and what he has done to his family. The format of the book switches from a screen-play to journals entries, both of which are narrated by Steve Harmon. The main characters are laid out at the beginning of the book as if there were credits rolling on a screen. The use of bold, large words help the reader feel the emotions of Steve as the trial plays out. It is evident family plays an important role in Steve’s life. He needs them and depends on their strength to get through this tough time. Monster has murder, lies and deceit, family bond, and betrayal all bundled into a suspenseful, thrilling murder mystery book. I would recommend this book to an English teacher that teaches different artistic styles of writing. 

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Todd lives in Prentisstown with his guardians Ben and Cillian. “Noise” is a germ where men and animals can “hear” thoughts. No females live in Prentisstown. Todd hears a hole in the noise near the swamp and realizes it’s a girl, Viola. Todd’s forced to leave Prentisstown by Ben and Cillian because they fear for his safety. The mayor of Prentisstown organizes an army of men who pursue them. The army follows the three, conquers towns, and kills many people. The three escape close encounters with the army from Prentisstown. To stay alive and reach Haven, Todd and Viola meet many people. Some help them while others try to harm them. Todd realizes everything he’s been told throughout his life was a lie. They reach Haven only to find it deserted and Mayor Prentiss in charge. Viola gets shot and readers don’t know if she lives. The Knife of Never Letting Go is the first book of a fictional fantasy trilogy, Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness. It targets young adults readers with an adventure of a young boy filled with suspend and anxiety. The author creates suspense by beginning the book with difficult to understand actions of what is happening. As the book progresses, the reader begins to understand why things are what they are. After beginning to understand what is going on, the reader become engrossed in the adventures of Todd and Viola. The constant “Noise” that is present represents the information that is everywhere today in all forms of media, like email, texts, messaging, etc. The book is enthralled with emotions including fear, hatefulness, anger, anxiety, and relief. Todd, many times, has a man vs. self-conflict, trying to decide if he should kill people. I would recommend this book to students who love reading trilogies. Here is a book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj4fowWo7xM

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces. El Paso, Tejas: Cinco Puntos Press.
Gabi, a senior, is trying to navigate her last high school year, while tackling various hurdles thrown her way. At the beginning, she not only learns that her best friend, Sebastian is gay, but her other best friend, Cindy, is pregnant. Gabi attempts to cope with these revelations and is a supportive friend. Not only does Gabi have to worry about her friend’s adversities, but her home life is in pieces as well. Her dad’s a meth addict, her brother was arrested for graffiti, and her mom becomes pregnant. Gabi stands by her friends even when bullies try to tear them down, all while attempting to get into her dream college, Berkeley. Gabi recognizes she loves her family even through the hardships. As her senior year closes, Gabi has learned that no matter the circumstances, the love of close friends and family is all she needs to succeed in life. Gabi chronicles her thoughts in a diary style format. Since Gabi is part Hispanic, she writes in Spanish at times in her diary. Ms. Abernard, her teacher, and Rosemary, her neighbor, are symbolic figures throughout the book. They are motherly figures and Gabi trusts them because they give motherly advice to her since her mother isn’t emotionally supportive. The author incorporates, in a light hearted but authentic way, tribulations and contemporary issues many high school students understand and can relate to in some fashion such as high school pregnancy, body image, addiction, sexual orientation, contested parental relationships, death, and simply trying to fit in. I would recommend This Side of Home, by Renée Watson as a follow-up story that is similar to this book.

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

King, A. S. (2011). Everybody sees the ants: a novel. New York: Little, Brown.

Lucky’s having a tough time at school and home. His dad is busy being a chef, and his mom swims laps. Lucky gets tormented by the school bully, Nader. Lucky’s mom is tired of their situation and decides she and Lucky will go live for the summer in Arizona with her brother and sister-in-law. To escape from all the torment, Lucky dreams he is saving his grandfather, Harry, who is a POW in Vietnam.  During his dreams Harry gives Lucky advice and encouragement about what to do in his life. Lucky also meets, Ginny, who is also having trouble with her parents, who want her to continue to be a hair model. As their bond grows, they lean on each other for advice and support. Eventually, Lucky and his mom move back, and their family starts becoming close again, and he learns to stand up to Nadar. Throughout Everybody Sees the Ants, by A. S. King, Lucky envisions ants following him, giving him comical and sarcastic comments and advice about the various situations he is in. Conflict between two people and the importance of family bonds are two influential themes portrayed all through the book, and help the reader see how both can impact a young kid. This book merges realism and fantasy because not only is Lucky narrating about his current life circumstances, but he dreams about saving his grandfather in the war. I would recommend this book to junior high readers who enjoy reading about war. Here is a book trailer for Everybody Sees the Ants: https://youtu.be/5juiTIH2qTI

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Ben starts his senior year with a devastating diagnosis of a blood disease. He forgoes treatment, keeps the diagnoses a secret, and lives his last year to the fullest. Ben decides to join the football team with his brother, Cody. Throughout the year, he has a contested relationship with his teacher, dates a volleyball player named Dallas, and begins an unlikely friendship with the town drunk, Rudy. Ben’s health quickly deteriorates, and realizes he has to tell everyone the truth of his diagnosis. During Ben’s dreams, an imaginary character named “Hey-Soos” brings insight to Ben and leads him into choosing his own path. After learning of Ben’s diagnoses, Ben’s family and Dallas are there for him. After Ben’s passing, Cody reads Ben’s speech at graduation about living everyday like it’s your last. Dallas and Cody both keep Ben’s memory alive in their hearts as they both attend Boise State. This realistic fiction book, by Chris Crutcher, is both emotional and heartwarming and will pull on the heart strings of the reader. The themes of loss of life and the blessing of loving family are evident in the book throughout Ben’s experiences and relationships. Readers can make connections to these positive and negative social issues since many students face them every day. Deadline would be beneficial in a writing class, where students who have to answer what they would do and how would they live their life if they were given a deadly diagnosis. Another book that can be followed up with by Chris Crutcher is Period 8.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Black, H. (2015). The darkest part of the forest. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

This story is about young adults living in Fairfold and the fairy world around them. Usually the humans of Fairfold and the fairies, or Folk, live without conflict. Hazel and Ben, brother and sister, imagined since their early youth that they were knights and battled with the monsters of the Folk world. When the Folk prince, Severin, is released from his crystal coffin in the forest, real conflict between the humans of Fairfold and the Folk breaks out. The humans are in danger of being destroyed. Hazel, Ben, and Severin, and Jack (a fairy living as a human) fight against the dangerous creatures of the Folk world out to destroy Fairfold. Adventures confront these four and eventually the monsters are destroyed and Fairfold is saved. The humans and Folk resume their peaceful co-existence which is better than ever. The Darkest Part of the Forest, by Holly Black, is a supernatural fantasy. The books were organized into chapters that followed a logical timeline. The main characters are young adult which makes it an interesting read for this age group. The book is filled with suspense, danger, and emotion. Readers are drawn into a fantasy world that exists around a real human world. The author effectively creates interaction between the Folk and human worlds. After much conflict, the two worlds become peaceful again. Human emotions are displayed by the fairies (Folk) and the Folk monsters. I believe young adults (13-18 years) would enjoy this full of action book. I would recommend, Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale, by Holly Black as another one of her fantasy books.

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

Liza Winthrop lives in an area of New York City where affluent families live. Lisa attends a small private school and wants to be an architect. Annie Kenyon lives in a much poorer area of New York City, and attends a very rough public school. Annie wants to study vocal music after high school. They meet in a large museum and grow to be close friends. Their friendship stirs strong emotional feelings towards each other, and eventually both admit that they love each other. Their love for each other becomes public and causes problems for those around them. After going off to college their love for each other still grows even though they have little contact. The story ends with the girls reaffirming their love for each other. This book has strong feelings of love develop, and was told from the memories of Lisa Winthrop, of how feelings grow from friendship to deep love. The book shows feelings of anxiety, fear, joy, and sadness that both girls experience. This book may help young adults who are confused about their feelings for the same sex. Young adults may read this book in an attempt to understand their possible feelings. The author deals with this in a positive and caring way. At the end, there’s an interview with the author. She tells of her realization that she was gay and how that affected her. She talks about the lack of gay literature for young people, which is why she wrote the book. During the development of adolescents, they are adapting to their bodies and defining their sex roles, and this book helps bring this to light. Here’s a book trailer: https://youtu.be/ppRtHPFXzzk

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Green, J. (2012). An abundance of Katherines. New York: Speak.

Colin, a child prodigy, doesn’t understand why his relationships with Katherines end. To get his mind off his 19th Katherine, Colin and his friend, Hassan, take a road trip and end up in Gutshot. They meet Lindsey Lee Wells and Colin is instantly smitten. However, she’s dating a guy named Colin “the other Colin” (TOC). Colin’s obsessed with figuring out a mathematical theory to understand whether a relationship will last. The boys stay in Gutshot through summer, eventually learning “TOC” is cheating on Lindsey. This opens a door for Colin to pursue Lindsey. However, Colin plugs all of his past Katherine relationships into his “Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability” and realizes it doesn’t work. Lindsey helps him understand no chart can predict what happens in the future. The two date, and Hassan ultimately decides to start taking classes in college. This comical book shows a care-free friendship between two boys, one which is Muslim. There are many references to the Muslim culture and language, which this book helps prove two people can get along no matter what their beliefs or culture are. The author, John Green, also includes many footnotes at the end of the pages. The footnotes consist of humor, graphs/charts, translations, and definitions. Like most young adult books, the main character shows a gradual change throughout the book. Coming-of-age is displayed as Colin and Hassan mature and grow-up through the story. I’d recommend The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, also by John Green, because they both incorporate young love and friendship. Both books have been made into movies.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

Smith, A. (2014). 100 sideways miles. NY, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

At seven, a dead horse fell on Finn injuring him and killing his mom. Finn says the horse fell 100 sideways miles because he theorizes the earth travels 20 miles per second. Because of the accident, Finn has epilepsy and a quirky scar on his back, which his best friend, Cade, teases him for. When a new girl, Julia, enrolls, Finn is smitten. She reveals she has read Finn’s father’s book, “The Lazarus Door”, which Finn hates because he feels the character resembles him. Finn has seizures, which Cade and Julia have to help him get through. Julia returns to her hometown, and Cade and Finn embark on their college visit road trip. However, a massive rainstorm makes it difficult to drive. They realize the car in front of them drove into a river. They jump in and save two people. Cade and Finn decide to detour to Chicago to surprise Julia. The literary device, foreshadowing, is evident when Finn has seizures and sees two “ghost-like” girls, Marjorie and Mazie Curtis. These girls died when the dam flooded the town. Finn and Cade end up saving two lives from drowning. In the book, there’s a reoccurring symbol that represents what Finn’s scar looks likes. The importance of friendship and loss of innocence are two themes portrayed. Cade, who’s the sarcastic class clown, and Finn are always there for each other. Coming of age is revealed when Finn starts out as a shy and embarrassed because he think he bears a resemblances to a character in his dad’s book. By the conclusion, Finn realizes he has confidence and can write the end to his own story. The author, Andrew Smith, makes the tone not only serious, but comical, too. I would recommend this book to a young adult (13-18 years) student who wants to pick up an enjoyable book during leisure time.

Why We Share Literature with Children-Textbook Reflection

One reason why we share literature with children is because it is fun. Children start to become familiar with authors and illustrators. They also will begin enjoying reading with others and to other people. It also aids in the acquisition of language and language development. Students who read or are read to at home are more likely to have higher test scores and have a stronger and higher vocabulary development. According to research, children should have at least 1000 books read to them or they read by kindergarten. Sharing literature with children also helps develop empathy. This is a life lesson they will hold on to the rest of their lives. They are more likely to be truly understanding of people. Another reason we share literature is because it supports life-long readers, or unconscious delight. Children will either start to become “series” readers or “serial readers”. Series readers enjoy following book series and following a story. Serial readers follow certain books based on their genres, authors, etc. Reading ladders provide a guide to help librarians continue to help see what the student enjoys, gives the reader a place to start, and helps them grow. Readers like to read books that are like them. Kids like to see themselves in the books, this is why we need diversity in books. Many times students read for autobiographical reasons. Students can see themselves in a “mirror” when they are reading certain books that relate to their life personally. Students love to read for vicarious experiences. They are looking through a “window” of books. Kids can go through experiences by seeing how a character in books handles a certain situation or see the consequence the character is dealing with. Another way to support lifelong learning is to read for philosophical speculation. Children read certain books to see how they feel about important issues in their life, ethically, religiously, politically, etc. Reading for philosophical speculation answers big questions for kids; such as who am I, and why things happen. Reading for aesthetic experiences also supports lifelong readers, and why we share literature with children. This makes the child want to share the story they are reading, which gives them a deeper meaning. Sharing literature with children develops their imagination. The book may make them think deeper and wonder, “What would happen if...” Literature helps transmit culture. Students should have access to many different types of books. When watching the points about how students read for vicarious experiences and autobiographically, it brought me back to my junior high years. I love reading vicariously about how detectives figure out mysteries. Since I was a cheerleader, I loved reading autobiographically books about cheerleading. When evaluating young adult literature, I would read from a student’s point of view to make sure they cover a wide variety of issues.

What is YA Literature?-Textbook Reflection

Young adult literature has youths as the protagonists, and is based on contemporary issues. The books are written as how an adolescent would view or interpret the same situation. In young adult books, there is direct confrontation and the character goes through a significant change in their life.  Young adults’ characters show gradual change and incomplete growth throughout the books and the character receives consequences depending on frame. Books that are considered young adults are based on how adolescences develop. As I continue to read and evaluate young adult books, I will be observant of what YA literature is comprised of. I know this is information students will ask me as they are browsing the young adult section of the library. This is also information I can add in my commentary when I evaluate the books.

The Development of Adolescents-Textbook Reflection

Adolescents develop intellectually, morally and physically. As adolescents develop they wonder if they normal. Many books can help them understand that their physical changes are normal. Intellectually, students develop from concrete to abstract. When asking questions and recommending books, take into consideration whether they are developmentally concrete or abstract thinkers. Adolescents go through developmental stages at different rates. They learn to get along with peers and the opposite sex. They start working for pay, which means independence. Their relationship with their parents start to change as well. Finding a vocation helps them start thinking about what they might be good at when they grow up. They start to develop morals and values which directly affects their relationships with others. During their development, adolescents start to adapt to their changing bodies. Defining their sex roles is difficult at this stage because society puts a stigma on what is or isn’t girl or boy “things”. Kohlsberg’s theory is important to remember as adolescents start to develop their level of morality. Consider the needs of adolescents according to Maslow: physiologically, safety, love, self-esteem, and self- actualization. Librarians may be able to suggest books that can help adolescents who’s certain needs are not being met. The library needs to always be safe and a place where a student feels accepted. Adolescents are always developing as readers. As librarians, we need to make sure we provide books that reflect the diversity of the readers and where they can see themselves through the books. Knowing how students develop and that they develop at different rates will help me be aware of the books I have in my library collection. I always make sure my classroom is safe space and students’ needs are being met, and I will instill this same philosophy in my library. Most of the time we don’t know what students are going through at home and allowing them to feel welcomed in the library, will motivate them to want to read and continue to come back to the library., As I evaluate books, I will be conscious of how books portray the development process in a truthful and positive way.

Genres and Formats-Textbook Reflection

Librarians have started to “genrefy” their libraries, which can be confusing for students. The only two genres are fiction and nonfiction, everything else is subgenres. Fiction consists of realism and fantasy, which each has additional subgenres such as traditional and modern books. Fictions consist of books that have fairies, science fiction, myth, folktales, talking animals, etc. Nonfiction is informational text which is then broken down into further subgenres. Common categories/ subjects that get confused as genres are girl/ guy reads, mystery, horror, sports fiction, action, war, classics, humor and dystopia. People also confuse formats as genres. Formats consist of poetry, novels, drama, short stories, graphic novels, and chapter books. It is important for a librarian to research whether it is best to “genrefy” his/her library. This information was very informative and enlightening. As I reflect back on my teaching, I can remember times I told students that poetry was a genre, which I will now correct. This is a chapter I will continue to refer to. As I evaluate literature, I will be more cognizant of the genre and subgenre of the book. This will help me, help students find a specific book they are interested in.

Divisions of Young People-Textbook Reflection

Books are divided into different divisions, based on the ages of children. The first one is children’s literature, 0-8 years, which includes books that are wordless picture books, picture chapter books, easy readers and early chapters. Middle grade/ tween, 8-12 years, includes graphic novels, and novels. Middle grade books may not be the same as middle school books. They cover different ages/ grade levels, and it’s important to not mix these up. Middle school, grades 6-8, books start to deal with more social issues such as sexual orientation and romance. These kids have a hard time finding material they like. They are too young for YA, but are too mature for children’s books. Young adult, 13-18 years, continues these social issues, but might be a little more inappropriate books for middle school. New adult, 18-30 years, is a new category. The books are older than YA, but can appeal to a young audience. These books are dealing with adult issues without supervision. I believe it’s imperative to pay attention to a book and see what audience is appropriate for that book. Librarians need to realize that students may be in the middle grade age group. A book might be inappropriate for an eight year old, but suitable for a twelve year old. Knowing this information, I can better evaluate books and be more precise as to the age/level of the students I would recommend a book to.