3. What is YA lit?
Contemporary young-adult
literature aimed at students
between the ages of 12 and 20
explores a wide range of societal
issues that cut across content
areas, including conflict, violence,
ethical decisions, ecological
issues, and family life. The appeal
of fiction, often narrated in first-
person voice, rests on teen
characters who are usually quite
strong, in contrast to common
stereotypes that abound about
adolescents (Herz & Gallo, 1996).
4. What is YA lit?
Contemporary young-adult
literature aimed at students
between the ages of 12 and 20
explores a wide range of societal
issues that cut across content
areas, including conflict, violence,
ethical decisions, ecological
issues, and family life. The appeal
of fiction, often narrated in first-
person voice, rests on teen
characters who are usually quite
strong, in contrast to common
stereotypes that abound about
adolescents (Herz & Gallo, 1996).
5. Most novels run about 125 pages
and are highly engaging and
readable. A good novel has the
potential to illuminate concepts
in history, science, mathematics,
art, music, physical education,
health, agriculture, industrial
arts, and a variety of other
content areas (Readence, Bean, &
Baldwin, 2004).
6. Most novels run about 125 pages
and are highly engaging and
readable. A good novel has the
potential to illuminate concepts
in history, science, mathematics,
art, music, physical education,
health, agriculture, industrial
arts, and a variety of other
content areas (Readence, Bean, &
Baldwin, 2004).
7. Most novels run about 125 pages
and are highly engaging and
readable. A good novel has the
potential to illuminate concepts
in history, science, mathematics,
art, music, physical education,
health, agriculture, industrial
arts, and a variety of other
content areas (Readence, Bean, &
Baldwin, 2004).
8. Why YA Lit?
"Adolescent literature
has the potential to
broaden adolescents
vision of self and the
world, providing an
avenue for reflection,
and a means for personal
development" (Groenke,
YA lit has been written 2).
"about adolescents, with "Adolescents choose to
adolescent readers in read adolescent novels
mind" (Groenke, 2). over canonical works
when given the
opportunity to
YA Lit can changes with the
choose" (Groenke, 2).
times to reflect teens
9. Why YA Lit?
"Adolescent literature
has the potential to
broaden adolescents
vision of self and the
world, providing an
avenue for reflection,
and a means for personal
development" (Groenke,
YA lit has been written 2).
"about adolescents, with "Adolescents choose to
adolescent readers in read adolescent novels
mind" (Groenke, 2). over canonical works
when given the
opportunity to
YA Lit can changes with the
choose" (Groenke, 2).
times to reflect teens
10. Using YA lit in the
classroom
Read a louds
Use first book in series
Free verse works great
Independent reading time Book Clubs
Stock remainder of Book Reviews
series on shelf
Class good reads
account
11. Using YA lit in the
classroom
Read a louds
Use first book in series
Free verse works great
Independent reading time Book Clubs
Stock remainder of Book Reviews
series on shelf
Class good reads
account
12. Cross Curricular
example
Science teachers could be doing a moon unit, or a unit on
meteors, or a unit on natural disasters and how they work.
They could even talk about becoming self sufficient, and how
viruses spread.
History teachers could easily study any time if natural disasters or complete
government breakdown. Or they could focus on what services the government
provides. If it vanished overnight, what would happen?
Math teachers could join forces with the health teacher and teach kids how to
calculate how many calories they need in a day. They could also calculate how long
fuel would last, or how much of a crop needs to be planted for a family of fill in the
blank.
Fine art electives could pull music inspired by the moon or paintings of the moon
into play. Did you know people used to paint the moon without craters? The mindset
was that the moon was perfect. The moon is typically depicted as a symbol of
13. Cross Curricular
example
Science teachers could be doing a moon unit, or a unit on
meteors, or a unit on natural disasters and how they work.
They could even talk about becoming self sufficient, and how
viruses spread.
History teachers could easily study any time if natural disasters or complete
government breakdown. Or they could focus on what services the government
provides. If it vanished overnight, what would happen?
Math teachers could join forces with the health teacher and teach kids how to
calculate how many calories they need in a day. They could also calculate how long
fuel would last, or how much of a crop needs to be planted for a family of fill in the
blank.
Fine art electives could pull music inspired by the moon or paintings of the moon
into play. Did you know people used to paint the moon without craters? The mindset
was that the moon was perfect. The moon is typically depicted as a symbol of
14. Teaching History
Through YA lit
Historical fiction comes as
close as possible to the
authentic work of other
eras in its capacity to
evoke past times while yet
being likely to succeed
with school aged children
today. (Tunnel, 16).
Makes kids feel like they
were there
Acknowledges the ordinary
people in history
15. Teaching History
Through YA lit
Historical fiction comes as
close as possible to the
authentic work of other
eras in its capacity to
evoke past times while yet
being likely to succeed
with school aged children
today. (Tunnel, 16).
Makes kids feel like they
were there
Acknowledges the ordinary
people in history
16. Teaching History
Through YA lit
Historical fiction comes as
close as possible to the
authentic work of other
eras in its capacity to
evoke past times while yet
being likely to succeed
with school aged children
today. (Tunnel, 16).
Makes kids feel like they
were there
Acknowledges the ordinary
people in history
19. Choosing YA Lit
There are 174,117 books
considered teen reads on
amazon.com this moment,
with an estimate 538 to be
added every month.
If you were to add middle
grade fiction that number
would double.
How to choose a YA novel for
your classroom?
amazon.com essentials list
Alan-ya.org
20. Choosing YA Lit
There are 174,117 books
considered teen reads on
amazon.com this moment,
with an estimate 538 to be
added every month.
If you were to add middle
grade fiction that number
would double.
How to choose a YA novel for
your classroom?
amazon.com essentials list
Alan-ya.org
21. teria for selection
In addition to Jango's criteria for a literary novel, consider the
following:
Is the plot realistic and of interest to adolescents?
• Are the characters dynamic and likely to appeal to
adolescents?
• Is the setting interesting but not overpowering?
• Is the theme of the novel compelling and related to the
human condition?
22. teria for selection
In addition to Jango's criteria for a literary novel, consider the
following:
Is the plot realistic and of interest to adolescents?
• Are the characters dynamic and likely to appeal to
adolescents?
• Is the setting interesting but not overpowering?
• Is the theme of the novel compelling and related to the
human condition?
25. Resources
Allen, Janet. Yellow Brick Roads. (2000). Stenhouse Publishers. Portland Main.
Bean, Thomas. (2003). Using Young Adult Literature to Enhance Comprehension in the Content Areas.
Las Vegas, NV. Learning Point Associates.
Beers, Kylene. Adolescent Literacy. (2007). Heinemann. Portsmouth NH.
Bushman, J. H., & Haas, K. P. (2001). Using young adult literature in the English classroom (3rd ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice-Hall.
Herz, S. K., & Gallo, D. R. (1996). From Hinton to Hamlet: Building bridges between young adult
literature and the classics. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Readence, J. E., Bean, T. W., & Baldwin, R. S. (2004). Content area literacy: An integrated approach (8th
ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.
Teaching YA Literature through Differentiated Instruction. Groenke, Susan., Scherff, Lisa. (2010)
Urbana, IL: NCTE.
Tunnel, M & Ammon, R. (1993). The Story of Ourselves: Teaching History Through Childrens
Literature. Heinemann.
