New YA Novels: Book Club Notes

New YA Novels
2-20-13

Hey Everyone,
This was a meeting where everyone read a novel that had been written in the last year or so. It was meant to give us am idea of what's being written now, rather than continuing to focus on what was written 50+ years ago. Overall I think the meeting was very enlightening. By continuing to follow contemporary YA lit., we will grow in our knowledge of students and their interest. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Discussion Questions:

1. What themes are present?

a. Where there any new ides with these new novels or did you see them as telling an "age old story."
Legend: Romance, but female character in control.
Fault in Our Stars: Romance as driving force, the persistent guy.
Mocking Jay: Trilogy has romance, but truly questionable.
Tiger Lily: first love romance, post-colonialism.

2. What are the similarities between classic and newer YA stories?
Themes are similar. Have young protagonist. Happy endings

3. How was your  novel written for a YA audience (young main character, easy to read, high school romance, coming of age story)?


4. As a critique did you find your novel well written?
a. Did it have good diction, grammatically correct, proper sentence structure, good character introduction?
Tiger Lily: well written, but faulty narrator
Fault in Our Stars: predictable in some instances (for adults), by not poorly written.
Inside and Out: poetry was lacking in poetic conventions (probably intentional because narrator is 9 years old)

5. As a book enthusiast, did you enjoy yourself?
One and Only Ivan: loved that it was based on true story, but slightly uninteresting

6. Would you recommend this novel or have it in your classroom?

7. Would you teach this novel as a whole or in sections?
a. If so, how?

8. Compare and contrast classic YA (Wind in the Willows, Huck Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird) with contemporary YA.
a. Where's the direction going? Feminism, Multiculturalism, Youth-centered, empowerment of youth, unrealistic settings, Fantasy novels
b. Do you see a problem with contemporary authors? No, by putting yourself in another's mind or place, you broaden your mind.
c. Do you see a resistance in the school system and what are your feelings?
Believe that there should be a mixture of both.
Very situational, "how old is the librarian?" Librarian that is older will usually recommend older novels they also decide what is stocked.














Summary of Meeting

Books Read:
Mocking Jay, Tiger Lily, Fault in Our Stars, One and Only Ivan, Legend, Inside Out and Back Again





Main Points/Thoughts by readers:

Mocking Jay: teachable, political intrigue, despotic regime, cautionary tale, gender discussion, great gate-way book.
Tiger Lily: easy read (middle school), love story, post colonial ideals
Fault in Our Stars: tear jerker, typical John Green book, has already recommended the book twice to high schools (one read it in 2 days), language is accessible, easy for teenagers to get excited about.
One and Only Ivan: won Newberry, middle school level, good for struggling readers, verse novel, from animal's perspective, good for teaching a hero's journey, 6.8 out of 10 (moved sort of slowly).
Legend: Asian main character, good for diverse readers, 2 different perspectives (boy and girl), can be compared to Hunger Games, very enjoyable, middle school level-pre Hunger Games level, can teach different perspectives with this novel.
Inside Out and Back Again: Read it in one night, very engaging, poetry novel, Vietnamese main character, accessible, great for teaching American history/culture,

Thought Provoking Statements:
YA Novels need to have hope.
Teaching ideas and/or strategies:
Scaffold your novels. Use Hunger Games for 1984. Use Tiger Lily for describing a higher post-colonial novel.
Find the strength in quotes. Have a board where students write their favorite quote. It invokes reading and has students take pride in the quote they choose.