There are many forms of multimedia and computer technology being used today to create information in the library setting.
One media being used at my kid's high school is a digital picture frame being used for monthly book talks. The librarian loads information regarding new or interesting books onto the memory card and it scrolls through with pictures of the book cover, book synopsis, short bio of the author and reader reviews. It's become a great tool to get some really good books into circulation that students might otherwise not think about.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Link to The ALA's List of Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Graphic novels and comic books can be a great way to get a poor or reluctant reader to read. Below is a link to the ALA's great graphic novels for teens.
http://http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/gn.cfm
http://http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/gn.cfm
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Young Adult Fiction is a Publishing Phenomena
There is a greater choice of books available to young adults than ever before, despite the fact that as a nation, reading is on the decline. In fact, young adult fiction is a booming business, which has lead David Levithan (author of ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’) to state that we are enjoying a “golden age for young adult books”. According to the publishing industry, American teens are reading up a storm. However, record book sales may also indicate that adults are buying and reading young adult fiction too. I know many adults who have read the Harry Potter and Twilight series for enjoyment, attracted to the well written plots. Thanks to writers like J.K. Rowling, the standard for young adult books is rising and the genre is no longer only for kids, adults get kicks out of teen fiction too.
Of course, adults and teens respond differently to fiction, studies suggest that the teen brain is more susceptible to influence and it’s interesting to look at what messages a book might be sending to a teen audience. For example, the ‘Twilight’ series has been criticized for being anti-feminist (Bella is too passive) and conservative (read no sex before marriage). Not necessarily what you might expect from a ‘dark’ vampire novel. Dark literature is ‘en-vogue' with young adults at the moment. Consider books like “The Hunger Games” set in a grim post-apocalyptic future, or “Thirteen Reasons Why” narrated by a dead girl who committed suicide. As dark as these titles are, they deal with emotions and problems that speak to young adults, and they ultimately contain elements of hope.
I don’t believe that books for young adults have to contain a moral; books written solely for this purpose are usually rejected by young adults. I’m a big advocate of reading for enjoyment, whether that is a throw- away graphic novel or a classic novel. I think that books that might seem ‘trivial’ to adults often deal with real-life issues and concerns that affect teenagers in their daily lives.
Of course, adults and teens respond differently to fiction, studies suggest that the teen brain is more susceptible to influence and it’s interesting to look at what messages a book might be sending to a teen audience. For example, the ‘Twilight’ series has been criticized for being anti-feminist (Bella is too passive) and conservative (read no sex before marriage). Not necessarily what you might expect from a ‘dark’ vampire novel. Dark literature is ‘en-vogue' with young adults at the moment. Consider books like “The Hunger Games” set in a grim post-apocalyptic future, or “Thirteen Reasons Why” narrated by a dead girl who committed suicide. As dark as these titles are, they deal with emotions and problems that speak to young adults, and they ultimately contain elements of hope.
I don’t believe that books for young adults have to contain a moral; books written solely for this purpose are usually rejected by young adults. I’m a big advocate of reading for enjoyment, whether that is a throw- away graphic novel or a classic novel. I think that books that might seem ‘trivial’ to adults often deal with real-life issues and concerns that affect teenagers in their daily lives.
Reading for pre-teens and young adults
I love to read. I have tried to instill this passion in my three children (I hope I have been successful, but I am still working with child #3). Needless to say it is hard for me to imagine children and young adults who do not share my enjoyment of reading. I recently re-entered the work force as a Elementary School Librarian, and I am shocked by the number of children I come across who do not like to read, or have any desire to read. It is a battle to get many of these children to check out books at all, let alone chapter books. I would like to believe that a lot of these "non-readers" would fall in love with books, if provided with a great story that meets their interest. That is why I believe the variety of young adult literature being offered today is great, so many different genres and interests, so many relevant topics for our children. I know some argue that the content is questionable and the material is not stimulating, but I often think that is not the point. I believe the point is to peak the interest of young adults, to get them reading. If they start reading with regularity, then the content and the "meatier" books will follow. Once a love for literature begins, it can take on a life of it's own, growing and expanding a young adults mind and interests. I say "happy reading"...how exciting to see where it will take them.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Literature for Young People
Being a middle school librarian, I get to read many of the books that come into my library. I make a point of reading anything that is popular with the kids so I can talk to them about the books. I also read anything that catches my eye when I'm out putting books away or entering new books into the computer. I"ve compared some of the books out there from generations past with what is being written and read today and I have to say, with a few exceptions, writers are much better today at getting kids fired up about reading. I believe just in the past decade, some of the best pre-teen/teen/young adult novels have been written. Books now not only entertain (Harry Potter, Alex Rider, Maximum Ride, etc) but they make kids think and open the lines of discussion on a variety of hot topics - date rape/Speak, alcohol & drugs/Forged by Fire, suicide/Thirteen Reasons Why - because let's face it, this is what pre-teens, teenagers and young adults are talking about.
I like that I can recommend books to my kids on just about anything that may interest them. I like that I find myself not only entertained when I read many of these books, but I'm asking myself questions, too. It opens up the lines of communication with my own kids because I'll read a book with a hot topic and bring it up at home to them and we'll all discuss it around the dinner table.
I do know there is a lot of drivel out there, books so not worth anyone's time that I wonder how they got published. But I do think there are enough good writer's continuing to spark young reader's interest and challenge them to think.
I like that I can recommend books to my kids on just about anything that may interest them. I like that I find myself not only entertained when I read many of these books, but I'm asking myself questions, too. It opens up the lines of communication with my own kids because I'll read a book with a hot topic and bring it up at home to them and we'll all discuss it around the dinner table.
I do know there is a lot of drivel out there, books so not worth anyone's time that I wonder how they got published. But I do think there are enough good writer's continuing to spark young reader's interest and challenge them to think.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Here is one of my favorite young adult novels. It is exciting, touching, funny, adventureous, and deep all at once. There are a lot of great discussions to be had throughout the reading of this book.
Young Adult Literature
Young adult literature is a hot topic right now because everyone seems to have an opinion- positive or negative. Some cite books like Twilight as literary junk food, turning youngsters' brains into flab. Others say these kinds of fun, light books are good because "at least they get kids reading."
When I looked up the ALA list of the best books for young adults, I was surprised. Very few of the books seem to have nuanced plots. Some were clearly desperate ploys to get the video game addicted generation to read, with plots centered around whild action and fairytale characters. Some are all too realistic, dealing with themes of delinquency, abortion, and abuse. Obviously these authors are trying to relate to young adult readers, but must they be so dreary. Should everything a teen reads be some kind of moral building block?
Most people think that it's a good idea for young adults to read books that feature good morals and values and of course it's good to have good influences at that point in your life. But shouldn't reading be fun? Who cares how wholesome a book is if it's absolute drudgery to read. To illustrate my feelings, I'll post here one of the books that made it onto the ALA's top books for 2010:
Yes, both are real books: Those were the descriptions of Jacqueline Davies' Lostand Amy Efaw's After. Then there are books that sound simply... too dumb for the average YA reader. As a teen I waned to read books that helped me understand society and how the world works. Most kids read to be entertained but keep reading because they know they're growing from it. One particular ALA-recommended book I found that seemed not very encouraging to social and mental growth was Rita Williams-Garcias's Jumped.
When I looked up the ALA list of the best books for young adults, I was surprised. Very few of the books seem to have nuanced plots. Some were clearly desperate ploys to get the video game addicted generation to read, with plots centered around whild action and fairytale characters. Some are all too realistic, dealing with themes of delinquency, abortion, and abuse. Obviously these authors are trying to relate to young adult readers, but must they be so dreary. Should everything a teen reads be some kind of moral building block?
Most people think that it's a good idea for young adults to read books that feature good morals and values and of course it's good to have good influences at that point in your life. But shouldn't reading be fun? Who cares how wholesome a book is if it's absolute drudgery to read. To illustrate my feelings, I'll post here one of the books that made it onto the ALA's top books for 2010:
"Essie, 16, sews all day for pennies at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory to help feed her fatherless family and now to forget her little sister's death. Then the fire happens."
"Soccer star Devon never admitted to herself that she was pregnant. Now she’s in detention, facing charges of attempted murder after delivering a baby and dumping it in the trash."
Yes, both are real books: Those were the descriptions of Jacqueline Davies' Lostand Amy Efaw's After. Then there are books that sound simply... too dumb for the average YA reader. As a teen I waned to read books that helped me understand society and how the world works. Most kids read to be entertained but keep reading because they know they're growing from it. One particular ALA-recommended book I found that seemed not very encouraging to social and mental growth was Rita Williams-Garcias's Jumped.
"When Trina unknowingly insults Dominique in the hallway, she’s in danger of being jumped after school. Leticia could warn her, but she’s reluctant to get involved."Uh, okay, and then what happened? Is that the whole story? Don't young readers deserve better? Of course, I don't want to imply that books should be constant excitement and intellectual discussion; realities of life should be reflected in fiction. I simply feel that more kids would be regular readers if:
- authors didn't treat YA literature as an opportunity to moralize
- there were more books with realistic, non-corny themes
- authors wrote more thought-provoking books for young readers
- authors wrote less books that lead the reader along like cattle without letting them enjoy the nuances of the written word
"Soccer star Devon never admitted to herself that she was pregnant. Now she’s in detention, facing charges of attempted murder after delivering a baby and dumping it in the trash."
Theme: Young Adults and Media
The theme for our blog is Young Adults and Media. We hope to discuss many topics involving young adults, literature, media services, security, social networking and electronic resources. We look forward to your input!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Feb. 9 2011
Sarah Schneider has made two changes to blog: First change was the Header font and color change. The second change is that I added a link to Palomar college to our page!
Do I need to send these changes to Linda Morrow's email? Does anyone know?
thanks!
Do I need to send these changes to Linda Morrow's email? Does anyone know?
thanks!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Best Selling Children's Books
Ginelle's 2nd change: I added Amazon's list of Top 40 Best Selling Children's Books.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Copyright
Leslie's 1st change to the template: I added a copyright at the bottom with all our names.
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