THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES ASSOCIATION A DIVISON OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

young adult library library servicesservices

VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 4 SUMMER 2009 ISSN 1541-4302 $12.50

INSIDE:

BANNED BOOKS WEEK STINKY FISH AND TOSSED EGGS SYMPOSIUM PAPER PRESENTATIONS AND MORE!

TM

ISSUE! TEEN READ WEEK

The official journal of The Young adulT librarY ServiceS aSSociaTion young adult library services

VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 4 SUMMER 2009 ISSN 1541-4302

The View from ALA Special Supplement 4 Banned Books Week: Celebrating Your 25 The Young Adult Literature Symposium (and Your Teens!) Freedom to Read Paper Presentations By Ken Petrilli 26 Accept the Universal Freak Show By Angie Manfredi YALSA Perspectives 32 Are You There God? It’s Me, 6 Help Shape YALSA’s Future Manga as an Extension of Young Adult By Paula Brehm-Heeger Literature 7 YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference Award By Lisa Goldstein and Molly Phelan By Geri Diorio and Christopher Shoemaker 39 , Gangs, and Books for Young 8 Fabulous Films for Young Adults Adults By Susan Wray By Stan Steiner and Ben Steiner 46 The Age of ______? Student Perspective Using Young Adult Literature to Make 9 YA Q&A Sense of the Contemporary World By Thomas Philion Expert Advice on Tough Teen Services Questions By Carlie Webber Plus: Best Practices 2 From the Editor 11 Project Morph RoseMary Honnold Bringing Fashion Rehab to Los Angeles Library Teens 3 From the President By Monique Delatte Sarah Cornish Debraski 13 Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs 23 Professional Resources Science Programming on the Cheap 50 The YALSA Update By Brannigan Cheney and Sarah Lovato 16 Easing the Pain of the Classics 52 Guidelines for Authors By Katie Porteus 52 Index to Advertisers Hot Spot: Teen Read WeekTM 53 Index to Volume 7 19 Joining Forces with Teachers for an Unreal Teen Read Week By Jennifer Maede About This Cover 21 Break Through to the Other Side Read Beyond Reality @ your libraryÒ is the official Get Adult Services Staff to Buy Into Teen Read Week By Carla Land theme for Teen Read Week. Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative of YALSA to encourage 22 Change Your Reality teens to read, just for the fun of it. Teen Read Week Teen Read Week Programs for a Better World is October 18–24. Design by Distillery Design By Elizabeth Saxton Studio. Ó 2009 American Library Association. Poster and other products available at www.alastore.ala.org or by calling 1-800-746-7252. 2008–2009 YALSA Editorial Advisory Committee (performing referee duties and providing advisory input for the journal) Sarah English, chair, Omaha, Neb.; Kimberly Bolan, Indianapolis, Ind.; Me- from the lissa Dease, Dallas, Tex.; Teri Lesesne, Huntsville, Tex.; Angela Leeper, Wake Forest, N.C.; Sarah Ludwig, New Haven, Conn.

2008–2009 YALSA Publications Committee Heather Booth, chair, Westmont, Ill.; Jeremy Czerw, ; Laura Editor Amos, Yorktown, Va.; Sasha Rae Matthews, Chesapeake, Va.; Jessica Moyer, Menomonie, Wis.; Elizabeth Shuping, Florence, S.C. Editor RoseMary Honnold RoseMary Honnold Guest Editor Tina Frolund aking the lead from this year’s Teen Read Week slogan, YALSA Executive Director Read Beyond Reality, I am indeed changing my reality this Beth Yoke Tyear. After twenty-five years in Coshocton Public Library, I YALSA Division Coordinator am retiring and taking on a new exciting challenge, editing VOYA Stephanie Kuenn magazine. I began this editorial in April, the transition month in Circulation which I transferred my library and YALSA responsibilities to Young Adult Library Services (ISSN 1541-4302) is published four times a year by the American Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL others, a very strange feeling! Luckily, I won’t have to say good bye 60611. It is the official publication of the Young Adult Library Services Asso- to my many friends and colleagues in YALSA. I plan to see as many ciation (YALSA), a division of ALA. Subscription price: members of YALSA, $25 per year, included in membership dues; nonmembers, $50 per year in the of you as possible at conferences and hear from you in e-mail at U.S.; $60 in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Back issues within one year [email protected]. of current issue, $15 each. Periodicals class postage paid at Chicago, Illinois and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to This summer issue of YALS is packed with Teen Read Week Young Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Members: ideas, program ideas, tips on reviewing books, and all those many bits Address changes and inquiries should be sent to Membership Department, Changes to Young Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL of association news and articles that make YALSA such a supportive 60611. Nonmember subscribers: Subscriptions, orders, changes of address, professional organization to those working with teens in libraries. It is and inquiries should be sent to Changes to Young Adult Library Services, Subscriptions, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press 5; the YALSA membership dedicated to sharing ideas and resources that fax: (312) 944-2641; [email protected]. makes YALS possible. YALSA has also me opportunities for Statement of Purpose meeting friends, active participation, new experiences, and networking. Young Adult Library Services is the official journal of the Young Adult YALS waspassedontoaverycapableguesteditorforashort Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. YALS primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education for time, Tina Frolund, who I had the pleasure of working with on her librarians serving young adults, ages twelve through eighteen. It will include book, The Official YALSA Awards Guidebook. YALSA has announced articles of current interest to the profession, act as a showcase for best prac- tices, provide news from related fields, publish recent research related to YA Sarah Flowers as the new YALS editor, who is now working on the fall librarianship, and will spotlight significant events of the organization and issue. You can contact Sarah through the YALS editor’s e-mail address, offer in-depth reviews of professional literature. YALS will also serve as the official record of the organization. [email protected]. Sarah will be eager to hear from you if you are Production interested in writing for YALS.AsIalwaystelllibrariansinmy Cadmus Communications workshops, share your successes! Someone else is looking for good Advertising ideas and yours might be a perfect match for what he or she needs. Bill Spilman, Innovative Media Solutions; 1-877-878-3260; fax (309) IsendabigthankyoutoStephanieKuennofYALSA!Stevie 483-2371; e-mail [email protected]. YALS accepts advertis- ing for goods or services of interest to the library profession and librarians in knows everybody and has been so helpful when I was looking for service to youth in particular. It encourages advertising that informs readers authors on specific topics or if I needed to toss around an idea. I know and provides clear communication between vendor and buyer. YALS adheres to ethical and commonly accepted advertising practices and reserves the YALS is in good hands with Sarah and Stevie steering the way. right to reject any advertisement not suited to the above purposes or not consistent with the aims and policies of ALA. Acceptance of advertising in YALS does not imply official endorsement by ALA of the products or services A Word from the Guest Editor advertised. It’s an honor to act as the bridge between RoseMary and Sarah and Manuscripts to guide this issue of YALS to you, dear readers! Manuscripts and letters pertaining to editorial content should be sent to You will find this summer issue full of tips for achieving that goal YALSA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; e-mail: yalseditor@gmail. com. Manuscripts will be sent out for review according to YALS’s established we all strive toward—getting young adults to be engaged with reading, referee procedures. Visit www.ala.org/yalsa for further information. learning, and thinking! You will definitely want to incorporate some of Indexing, Abstracting, and Microlm Ken Petrilli’s Banned Books Week suggestions into your observance Young Adult Library Services is indexed in Library Literature, Library & this year. And all of the from-the-field advice for Teen Read Week Information Science Abstracts, and Current Index to Journals in Education. Microfilm copies of Journal of Youth Services in Libraries and its predecessor, can only enhance your own programs and celebrations. Top of the News, are available from ProQuest/Bell & Howell, 300 N. Zeeb This issue can also give you a career boost. Check out Carlie Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Webber’s advice for getting a reviewing gig. For those of you wanting The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of to be involved in YALSA but unsure how to proceed, be sure to read American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992. 1 Paula Brehm-Heeger’s article about the nomination process for serving Ó2009 American Library Association on a YALSA award committee or in a YALSA office. All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scien- How many opportunities in pay you back more than you give? tific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the YALSA is definitely one of those opportunities—please join the fun. Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other photocopying, reprinting, or trans- lating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions. See you at a YALSA event! Tina Frolund

2 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Engaging the from the YALSA President Community Sarah Cornish Debraski

t’s hard to believe that I’m already discussion group (DG) or interest opportunity to writing my final column as YALSA group (IG) can have. network and Ipresident. This has been an incredible l DGs and IGs allow for grassroots socialize year for me as I’ve been at the head of participation because (1) they can be outside of the our association during a time I think has established by any group of fifteen ALA Annual been quite exciting. My first column YALSA members via a petition to the Conference. outlined my theme, “Engaging the Board and (2) the convener is elected Idis- YALSA Community.” I believe that we from among DG and IG members, covered this year yet another way YALSA have made great strides this year towards eliminating the top-down method of members are engaged. Throughout the year, engaging members more. The member committee appointments. so many members have taken the time to e- survey in the fall was useful in l Unlike committees, where a specific mail me with concerns or compliments and identifying what current members want number of members is appointed, introduce themselves to me at events. I from YALSA—more opportunities and there is no limit as to how many think this level of open, friendly, information about how to participate in members can participate in a professional communication speaks volumes YALSA, and more ways to participate DG or IG. about our association and its members. We virtually. are not a didactic hierarchy, but a group of Presently we are exploring interest As you can see, these groups will individuals who share a common desire to and discussion groups as a way to meet create many more opportunities for serve teens well and excel in young adult these needs. Committees have been participation. Given the rapidly changing librarianship. I think that bond can only be conducting evaluations to see if they would nature of teen interests and library services, strengthened as we continue to explore new function better as an interest or discussion it also makes sense to encourage groups ways to form member groups and share group. Some committees are already in the that are not designed to last forever. They resources. process of transitioning to an interest or emerge when there is an interest, and then I want to thank you for the discussion group. How can interest and when the interest or need for them fades, opportunity to serve as your president. I’ve discussion groups help engage our they dissolve. gotten to know so many more members community? Another way we are engaging the this year and see even more the enthusiasm YALSA community is through Road Trip and dedication so many of you give to this l Unlike committees, which, as per ALA ’09 (www.tinyurl.com/yalsaroadtrip). association. It has been a privilege to policy, may consist of no more than 33 Social events hosted by YALSA members observe the passion of young adult percent virtual members, there is no will be held across the country at state librarians across the entire country. With limit on how many virtual members a conferences, giving YALSA members the great sincerity, thank you! YALS

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 3 feature The View from ALA

1. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Banned Books 2. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier 3. Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes Week: Celebrating 4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman 5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Your (and Your 6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker 7. TTYL by Lauren Myracle 8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Teens!) Freedom Maya Angelou 9. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris 10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by to Read Stephen Chbosky Any of these titles look familiar? I would think so; it is safe to say that at least By Ken Petrilli seven of these books are in many YA collections across the country. For the most part, challenges to these (and many other) books are issued by parents concerned about what their children are reading. This, in and of itself, ach year for a week in September, American Booksellers Association, the is not necessarily a bad thing; we want to the eyes and ears of the library American Booksellers Foundation for see parents who are concerned! What we E world turn toward one of the Free Expression, the American Library don’t want is that concern turning to more prevalent issues that face libraries and Association (ALA), the American outright fear. As Judy Blume so eloquently librarians every day—the issue of Society of Journalists and Authors, the pointed out, intellectual freedom. This week is Banned Association of American Publishers, and Books Week, observed this year September the National Association of College “I believe that censorship grows out of 26 to October 3. Stores. fear, and because fear is contagious, some For those not familiar with this Why take the time to celebrate parents are easily swayed. Book banning event, here’s a bit of background. Banned Banned Books Week? As teen and young satisfies their need to feel in control of Books Week is observed the last week of adult librarians, we are on the front lines of their children’s lives. This fear is often September each year, and has been intellectual freedom issues more than disguised as moral outrage. They want to observed every year since 1982, after anyone else in our profession. Don’t believe believe that if their children don’t read many inside the profession noticed a me? Let’s take a look at the list of the ten about it, their children won’t know about great surge in the number of book most challenged books of 2007, according it. And if they don’t know about it, it challenges in the . The to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom won’t happen.”1 event is jointly sponsored by the (OIF): I think it is important for us to remember not to overtly demonize most KEN PETRILLI is the Teen Services Librarian at the New Rochelle potential challengers. They are, after all, Public Library in New York, as well as being a musician, notorious people just like us, and being concerned for , and pop-culture junkie. He is currently serving on our children’s well-being is never wrong. YALSA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. Lauren Myracle, an author whose books

4 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Petrilli

are frequently challenged, spoke beautifully the many resources listed elsewhere in l ALA. “Banned Books Week: about this very notion when she spoke in this article. Celebrating the Freedom to Read,” Denver this past January at the Freedom to l Hold a banned books discussion, or a www.ala.org/bbooks (April 2, 2009). Read Foundation (FTRF)’s author event. banned books reading. There are tons l BannedBooksWeek.org. She responds to every angry and outraged of lists available on the OIF’s Web site. “Banned Books Week,” www. e-mail she gets from parents, and many l Don’t forget your comic readers! The bannedbooksweek.org times finds that they are not quite as angry Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is (April 2, 2009). at her as it might, at first, seem (see link the industry’s watchdog and the site under “Resources” for the entire speech). has many examples of comics that have ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom At the same time, never forget that been challenged or banned. has lots of resources not only for Banned potential challengers are out there, and l Take some time to look at your Books Week, but all facets of intellectual some are motivated by fervent religious or library’s collection development policy. freedom: political beliefs. They are often highly Is it up to date? Are you prepared if a organized and have the time and resources challenge is issued? YALSA has l ALA. “OIF.” www.ala.org/ala/ to back their agenda. Remember that resources available if you need help. aboutala/offices/oif (April 2, having a clear and well-written collection 2009). development policy goes a long way Banned Books Week was created in large l The Comic Book Legal Defense towards deflecting most challenges. part to remind us and our patrons that Fund. “Welcome to the Comic Book books and libraries are an important part of Legal Defense Fund!” www.cbldf.org How to Celebrate our democratic society. We provide equal (April 2, 2009). Banned Books Week? access for anyone to whatever it is they are l This link will take you to Lauren looking to read; and that includes the teens Myracle’s excellent presentation we work with every day. I like to think that from Midwinter last January. l Make a display, or two or three! the last week of September is an l OIF Blog. “Lauren Myracle’s Create booklists to go with them, or opportunity to remember that what I do is Presentation at FTRF Midwinter order the ones available from ALA important, and that fighting for our Event,” www.oif.ala.org/oif/?P = 198 (along with posters and other collections and our teen patrons is a worthy (April 2, 2009). materials). Place them strategically battle. I hope you all feel the same. l YALSA’s resources on dealing with and they’ll spark discussions. And try Happy Banned Books Week! YALS challenges. to step away from the traditional l YALSA. “Dealing with Challenges banned books week oldies and goldies References to Young Adult Materials,” www. (To Kill a Mockingbird, Huck Finn, ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/ and the like) and display newer items 1. Smith, P. “Judy Blume - 1938,” profdev/yachallenges.cfm like TTYL, Perks of Being a www.ncteamericancollection.org/litmap/ (April 2, 2009). Wallflower, Harry Potter, Twilight,or blume_judy_nj.htm (March 29, 2009). l YALSA’s IFC. Looking for Alaska. l YALSA Wiki. “Censorship and l Don’t forget to promote Banned Challenges.” http://wikis.ala.org/ Books Week on your blog, MySpace, Banned Books Week yalsa/index.php/Censorship_%26_ or Facebook (Banned Books Week is Resources Challenges (April 2, 2009). on both social networking sites so be sure and friend them). Tweet about it For ideas, materials, and more, check out if you’re on Twitter. Link to some of the official Banned Books Week sites:

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 5 feature YALSA Perspective

know that you are interested in running for office. This form is Help Shape different from the committee volunteer form so if you have already submitted that one for Printz or YALSA’s Future Edwards, you would need to also submit a nomination form to be considered as a candidate to run for an By Paula Brehm-Heeger award selection committee. l Don’t be afraid to nominate yourself! As the membership gets bigger, the Nominating Committee’s job gets harder. Make their job easier by nsuring YALSA’s continued success Minimum number of candidates: 6 helping them find you! requires input from you, our talented Number elected: 3 Submitting a nomination form does E members! Standing as a candidate not guarantee that you will be a candidate for election to a YALSA office or award Michael L. Printz Award for an elected position. committee offers the chance to share your Term: one year expertise and gain valuable leadership skills. Minimum number of candidates: 8 l Before determining the final slate Self-nominations are welcome. Interested Number elected: 4 of candidates, the Nominating members should complete the online Committee evaluates each candidate nomination form at www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/ Award for Excellence in Nonfiction to determine who will be the best divs/yalsa/aboutyalsa/nominating.cfm. for Young Adults qualified for that year. Some The Nominating Committee is seeking Term: two years factors the committee considers are: member candidates for the following positions Minimum number of candidates: 8 Are you overcommitted in YALSA on the 2010 election slate: Number elected: 4 or your state associations? Do you have a good track record in your past Vice President/President-Elect Check out the awards section and view YALSA committees and task forces? Term: three years (one year President- the polices and procedures for each award to Do you need to gather more Elect, one year President, one year Past get an idea of the duties and responsibilities at experience before running for an President) www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists. office? Minimum number of candidates: 2 All elected offices require attendance l If you are not selected as a candidate, Number elected: 1 at the Midwinter Meeting and Annual you can submit a petition to add your Conference. Please know your availability name to the ballot. Board of Directors before you nominate yourself (or another) Term: three years for a YALSA office. Nominating Questions? Here’s who to contact: Minimum number of candidates: 4 Committee members are Chair Paula Number elected: 2 Brehm-Heeger, Sophie Brookover, l Nominations Chair: Paula Brehm- Molly Collins, Sharon Rawlins, and Heeger at [email protected]. Additional information about the E. M. Roublow. l Current President Elect/President/ duties and responsibilities of the President Past President: Any one of these three and Board members is available at: Tips individuals knows the process (because www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/ Let the committee know you are interested they’ve been through it) and can direct aboutyalsa/dutiesresponsibilitiesboard.cfm. in running for office. you to whom you need to contact. If you want information about a specific Margaret A. Edwards Award l Submit the online form to the office, try contacting someone holding Term: two years Nominating Committee to let them it presently. They’ll be glad to tell you what they know! PAULA BREHM-HEEGER is chair of YALSA’s Nominating l The YALSA Office will also direct Committee and was 2007–2008 YALSA President. you to whom you need to speak. YALS

6 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature YALSA Perspective

he Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Baker & YALSA’s Baker & T Taylor Conference Award Committee happily announced the two grant winners for 2009: Laurie Amster- Burton and Kate Toebbe. Each recipient Taylor Conference receives a $1,000 grant to attend the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference this summer in Chicago. The grant is awarded for Award first-time attendance at an Annual Conference. Laurie Amster-Burton, a librarian at By Geri Diorio and Washington Middle School in Seattle, Wash., was delighted to receive the award, Christopher Shoemaker and her plans for the conference include meeting school and public librarians from around the country—and perhaps a few famous authors! She is looking forward to hearing the innovative ways librarians are promoting books and teaching information President’s Program, the awards for all are due to the YALSA office by skills to teenagers. Laurie, an enthusiastic receptions, and the Coffee Klatch. Kate is December 1. fan of the Printz Award, is looking forward excited to attend the Annual Conference The YALSA Baker and Taylor to attending both the Printz Program and and connect with so many energetic Award Committee members are: Geri Reception as well as the YA Authors librarians, especially as she plans to Diorio, Chair, Ridgefield (Connecticut) Coffee Klatch. continue her involvement with YALSA. Library; Lisa Morris-Wilkey, Casa Grande, Besides checking out Chicago and its The YALSA/Baker & Taylor Ariz.; Jennifer Ralston, Harford County libraries, Kate Toebbe, a librarian at the Conference Award is given out each year Public Library, Belcamp, Md; Christopher Bond Hill Public Library, part of the to up to two recipients and funded by the Shoemaker, New York Public Library; and Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Baker & Taylor Company. YALSA Janine Waters, South Hampton Free County, wants to attend as many programs offers more than $35,000 in member Library and Huntington Valley Library, as she can; especially the YALSA awards and grants each year; applications Chalfont, Penn. YALS

GERI DIORIO is chair of YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference Award Committee; CHRISTOPHER SHOEMAKER also served on the committee.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 7 feature YALSA Perspective

whether that be voluntarily or involuntarily, and how they learn to adjust Fabulous Films for to, accept, or change how people view them and how they go about trying to fit in while trying to remain true to themselves. Being Young Adults on the outside may mean different socioeconomic standards, educational levels, intellectual abilities, sexual preferences, or other differences. By Susan Wray The Fabulous Films for Young Adults Committee has plans to present at the Annual Conference in Chicago to share clips of some of the 2009 films and to discuss the importance of a teen film collection and programming using movies. uestion: If you put several people this year, the committee created a list of We will also meet at the Annual around a table with snack food in films (formerly known as Selected DVDs Conference to begin reviewing titles already Q the middle and drinks and Videos for Young Adults) that could nominated as a group. With the broad (nonalcoholic, of course!) all be on any topic as long as they were theme, we are hoping to have many films to around, turn out the lights, and then turn released the previous year and fit the watch, consider, and discuss during the on a TV and DVD player, what do you criteria of being technically and visually year. have? Answer: The Fabulous Films for well made and of interest to young adults. Anyone may nominate a film they feel Young Adults Committee hard at work The same criteria, with the exception fits the theme between now and December creating the 2010 list of great movies for of the release date, were used when 1. To nominate or to see past lists, please teens. This will be the ten lucky and creating the first themed list. The 2009 go to www.ala.org/yalsa/fabfilms. dedicated librarians on the 2010 committee theme was “Coming of Age Around the Suggested films do not need to have been in Boston during the Midwinter Meeting World” and has sixteen titles, both fiction produced or released in a specific year, in January. In the meantime, the same and nonfiction, feature film and making this list a wonderful way to lucky librarians will be very busy at home documentary. To make the final list, a film reintroduce libraries and teens to films that watching all the films, good, bad, or needs a simple majority of the members may have been forgotten or missed the first indifferent, nominated for this year’s list. voting in favor of inclusion. Some of the time around. Films do need to be readily The name of the committee, Fabulous movies incited good discussions among available for purchase. Films for Young Adults, nicely sums up committee members, sometimes swaying We are looking forward to an exciting our purpose. The committee is charged opinions and final voting results. year with lots of movie watching and great with creating a list of good, high interest, This year the committee has chosen discussions both at the Annual Conference quality films created for or about young the theme: “Outside-In: Rebellion vs. and Midwinter Meeting. Our discussions are adults. For the 2009 list, the charge was Conformity.” We are looking for films that always open, so drop in anytime to see how new: create a list based on a theme. Prior to find young adults on the outside of society, theFabulousFilmslistiscreated. YALS

SUSAN WRAY is currently the director at the Joplin Public Library, Joplin, Missouri. She has had two incarnations as a youth services librarian and believes that is the best place to be and is the heart of the library. Susan was always a reader and joined a Teen Advisory Group as soon as she met the minimum age requirement. This volunteerism led to her first library job as a page and she’s not left libraries since.

8 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Student Perspective

onder what the experts would do? This is the place to ask YA Q&A W tough questions that library students and new librarians have about working with teens. The experts who answer are YALSA members and YALS Expert Advice on Tough readers who have learned through experience and are happy to share what they have learned with you. If you have a Teen Services Questions question for YA Q&A or would like to share what you know, e-mail [email protected]. By Carlie Webber

Q. How do I get a reviewing gig at a professional journal? l Horn Book, online at http:// l School Library Journal (SLJ), online at A: Ask! Is this answer too simple? Yes hbook.com: Runs two publications, http://schoollibraryjournal.com: and no. Not all review journals have the the Guide and the Magazine. Reviews Reviews run approximately 250 same requirements for their reviewers. You that run in the Magazine are 200-250 words. Like Kirkus, SLJ offers both may have to fill out a lengthy reviewer words and more in-depth than reviews positive and negative reviews. They application form, or a simple e-mail and a in the Guide. Like Booklist, Horn Book also have excellent coverage of writing sample may suffice. Some journals only prints positive reviews in the professional materials and graphic have in-house staff who take the Magazine and Guide. Books are vetted novels. responsibility of writing a percentage of the by staff before they are sent to journal’s reviews. The journal you apply for reviewers. may regularly take on new reviewers, but l Kirkus, online at http:// that doesn’t mean its current staff isn’t full. kirkusreviews.com: Reviews run no Q. What are the Be prepared to face rejection, but know it’s longer than 185 words, which has elements of a great not personal. Keep checking back with the garnered Kirkus a reputation for pithy, professional book journal’s review editor. honest writing. Kirkus reviews all review? To prepare for your application, try genres of fiction and nonfiction and is writing some reviews of both fiction and known for offering both positive and A: A professional book review should nonfiction works in the style of the journal negative reviews. always answer the following question: you want to write for. One size in this case l VOYA, online at http://voya.com: “Isthisbookworthbuying?”The does not fit all. If you’re interested in VOYA is best known for its Q (for answer will be different not just for writing for a journal that prints both quality) and P (for popularity) ratings, every book, but for every librarian who positive and negative reviews, write a few in which are especially helpful if you’re reads the review. It is the reviewer’s each style. How do these styles compare? looking to add certain types of job to give the purchaser enough Here’s a quick rundown of some of the materials to your collection. Reviews information about the book so the major journals that print reviews written by run 200-250 words. purchaser can take what she knows librarians: CARLIE WEBBER is a librarian, writer, speaker, and consultant who l Booklist, online at http:// booklistonline.com: This ALA reviews YA literature for VOYA and Kirkus Reviews. For more of publication prints reviews of books her advice and opinions on literature and library services, visit her they deem to be of good quality. blog, Librarilly Blonde, at http://blogs.bccls.org/carlie.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 9 YA Q&A

about her community’s reading habits l Do the dialogue, characterizations, colleagues from buying or and say yes or no. By the end of your plot, and narration work together to recommending a book to those they review, a purchaser should be able to form a whole, or, for example, does the deem not-sophisticated readers. answer the following questions: dialogue feel like it was written by a 3. For boy/girl readers. Because a person’s different writer when compared to the gender does not limit their ability to l Who is this book for? Is it for middle descriptions? read a book, neither should school, high school, both? Is it an your review suggest who should adult book with strong young adult Early in your reviewing career, it may read it. appeal? be hard to get all of this in the required 4. Every library should have this book or l What is this book about? Talk about 200-250 words, especially if you’re Everyone should read this book. There is the plot for no more than half your reviewing a literary book heavy on themes. no one book that every library should review. The other half of the review When this happens, the best thing to do is own or everyone should read. should include discussion of the book’s edit your review using the perspective of a Furthermore, it is not up to a reviewer themes, audience, and how well the buyer, not a reviewer. When describing the to dictate what libraries should buy. author conveyed his ideas to the plot, think of writing a booktalk, Instead of making blanket statements reader. something that will entice the reader. about the overall appeal, focus on the l How does this book compare to Then, follow it with notes on overall book’s themes and emphasize which others in its genre? themes and audience. If the book has ones will have special resonance with l Will this book make my collection multiple plot lines, limit yourself to a teen readers. better or more diverse? Public library sentence or two on each. 5. Readable. All books are readable, just collections need a balance of popular like all food is edible. If a book fails and literary books (not that the two because of certain aspects of the must be mutually exclusive). If the Words and Phrases writing, that is what you should book covers a topic seen in many to Avoid emphasize in your review. school curricula, make note in your review of anything that will help 1. Well-written. This phrase is essentially As with any other craft, writing not just school librarians make collection meaningless. Instead of saying “well- great but useful reviews takes a lot of trial decisions, including the author’s written,” try listing one or two phrases and error. Read all the professional reviews authority and comparisons to other that moved you, using evidence from you can get your hands on. Practice books on the same topic. When the book to show the quality of the emulating their styles in a blog or journal. reviewing nonfiction, always make writing. Persistence and developing an eye for self- note of supplements like indexes and 2. For the sophisticated reader. This editing will lead to a successful reviewing bibliographies. immediately discourages your career. YALS

10 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Best Practices

he County of Los Angeles Public Library Teen Services team went Project Morph T literal in interpreting the theme of transformation during the metamorphosis summer reading program of 2008. Capitalizing on the success of Project Bringing Fashion Rehab Runway, a Peabody Award–winning, fashion-driven show, more than thirty county libraries seized the to Los Angeles Library opportunity to create a catwalk event of their very own. Dubbed Project Morph, this program-in-a-box encouraged young Teens adults to strut their stuff in tees that they cut, ripped, then altered using fabric markers, adhesive, assorted trim, transfers, By Monique Delatte gems, and needle and thread. Teen Services Coordinator Deborah Anderson first implemented this program in 2007, at West Covina Library. “Whenever possible, programs have to be field tested gift certificates (like those given at the Oscars). Though a smaller library than West before turning them into programs-in-a- Two additional runners-up received coffee Covina, even more young adults showed up box, so that all the bugs can be worked out, shop gift cards. to cut, stitch, then paint T-shirts in an “she said.” We had a lot of fun testing This sewing extravaganza featured effort to win fashion Oscars, fashion- Project Morph twice, and we learned a lot Anderson and Regional Youth Services oriented books, cool backpacks, and a about what works and what doesn’t.” Coordinator Sandi Novoa machine-stitching variety of hip gift cards. Anderson kept the Twenty-five West Covina young adults the teens’ dream garments. Young adults sewing machine hot and advised teens on responded to flyers, signs made by volunteer lined up for her tailoring expertise. Lessons how to rehab passe garments or reinvent teens, and word-of-mouth promotion, arriving learned by the teen services team for the 2008 the shape and look of the basic tee. with siblings, parents, and dated garments in rollout include a switch from fabric paint to In the interim between these 2007 need of refurbishment. Contestants snagged fabric markers, as Novoa took a wet paint fashion events and the rollout of the summer ribbon, buttons, and other decorative notions stain while speedily constructing an award- 2008 program-in-a-box, John Kim reinvented to rehab outmoded styles. For example, an winning garment. “All in the name of fashion Project Morph at La Puente Library during aging pair of jeans that looked novel as bell- and our community teens,” laughed Novoa. the spring. Nominated twice for county teen bottoms became pedal pushers, and gems The second trial event traveled to volunteer of the year, the inventive Kim adorned seams. Participants also took nearby La Puente Library two weeks later. rethought his favorite young adult event, by advantage of the free T-shirts provided for transformation. Young adults worked steadily for one hour and fifteen minutes to complete MONIQUE DELATTE is a children’s/teen/reference services garments, then the teens and two sibling librarian with the County of Los Angeles Public Library (CoLAPL). models rocked the catwalk. A local newspaper She collaborated with Deborah Anderson to develop and photographer planted himself at the far end, implement a teen services pilot program in East Region, which led and music compiled by teen volunteer, John to a centralized CoLAPL teen services department at library Kim, blasted from a CD that included top headquarters. Delatte’s passion for fashion places her among a Project Runway competitor Santino’s runway selections. Meanwhile, the tube featured The minority of librarians with an apparel and textile design degree, a Devil Wears Prada. The top three winners background in staging runway shows, and an affection for all received kitschy-fun prizes, including a tiara, things Project Runway. Project Morph is the fierce brainchild of golden Barbies, and swag bags of books and Anderson and Delatte.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 11 Project Morph

acting as tailor for teens sewing iPod cozies selected favorite slogans, characters, and provided to help them with their projects. and filming his contribution for a high school themes that Irwin then melded to T-shirts Teens also discovered books in the library graduation capstone. Kim explains, “Crafts, at using a hot press. Next, teens cut and stitched about fashion that they may not have asked any age, are important stimuli. Plus, any designs worthy of competition with peers. for before the event.” She observed, “Since excuse for sewing is fine by me!” After an hour of sweating over the there were three awards, some of the teens popular hot press, Irwin suggests that werecompetitiveabouttheevent.”This Project Morph Arrives although his library received T-shirt design competitive environment elicited creativity samples in interoffice mail, libraries would among teens in this south region library. One During the flaming hot summer of 2008, do well to create their own example tees and model even accessorized with an anime- the four regions of the county system each practice using the design tools beforehand. inspired chapeau carved from excess jersey received the Project Morph program-in-a- Midsummer, in a community meeting fabric. Appreciating this inventive piece, box, and teen librarians implemented their room in southeast Los Angeles, Cudahy Oquendo mused, “The catwalk is a must!” In own unique version of the event. The first Library corralled nearly forty teens and a grand finale tying in to the now celebratory of these, Temple City Library, strayed tweens with parents and siblings in tow. At atmosphere, Oquendo unveiled a spectacular from their popular gaming and book club 4,400squarefeet,thelibraryissmall; surprise ice cream cake in celebration of two programs to try this more artistic fare. however, the community served is birthdays that coincided with the event. Young Adult Services Librarian Josh Irwin particularly large, as Cudahy is nestled explained, “Most of our regular among four cities that represent four of the Do It Yourself! programming slants towards boys, even most populous cities in , with more though we get a fifty-fifty ratio. It was nice than 23,000 persons per square mile.1 This Planning a mock Project Runway of your to have something that wasn’t video games community responded to the Project Morph own? The vendors utilized by Teen or nerdy board games.” invitation in droves, and throughout the two- Services included Nancy’s Notions, Home- Library Assistant Jose Parra agreed, hour T-shirt preparation time, more and Sew Inc., Dick Blick Art Materials, S&S “This represented an audience that we more locals dropped in to create and Worldwide, Crafthobbywholesale.com, usually don’t connect with because of the compete. Library Assistant Jaime Hueyopa Rhode Island Novelty, Office Depot, Inc., nature of our events.” appreciated the good fun of the program, Best Buy, and Oriental Trading Company. Irwin added, “It provided an exclaiming, “They really got into it! The Anderson explained, “We are limited to opportunity for different people to winner did an awesome drawing.” vendors that will accept purchase orders experience our programming. It let people Community Library Manager Meera Prasad from us, and these are the best companies bond and brought different cliques concurred, “This was a very successful event.” that we have found to work with in terms together. Some parents attended, so it In late summer, Leland Weaver Library, of friendliness and helpfulness.” familiarized people with what we’re doing.” located in the South Gate, a city of seven The La Puente Library MySpace Parra concurred, “It definitely was a square miles with a population of page3 provides pictures of suggested room success. We had a good turnout. About approximately 13,100 persons per square configurations for expediting participants thirty people came, so we saw a lot of new mile,2 doubled previous teen program from the hot press transfer station through faces. It’s great to see the same people, but participation statistics by attracting twenty- to the fabric markers, style inspiration it’s really great when you know you’ve five teens to the Project Morph program. books, and trim station. reached a new audience.” Young Adult Librarian Grisel Oquendo felt Irwin suggested, “I think it’s important “Also, we have Pizza and Pages, a inspired by the increased participation by that if you are doing a registration for it, boys’ book club with pizza, and we took locals, saying, “Project Morph was a definite then get a sense for what transfers people some of the Project Morph flyers to the success because we had high teen want. Print the transfers out in advance. book club,” said Irwin. participation and the teens really enjoyed Make sure that you have more than one Parra continued, “So, now there is a themselves during the program. Also, about staff person in there to run everything. We girls’ Pizza and Pages book club and it twenty to thirty percent of the teen discovered that it was nice to have three spawned from the Project Morph event.” participants in this program were teens who people, so we could rotate over the heat of During the program, Parra printed had not attended previous programs.” As the the hot press.” images onto T-shirt transfer paper using a program-in-a-box included books, Oquendo library computer, as teens suggested and mentioned, “They were using the books Project Morph continued on page 18

12 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Best Practices

ecomposing, stinky fish prominently displayed in small Stinky Fish and D jars on the circulation desk and eggs tossed from the roof aren’t exactly what you would expect to find if you dropped by the library to check your e-mail Tossed Eggs on a Wednesday afternoon. But that’s exactly what you would experience at the Ogden Valley Branch of the Weber County Library System if you happened Science Programming on upon one of our extremely popular, science-based after-school programs. Our after-school program began with the Cheap weekly activities involving booktalks, crafts, and entertainment, but we soon realized they needed more substance if they were By Brannigan Cheney and going to keep our creative teen population motivated and interested. We decided to Sarah Lovato incorporate science activities to show teens that learning can be fun and entertaining. Although we knew it would be a challenge to teach young people anything after a full day of school, not to mention the fact that our funds were limited, we felt it would be We tried to think of a small animal their aquariums each morning. Why not a worthwhile project to get our teens more that would be easy to store in the library see if a store would donate some of these involved at the library. and wouldn’t upset the kids as they fish for science? Luckily, the local Wal- What we experienced was even better watched it decompose. Of course kittens, Mart was willing to help. than any of us imagined. Our after-school puppies, and birds were out of the question. Next, we asked staff members to bring program transformed into a successful Then, we realized pet stores around the in empty baby food jars. We bought a food blend of science, art, and reading. We’d like country have to clean dead goldfish from scale to weigh the fish as they decomposed to share a few things you can do with a small (or nonexistent) budget and a little creativity. BRANNIGAN CHENEY received his Masters of Library and Stinky Fish Information Science from the University of Wisconsin and is How did we come up with the idea to have currently employed with the Weber County Library System in a bunch of fish slowly rotting around the Utah. He has actively spent the last four years working with teens library in the name of science? It all started in both educational programming as well as codeveloping the when our property manager was telling us library’s gaming programs. He can also make a mean Popsicle about a dead skunk he found behind the stick trebuchet. library. We asked him what he did with it, SARAH LOVATO is a Youth Services Librarian with the Weber and jokingly we told him we should have County Library System in Ogden, Utah. She received her Masters kept it to teach the after-school kids about of Information Science from the University of North Texas. Sarah decomposition. From there, the idea began to percolate until we thought of a way to has been developing and implementing public programming for six do the same thing without stashing roadkill years. Currently she is creating and expanding technology based behind the circulation desk. science and gaming programs for children and teens.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 13 Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs

to record the decrease in weight. We also at and record the progress, or lack of staff were set abuzz. We knew one made (rather than purchased) small progress, for each fish. At the end of the program had to be presented—the notepads for the teens to use to take notes school year, we completed the program, Rooftop Egg Drop. With fond memories and write their hypotheses about what they reviewing the results of our experiment. from our own childhood experiences expected to happen throughout the constructing containers to protect an egg process. The teens were then asked to Experiment Results from a two-story drop, we knew the hypothesize which fish would decompose l The control fish decomposed, but not Rooftop Egg Drop Contest would be an the fastest and the slowest, with prizes as fast as if the air holes had been large effective and fun way to teach teens about awarded for the closest predictions. enough to allow flies in. physics and engineering. l The buried fish was completely gone. Facing the usual end-of-year budget The Experiment We don’t know if this was due to a drain, we also knew we could conduct this Six fish were placed in different scavenger or complete decomposition. program for just a few dollars and use environments and their decomposition was l The water fish was decomposed to an materials that were already a part of our measured. almost fluid state except for the bones craft supplies. The contest began with a and skull. short briefing on physics and engineering l One fish, as our control, was placed in l The ice fish was mummified. principles, such as speed, gravity, impact, a jar with air holes in the lid and l The hot, dry fish was also mummified. shock absorption, and force. Contestants stored at room temperature. l The pickle-juice fish was pickled. were asked to consider types of container l One fish was put in a jar with no lid designs that would slow the speed of and buried outside at a marked The program was a success, and the teens descent and create enough shock absorption location. really enjoyed themselves. But of course, to prevent eggs from cracking or breaking l One fish was placed in a jar filled with there are things we would change in the after being tossed from the library roof. water at room temperature. future. First, we would obtain larger fish. Contestants were given lidded l One fish was placed in a jar, then The teens greatly enjoyed watching the fish container options of different shapes and covered in ice. decompose so observing larger fish go sizes. They were then presented with a l One fish was placed in a jar with no through the process would be even more variety of construction and packing lid, then put in a hot, dry location. interesting. We also discovered our scale materials, such as yarn, tape, bubble wrap, l One fish was placed in a jar containing wasn’t high-tech enough to measure the Styrofoam, cotton balls, plastic grocery a material of the teens’ choosing small differences in weight. With bigger bags, shredded paper, and rubber bands. (pickle juice), then stored at room fish we may have been able to record the They were then given thirty minutes to temperature. differences; however, it was not essential construct their egg containers, using the for the experiment. available materials. Due to the nature of decomposition, Once completed, an acrophobia-free we knew this was going to be a long-term Materials Needed and Cost staff member climbed to the library roof, program. We began the project at the Dead goldfish: $0, donated from pet store approximately twenty-five feet high, and beginning of the school year. During the Baby food jars: $0, donated from staff tossed each container off. (Absolutely no first program, we discussed decomposition, Small notebooks: $0, recycled paper from participants are permitted on the library how specific conditions affect the process, library roof. Extreme caution and appropriate and why it is essential for the environment. Food scale: $10, optional safety measures should be taken to ensure We talked about animal life cycles, Liquids: $0, from staff refrigerator the safety of the staff member and the specifically how the death of one animal Prizes: $0, from an existing prize bin contestants below.) Upon impact, can support the life of another. We also Grand total: $10 contestants examined their eggs. Those talked about the importance of recycling, that were still intact advanced to the next and why some materials decompose Tossed Eggs round of tosses. In the end, only one egg differently than others. remained unblemished. The winner was We left the fish alone for about seven When we were asked to direct the after- crowned and participants gathered for a months to do their thing. Every week, school program toward science-based discussion of effective and ineffective before each program, the teens would look activities, the physics-geek antennas of the designs.

14 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Cheney and Lovato

In 2008, the winner chose a Pringles Prizes: $0, “After-School Dollars” to be behind effective construction, visit a few of container. She created a parachute with a spent during quarterly auctions the Web sites we consulted to create our grocery bag to slow its descent and packed Grand total: $8.25 contest. the egg near the top to create maximum In 2009, we will host the third annual shock absorption. Though only one winner Rooftop Egg Drop Contest. We have 1. Houghton Mifflin. “Project 3: The was crowned, each contestant enjoyed learned a few things along the way. The Egg-Drop Experiment: A Hands-On designing containers and seeing them splat 2009 contest will encourage participants to Investigative Activity,” http:// against the concrete. Most teens didn’t even bring their own containers and packing college.cengage.com/education/pbl/ realize they were learning about science materials from home, allowing contestants project/project3.html (accessed Feb. because they were too busy having fun! to evaluate a much larger array of material 21, 2009). options. Also, building and packing 2. NASA. “Spacecraft Design and Materials Needed and Cost materials provided by the library will be Testing,” http://stardust.jpl Three dozen eggs: $8.25 parceled out equally to discourage hoarding .nasa.gov/classroom/activities/ A variety of lidded containers: $0, donated and ensure equality of construction 5-stardst-ch04.pdf (Feb. 21, from staff options. 2009). Plastic grocery bags: $0, donated from staff 3. Winston-Salem Forsyth County. A variety of packing and cushioning Resources “Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Egg materials: $0, donated from staff Drop Competition,” A variety of construction materials: $0, For more information about conducting a www.wsfceggdrop.com/index.htm existing craft supplies Rooftop Egg Drop Contest and the science (Feb. 21, 2009). YALS

Saturday Night Dirt, returns with hopes to move beyond “Trace Bonham, last seen in his local rural Minnesota race-car track . . . Weaver offers outstanding.” —Booklist descriptions WILL WEAVER of the races, putting readers in the center of the action “The novel is likely to appeal to youngsters who normally shy away from fiction.” —School Library Journal

“Weaver draws from his auto-racing experience . . . sharpto bring dialogue to life the and small-town, dirt-track racing world. Racing action, solid characterization make this a good bet for young sports fans.” —Kirkus Reviews* $14.95 / 978-0-374-35061-1 / Ages 12 up

AN ALA QUICK PICK FOR YOUNG ADULTS Now available in paperback from Square Fish kkk"Zg[_]XgVcc_g"Wca $7.99 / 978-0-312-56131-4 / Ages 12 up

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 15 feature Best Practices

l Novels serving as prequels or sequels to classics; Easing the Pain of l Time-travel novels, in which a character finds him or her self in a classic setting; and the Classics l Companion novels that serve to enrich the lessons of the classic.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a By Katie Porteus staple of most high school curricula. It tells the story of teenage boys suddenly in a world without adults. Similarly, in Gone by Michael Grant, everyone over the age of fifteen ewwordsstrikemorefearinthe one can argue that they teach a certain suddenly and inexplicably disappears. Set in a hearts and minds of high school discipline in reading, which helps to prepare modern beach town in California, the first F students than the English teacher’s high school students for the more rigorous act of rebellion is fifth graders breaking into announcement, “We will be reading a reading they will face in college. Students the candy machine. Still, as the main classic.” Truth be told, as an English teacher, will expand their vocabulary and gain character Sam observes, “This school was IdreadedThe Scarlet Letter and Silas Marner cultural literacy by recognizing the relevancy dangerous now. Scared people did scary as much as the students, not because I didn’t of quotes such as “It was the best of times; it things sometimes, even kids. ...Fear could be recognize these works as fine and deserving was the worst of times” from Tale of Two dangerous. Fear could get people hurt. And literature, but because I knew that I would be Cities. Finally, educators and administrators there was nothing but fear running crazy pulling metaphorical teeth trying to get my feel obligated to keep the classics on the throughtheschool.”(Grant,p.11).Like students to read them. As a school librarian syllabus of honors and Advanced Placement Ralph in Lord of the Flies,theprotagonist and keeper of the school’s laptops, I observe (AP) English classes. So how do we, as Sam is a sensible and resourceful young man, the constant use of Sparknotes with empathy librarians, soften that blow? How can we thrown into a position of responsibility and for the struggling readers. As Don Gallo ease the pain? How can we help to make a facing opposition from the Jack-like bully, points out, “The classics are not about connection between a one-hundred-year-old referred to as Caine and his sadistic Roger- teenage concerns! They are about adult novel and a sixteen-year-old student? like henchman, Drake. He is witness to the issues. Moreover, they were written for One solution is the pairing of a classic power struggles and brutality illustrated in educated adults who had the leisure and time with a young adult (YA) novel. Recently, a Lord of the Flies.LikeRalph,hemustremain to read them. They were incidentally, written plethora of quality YA novels the voice of calm reason amid the rampant to be enjoyed – not dissected, not analyzed, complementing classic novels have been cruelty of his youthful companions. and certainly not tested.” (Gallo, p. 34) published. These fall into five general Ringside 1925: Views from the Scopes But what do educators do? We categories: Monkey Trial by Jen Bryant takes the discuss, quiz, and test the books to death, perspective of the residents of Dayton, as the students’ eyes glaze over and they l Novels with an alternate or modern Tennessee, with particular focus on the recall just enough to pass the test. setting; students of Rhea County High School as the Yet the classics are with us and will l Novels with an alternate narrator or trials portrayed in the play Inherit the Wind certainly remain with us for some time. No point of view; by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee begin. Written in the free verse so favored by KATIE PORTEUS spent fourteen years as a high school English and today’s teens, alternating narrators tell the reading teacher before earning her MLS from Kent State University. story of the teacher who dared to break the brand new Butler Act, a Tennessee law She is currently employed as the district librarian in Cardington, making it illegal to teach evolution in the Ohio, serving a combined junior/senior high school library. This is her science class. The novel depicts the eighth year as a librarian. She is the proud sponsor of a high school atmosphere of a small Southern town in book club with approximately twenty members. 1925, as well as examining the various

16 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Porteus

motives of those who chose to prosecute Mr. characterization of the play’s minor characters Whitman’s deeper meanings, are clarified Scopes. The students are perplexed by the adds insight to the classic tragedy. as the story progresses. A most challenging arrest of their favorite teacher and unable to The most numerous categories for YA piece of nineteenth century poetry is grasp how his teaching is in opposition to the pairings with classic literature are the broken down and analyzed in a most Bible. Peter Sykes, a student with a deep love companion stories, which refer to a classic intriguing manner, as a compelling story of of science says, “Our state lawmakers passed novel as a part of its own story. John adolescence is told. the Butler Act because they think science will Greene’s Paper Towns uses Walt These are just a few of the many YA poison our minds. Well, I don’t feel Whitman’s Leaves of Grass as a series of novels that may be connected with classic poisoned. I still believe in the divine. Why clues, left to the young protagonist literature, with the keyword here being should a bigger mind need a smaller God?” Quentin (also known as “Q”), by his connected. The problem with most classics (Bryant, p. 11). Wouldn’t it be fascinating to mysterious neighbor and lifelong crush, is that students find it difficult, if not take the topic a step further with an Margo. Margo’s disappearances, as well as impossible, to connect with the obsolete examination of events surrounding a certain science teacher in Mount Vernon, Ohio? Finn by Jon Clinch tells the story of Huckleberry Finn’s father, “a worthless old Modern Novels Paired with Classics drunk” (Clinch, p. 4) before the onset of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Novels that reset classics to other time periods Mark Twain. Though not necessarily Jake, Reinvented by Gordan Korman paired with The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald marketed as a YA novel, Finn provides a Clay by David Almond with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley back story for Twain’s original novel, with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins with The Lottery by Shirley Jackson language that older teens will find more Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper with Shakespeare’s and accessible than Twain’s dialect. Pap’s racism and brutality, the atmosphere of life Novels with alternate points of view of a classic on the river, and some mysteries of Huck’s Dating Hamlet: Ophelia’s Story by Lisa Fiedler with Shakespeare’s Hamlet family are all examined by Clinch. This is Ophelia by Lisa Klein with Shakespeare’s Hamlet most certainly a novel for older teen Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney with Shakespeare’s Macbeth readers, although Twain’s complex original is generally assigned in a junior or senior Novels as prequels AP class and not to younger readers. Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J. V. Hart and Peter and the Does anyone get through high school Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson with Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. without by ? Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors Sequels to classic literature opens with Mimi, a young actress forced to Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, which tells of the further adventures of play the role of Juliet with the very self- Cinderella absorbed teen idol Troy Summers as Romeo. Bloodline and Bloodline: the Reckoning by Kate Cary with Dracula by Bram Stoker Naturally, they hate each other and Juliet is further distressed by her pushy stage mother’s Time travel novels refusal to allow her to pursue her own dreams A Tale of Time City or The Merlin Conspiracy, both by Diane Wynne Jones, with A Once of college and medical school. Transported and Future King by E. B. White or any Arthurian reading back to sixteenth century Verona, Mimi encounters the real , Companion pieces realizing Juliet’s mother has much in common Hunchback by Randall Wright with Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo with her own. As Juliet is being forced to In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth with To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee marry Paris to pay off some family debts, Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman with Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Mimi is expected to perform to save the The Minister’s Daughter with The Crucible by Arthur Miller family theater. The background knowledge of King Dork by Frank Portman with Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. life in Elizabethan times as well as the

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 17 Easing the Pain of the Classics

characters. Perhaps these YA novels, with Ellsworth, Loretta. In Search of Mockingbird. Klein, Lisa. Ophelia. 1st. New York: contemporary teens, dealing with familiar 1st. New York: Henry Holt, 2007. Bloomsberry Children’s Books, 2006. issues, can serve to establish a connection, Fiedler, Lisa. Dating Hamlet. 1st. New York: Korman, Gordan. Jake, Reinvented. 1st. New to create some empathy for the characters, Holt, 2002. York: Hyperion, 2003. and finally to ease the pain of the Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. trade Lawrence, Jerome and Robert E. Lee. Inherit the classics. YALS pbk. ed. New York: Scribner, 2004. Wind. trade pbk. ed. New York: Gallo, Donald R. “How Classics Create an Alliterate Ballantine Books, 2007. Works Cited Society.” English Journal. January (2001): 33-39. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. trade pbk. Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. 5th. New ed. New York: Warner Books, 1982. Almond, David. Clay. 3rd. New York: York: Perigree, 1954. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2006. Grant, Michael. Gone. 1st. New York: Harper Penguin Books, 2003. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Knopf, Teen, 2008. Portman, Frank. King Dork. 1st. New York: 1991. Greene, John. Paper Towns. 1st. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2006. Barry, Dave and Ridley Pearson. Peter and the Dutton Books, 2008. Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. mass mkt Starcatchers. 1st. New York: Hyperion, 2004. Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Just Ella. 1st. New pbk ed. New York: Little, Brown, 1991. Bryant, Jen. Ringside 1925: Views from the York: Simon and Schuster Books for Selfors, Suzanne. Saving Juliet. 1st. New York: Scopes Monkey Trials. 1st. New York: Young People, 1999. Walker and Co, 2008. Random House Children’s Books, 2008. Hart, James V. Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. Cary, Kate. Bloodline. 1st. London: Razorbill, 2005. Notorious Youth. 1st. New York: Laura London: Sterling Publishing Company, Cary, Kate. Bloodline: Reckoning. 1st. London: Geringer Books, 2005. 2007. Razorbill, 2007. Hearn, Julie. The Minister’s Daughter. 1st. New Shulman, Polly. Enthusiasm. 1st. New York: G. Clinch, Jon. Finn. 1st. New York: Random York: Simon Pulse, 2005. P. Putman’s Sons, 2006. House Trade Paperbacks, 2007. Hugo, Victor. The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. trade pbk. ed. New Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. 1st. New New York: Bantam Books, 1984. York: Back Bay Books, 2005. York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. New York: Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Cooney, Caroline B. Enter Three Witches. 1st. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1982. Finn. trade pbk. ed. New York: Sterling New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. Jones, Diana Wynne. The Merlin Conspiracy. Publishing Company, 2006. Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. New 1st. New York: Greenwillow Books, White, E. B. The Once and Future King. Ace ed. York: Penguin Books, 2003. 2003. London: Ace Books, 1987. Draper, Sharon M. Romiette and Julio. 1st. New Jones, Diana Wynne. A Tale of Time City. 1st. Wright, Randall. Hunchback. 1st. New York: York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2001. New York: Harper Trophy, 2001. Henry Holt, 2004.

Project Morph continued from page 12

“The room should be set up a adults of the Project Runway catch Estimates, 2000 Census of Population and couple of hours in advance so nothing is phrase, “Make it work!” YALS Housing, 1990 Census of Population and overlooked,” recommended Oquendo. Housing, Small Area Income and Poverty Even three-hour Project Morph events References Estimates, County Business Patterns, 2002 at La Puente Library did not provide Economic Census, Minority- and Women- enough time according to comment 1. Hugo Martin (1999, December 19). Owned Business, Building Permits, forms, so Young adult librarians should Housing Strained at Seams in Parts of L.A. Consolidated Federal Funds Report, prepare for concern from participants County; Living: Low- income families feel Census of Governments. Last Revised: that no amount of time is sufficient. the pinch of high rents, overcrowded homes. Friday, 25-Jul-2008 15:41:18 EDT. http:// Hueyopa notes that the two hours of Cities struggle to provide services: [Home quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/ garment creation time seemed to fly, Edition]. Los Angeles Times, p. A, 1:1. 0640340.html (accessed Feb. 22, 2009). “We really could have used more time!” 2. U.S. Census Bureau: State and County 3. La Puente Library. www.MySpace.com/ When time runs short, remind young QuickFacts. Data derived from Population LaPuenteLibrary (accessed Feb. 22, 2009).

18 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Hot Spot: Teen Read WeekTM

aving worked on both sides of the circulation desk—as a classroom Joining Forces with Hteacher and a school librarian—it is easy to understand the challenges and rewards of teacher-librarian collaboration on Teen Read Week. Unfortunately, as Teachers for an much as both teachers and school librarians might want to collaborate, it is often easier said than done. Scheduling problems, heavy workloads, and just plain lack of time Unreal Teen Read frequently hamper good intentions. Although every school and library program is unique, with a little advanced planning Week and creative use of resources, teachers and librarians can join forces for a Teen Read Week that is out of this world. By Jennifer Maede Getting Started Getting off on the right foot can set the stage for a fun and beneficial Teen Read Week experience for the entire school up and an opportunity to incorporate quick workshop. Check with your community. Here are a few suggestions for them into their own classroom principal to see if this could be done getting Teen Read Week kicked off right: activities. This calendar could be made for inservice credit. available to teachers through e-mail, l Like librarians, teachers’ calendars fill flyers, or the library Web site. Be sure Get Help up quickly with responsibilities and to use the method that is most activities. At the same time, many preferred by your teachers! Planning and carrying out events and schools are being asked to do more l If Teen Read Week is the major activities for Teen Read Week doesn’t with less, particularly given the current library event for the school year, or if it have to be a solitary task. Enlist teachers economy. This means that most is a new event for the school, holding a and other school personnel to share their school personnel are being asked to brief drop-in open house with Teen own talents by using some the following take on increasing responsibilities in Read Week information, and maybe ideas: addition to those in the classroom or snacks, might be a good breather for library. Let teachers know early when teachers during preservice days, or l One of the simplest ways to Teen Read Week will take place so it even after the school year has begun. collaborate with teachers on Teen won’t get squeezed out of their l Make use of social networking sites Read Week is to ask them how Teen calendars. such as Facebook to create a presence Read Week might best fit in with the l Let teachers know as much as possible for and share information about Teen curriculum and their own plans. This about Teen Read Week activities early Read Week. If your teachers are not can be done through casual in the school year. Provide them with particularly familiar with such sites, conversation, e-mail, or even a wiki or a calendar and explanations of planned create an online tutorial or plan a chat room. Use their input to help activities to let teachers know what to expect. A good time to do this might be during preservice days prior to the start of the new school year. JENNIFER MAEDE is currently a 7th and 8th grade Language Arts l Creating a calendar of all library teacher at Holston Middle School in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has program events gives teachers a heads- also worked as a middle school librarian.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 19 Joining Forces with Teachers for an Unreal Teen Read Week

develop and schedule Teen Read board of teachers’ favorite books will allow teachers time to fit new Week events. related to the theme could be created activities into their schedules. l One of the best and most personal in the library or in another common ways to get teachers involved with the area of the school, such as the cafeteria Wrapping Up library program in general is to get to or in a hallway. know their own reading interests. Once this year’s Teen Read Week is Knowing your teachers as people can Making the Connection wrapped up, you should be enjoying the help you to suggest ways in which they rewards of a great school community might be able to help you with Teen Linking Teen Read Week activities and experience. This is also a great time to Read Week or other library activities, events to the curriculum is a great way to use the suggestions below to set a such as serving on a Teen Read Week collaborate with teachers. Use or adapt foundation for next year’s Teen Read committee or supervising a Teen Read some of the following suggestions to Week. Week event. integrate Teen Read Week into the l If students are not already scheduled curriculum in all subject areas: l Say thank you! Everyone enjoys being for regular library visits, offer to come appreciated. Be sure to thank all of to classrooms or have students come l Find out how the curriculum at each those faculty and staff members who to the library for a class period prior to grade level and within each subject help to make Teen Read Week a Teen Read Week to discuss what is might fit with the Teen Read Week success in your school. coming, and then for activities during theme. Teachers may already be using l Ask for feedback! Getting feedback Teen Read Week. Teachers would novels and other materials that fit well both formally and informally from surely appreciate having a few extra with the theme. Ask around to see if faculty and staff members can help minutes to themselves during the you can get this information from school librarians to better understand school day. department leaders or individual what works and does not work in their l Ask for teachers to nominate students teachers. particular school during Teen Read to serve on a Teen Read Week l Make sure to check with teachers of all Week. Feedback can be gathered committee. A student committee can subjects, not just reading or language through pencil and paper surveys, in be responsible for tasks that teachers arts teachers. Social studies, science, or casual conversation, and through themselves might not have time to fine arts teachers may be able to fit the e-mail. complete, such as keeping track of a Teen Read Week themes into their class reading log or making activities in unique and unexpected Obviously, there are many different announcements about Teen Read ways that would be appealing to ways that school librarians can work with Week activities. students. Enlisting the involvement of teachers to make any Teen Read Week l Find ways to reward teachers, too. For teachers outside the reading subject successful. Choosing those strategies and example, if classrooms are competing area is also a great way to show ideas that are the best fit for each unique in a reading challenge for the week, students that reading is valued in all school environment and planning carefully find a way to reward not only the academic areas. can only help when attempting to increase students in the winning class, but the l Provide teachers with ideas for how opportunities for collaboration. But most teacher as well. the Teen Read Week theme or importantly, enjoy the opportunity to work l Ask teachers to share information activities could be used in their together within the school community to about their own reading habits and individual classrooms. Once again, create an “unreal” Teen Read Week preferences. For example, a bulletin providing such a list early in the year experience for your students. YALS

20 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Hot Spot: Teen Read WeekTM

s Teen Read Week approaches, it’s time to start planning activities that Break Through to Awill get teens involved in reading. For many school librarians this means working with principals to get school-wide programs going, working the theme into the Other Side the school curriculum, or even getting student aides to do something other than check books out to other students. Many public librarians work with school Get Adult Services Staff to librarians to hold awesome Teen Read Week programs, or do their own programming to promote teen reading. But Buy Into Teen Read Week for some public librarians, Teen Read Week can mean something else all together. By Carla Land As many public librarians know it can be difficult to get a teen program going in a library branch. Money spent on teen programs is often scrutinized (“You spent how much for only nine attendees?”) Inevitably there is a staff member that your teens wow the adult staff with their titles for teens who are ready to move on writes it off entirely (“We don’t want maturity. from young adult collections. teenagers in the library!”) So often there is This year’s Teen Read Week theme is Don’t get discouraged if you run into an invisible wall between the youth and Read Beyond Reality @ your library. roadblocks or don’t get the outpouring of adult services departments—crossover Science fiction and fantasy are incredibly support you were hoping for. It may take programming is rare, and in some libraries, popular genres for all ages, and most library some time to convince the other side that isn’t even encouraged. staffs have at least one or two voracious sci- library services to teens are a good thing Teen Read Week is an opportunity fi-fantasy readers on them. Asking these and some staff may never be convinced. for us to change this! It’s a chance to get people to compile a list of favorites that Using Teen Read Week to try and break these two sides of the library working would be good for teens is a great way to the barrier can be effective if done in together to create something that your teen introduce them to reader’s service for teens. nonintrusive ways, though, and it could patrons will remember, even if it’s just that It’s also great to have a list handy for other open the doors for other shared programs the library staff was pretty cool. staff needing a little help in finding adult and ideas in the future. YALS The easiest place to start is introducing your adult services staff to the Alex Awards. The Alex Awards are given CARLA LAND is the YPL/Children’s Services Department Head for annually by YALSA to adult books that the Summerlin Library in the Las Vegas-Clark County (Nevada) appeal to young adults. A current list of Library District. She is a member of the Teen Read Week winners can be found on YALSA’s awards Committee and is one of YALSA’s sponsored Emerging Leaders for page (http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/ 2009. Carla is also the Senior Editor and one of the cofounders of alex). Talk with adult services staff about Anime for Libraries (www.animeforlibraries.com), an anime doing a book display using these titles, or a book discussion group that is either geared review Web site created for librarians by librarians who love for or can include teens. Offer to help in anime. When not watching anime Carla can be found tweeting on any way you can to promote and plan the Twitter as AnimeGoddess and playing Peggle or Rock Band 2 on event or to curb unruly behavior and let the Xbox 360 as BookDiva.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 21 feature Hot Spot: Teen Read WeekTM

l Hold a panel for teens and their parents about options after high school Change Your Reality including traditional colleges, vocational schools, community colleges, and programs like AmeriCorps. Teen Read Week Programs l Have an informal debate with your teens on a serious issue like school dress codes or gender equality, or a fun for a Better World issue like Facebook versus MySpace. l Sponsor a contest asking teens to write about their vision for the future, how they will make a difference with their By Elizabeth Saxton lives, or people who they admire. l Partner with a seniors’ residence or pediatric hospital and have teens create holiday decorations for their institution and residents. l Let teens help those in need by any teens are more interested in Ideas for Change Your organizing a food or clothing drive in the world around them than Reality Programs the community. Mother worlds. Engage them in l Work with your local government to Teen Read Week 2009 by offering l If your library doesn’t already have a have teens clean up a park or other programs focused on improving their real teen advisory group, use Teen Read public space. world and changing their reality. When Week to give teens a voice by starting l Hold a blogging or podcasting workshop planning your Teen Read Week activities one. to help teens speak their mind. think of ways that teens can change reality l Involve the whole community by l Create a program to train teens to read to for the better on the global, local, and asking them to nominate teens who or with younger children in the library. personal level. are making a difference in your area l Host a volunteer fair at the library by Explore changing reality on a global for an annual library-sponsored award. inviting representatives from local scale through programs focusing on the l Have teens use the resources in your organizations that accept teen volunteers. environment or social justice issues that collection to create an informative l Invite an expert in the field to hold a are important to your teens. Programs in bulletin board or write an article for financial literacy workshop for teens. your community might focus on activities the library newsletter on a topic l Host a chef or nutritionist to teach that give teens a larger voice, help people important to them, such as the teens about healthy food and basic or animals in need, or make public spaces environment or education. cooking skills. more inviting. Finally, on a personal level, l Educate teens about plastic bags and l Hold a book discussion group around programs on this topic might involve have a craft program to decorate an inspirational book such as The Pact thinking seriously about their future, reusable canvas bags to use instead. or Three Cups of Tea. expressing their opinions, or providing l Have teens write and record video l Offer a simple goal-setting exercise like life skills instruction on topics like public service announcements for the having teens write a letter to themselves cooking or finance. library or a community partner. in ten years describing what they hope their life would be like. l Show a movie or documentary about a person who successfully changed their reality. ELIZABETH SAXTON is the Teen Coordinator at Cleveland Public l Sponsor a resume and interview Library. She is currently a member of the Teen Read Week workshop for teens looking for Committee and chair of Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults. employment. YALS

22 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 YALS Professional Resources

Cable in the Classroom. Online: www.ciconline.org/home Crane, Beverley E. Using Web 2.0 Tools in the K-12 (April 11, 2009) Classroom. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2009; ISBN-13: 978-1555706531; 189p; $59.95. The Cable in the Classroom (CIC) staff work closely with the cable industry to provide students with experiences that tie in cable Over the past five years, the Internet has evolved from a vast content with curriculum, as a means of enhancing learning and depository of information managed by the tech-savvy into a promoting effective use of media. Included on the site are sections communication network of contributors with little to no for teachers, parents, administrators, and cable partners. For technological expertise. Thanks to Web 2.0 tools, anyone can add classroom use and ideas, click on Cable Resources for Learning. material to the Net in a variety of creative and successful ways. There is a monthly calendar for recording programs, online video Crane, who holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with clips, TV listings, and copyright and recording guidelines. You can emphases in Language Arts and Educational Technology, has also sign up for e-newsletters that will fill you in on upcoming video over ten years of experience educating librarians and teachers on and online resources. the use of technology in the classroom; the ease with which she Some of the most impressive features are the online video and organizes and details the information she shares in this title is a podcast clips. These can be downloaded and used in the classroom testament to her expertise in the field. Each chapter carefully to enhance instruction. The topics covered include science, history, examines one of seven tools by way of definition and literature, the arts, food, and government among others. I characteristics, implications and benefits for education, examples remember looking at this site years ago and was greatly impressed from actual classroom use in different situations, and practical by its improved format, ease of use, and content. CIC was a recent steps on getting started. Objectives for each chapter are clear and winner of the 2008 Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards. —Joann upfront, as is a glossary to help those of us who are not yet Absi, Media Coordinator, Ashley High School, Wilmington, N.C. familiar with the discourse of the 2.0 world. Crane covers blogs, podcasts, wikis, digital storytelling, Google Tools, social bookmarking, and Voice Thread, complete with screen shots of Carpan, Carolyn. Sisters, Schoolgirls, and Sleuths: Girls’ each tool in action; project plans and activities; Web sites for Series Books in America. The Scarecrow Press Inc., 2009; examples and assistance; and further reading and references. ISBN-13: 978-0-8108-5756-8; 165p; $35. Crane refers to her educational blog in the text, but it is not “updated weekly” as the appendix claims. Hopefully reader I was convinced that I could grow up to be Nancy Drew. My response will prompt her with material to keep her online friends and I exchanged books with each other and created a small resource growing. —Kerry Sutherland, Akron-Summit County library in someone’s garage. As a preadolescent, I became convinced (Ohio) Public Library. that I would someday toss my copper curls and Ned and the roadster would appear. It seems I was not unique. Carolyn Carpan’s Sisters, Schoolgirls, and Sleuths: Girls Series Books in Jones, Ella W. Start to Finish YA Programs: Hip-Hop America has exposed the reality and appeal of formula fiction. Symposiums, Summer Reading Programs, Virtual Tours, Beginning in the nineteenth century, series books have served as Poetry Slams, Teen Advisory Boards, Term Paper Clinics, guides for girls’ ideals. From the virtuous Victorians to feminism— and More! New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2009; even today’s “mean” girls—characters have represented privileged ISBN: 9781555706012; 217p; $75.00. and independent young women in social history. Clearly, these books are not in-depth literature. Instead, they have charmed and Start to Finish YA Programs is the kind of teen programming guide encouraged girls to read for enjoyment. Today’s women book club we’ve been waiting for: not only does it provide great ideas and members theoretically began as series readers. Series fiction has suggestions, but follows through with step-by-step instructions on contributed to girls’ reading for generations. Carpan chronicles the how to make them a reality. This well-organized book contains history of this genre in a highly readable narrative. It is also a twenty-five ready-made library programs for teens, from an author unique reference source. Students of history, literature, and gender who is an accomplished, field-tested young adult (YA) librarian. studies will find it informative and enlightening. —Patty Sands, The programs are categorized into five sections: workshops, music Librarian, Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego, Ore. concerts and series, training sessions, events to take place outside

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 23 Professional Resources

the library, and radically new “outside the box” programs. Goals for each program are listed and backed up by references to specific World Book Living Green Series. Chicago: World Book, Developmental Assets from the Search Institute. Programs range 2009; ISBN: 978-0-7166-1400-5; $279.00; 9 volume set. from one-shot events like the DJ Workshop to year-long library card campaigns. This new resource from a trusted and recognizable publisher on Sample press releases and marketing strategies will help a very timely and popular topic includes nine volumes of “green” librarians who struggle to successfully promote their events. A information that is sure to be a hit with students and teachers CD is included that contains customizable Microsoft Word alike. With easy to understand text and formatting, each volume templates and PowerPoint training sessions. For example, the has a different focus, covering topics that have more personal Library Idol competition chapter comes with samples for every coverage such as the two on consumable and durable goods as necessary form imaginable: rules, tickets, registration forms, well as those that reach more globally, like forests and wetlands, flyers, Web site post, press release, sign-in sheet, performance green buildings, and pollution. Whereas the slim volumes could roster, rating forms, letters to the winners, ballots, and probably be easily condensed into one covering all topics certificates of recognition. The design quality and teen appeal of together, the multiple-volume set is most appealing when many of the promotional “rave cards” and flyers are somewhat considering it for a circulating collection so that it reaches more lacking, but they contain all the necessary information and students. And students will appreciate that they can easily esthetic changes would be easy to make. Some of the program research their chosen topic in a nonthreatening manner. The titles themselves are also on the boring side, but this can easily volumes have a consistent and visually engaging format, with be rectified by a hip librarian who knows what would appeal to each containing section summaries, eye-catching headings, those teens in his or her community. “green” facts in appropriately green shaded text boxes, and One of the most useful features for each event is the in-depth highlighted “closer looks.” The information is peppered with book list. These are great current books to put on display during bolded words that are included in glossaries in each volume. your programs, or use for further inspiration and ideas. The author Photos, charts, and other graphics supporting the textual stresses collaboration with schools and community leaders, information are significantly effectual. Rounding out all of these recommends appropriate partnerships, and gives great advice about components is a section in each volume offering activities for how to get feedback. Resources to help with grant writing and an that volume’s topics, making the set also desirable for science fair index are also included. This guide would be especially useful for or classroom projects. It is difficult to imagine a school or public new librarians in urban areas who are willing to try a wide variety of library not wanting this set on their shelves. If budgets permit, programs, or those established YA librarians who just need a batch two sets, one for reference and one as a circulating set, would be of fresh ideas. —Emily Williams, Young Adult Services Coordinator, ideal. —Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Teen Services Librarian, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Fairport (N.Y.) Public Library. YALS Celebrate TEEN READ WEEK TM October 18-24, 2009

Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. It is aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers, and other concerned adults. The 2009 theme, Read Beyond Reality @ your library, encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it, including sci-fi, fantasy, virtual realities, and much more. For more information on Teen Read Week, please visit www.ala.org/teenread.

Read Beyond Reality Bookmark 6" x 2", 100/pack $8.50 Teen Read Week Neon Pencils 12/pack, 4 colors $9

Read Beyond Reality 2009 Teen Read Week Poster Ample space Glow Bands 18" x 24" $12 for customization! 15/pack $13

Read Beyond Reality Mini Poster 9" x 12" $6

Teen Read Week purchases support the work of YALSA. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.

24 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 feature Special Supplement

n November 2008, YALSA hosted its first Young Adult Literature The Young Adult I Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee, with a theme of “How We Read Now.” The symposium featured five authors presenting four papers on various aspects of Literature young adult literature, designed to promote discussion of current issues in young adult literature. The four papers offered research and interesting viewpoints on: Symposium Paper l The treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning Presentations teens in YA lit (“Accept the Universal Freak Show,” by Angie Manfredi) l How manga attracts more girls to reading through unconventional narratives (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga: Manga as an Extension of Mexico. She is an active member State University. Ben Steiner is an Young Adult Literature” by Lisa of YALSA and the GLBT Assistant Professor in the Goldstein and Molly Phelan) Roundtable and 2007 graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice at the l Reaching incarcerated teens through University of Southern Mississippi University of South Carolina, young adult literature (“Bullies, Gangs SLIS program. Columbia. and Books for Young Adults” by Stan l Lisa Goldstein works for the l Tom Philion is Associate Dean in the Steiner) Public Library as a young adult College of Education at Roosevelt l Using young adult literature as a basis librarian. An avid comics reader, she University. He teaches courses on for teens to gain insight into our reviews graphic novels for School young adult literature and reading and current culture (“The Age of Blank? Library Journal and currently serves writing in the content areas, and leads Connecting Young Adult Readers to on YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels a middle school book club in Oak Each Other and The World by for Teens Committee. Molly Phelan is Park, Illinois. Thomas Philion). a young adult librarian for Brooklyn Public Library. Beginning as a trainee Members interested in proposing a The full-text of the presented papers in 2005, she was sent all over the paper for the next Young Adult are available in this supplement to Young borough of Brooklyn, and found that Literature Symposium can apply to do so Adult Library Services. teens from Coney Island to Bed-Stuy online at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium Five authors contributed papers for love manga. She is currently the through September 15. The 2010 Young the symposium: Information Supervisor for the Adult Literature Symposium will take Cypress Hills Branch in East place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nov. l Angie Manfredi is the Head of New York. 5-7, with a theme of Beyond Good Youth Services for the Los Alamos l Stan Steiner is professor and chair of Intentions: Diversity, Literature, and County Library System in New the Literacy Department at Boise Teens. YALS

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 25 feature

The field of LGBTQ literature for teens refuses to be ignored; the sheer Accept the Universal number and variety of recently released titles within the canon indicate that larger factors than a mere publishing Freak Show phenomenon are at play. As of late 2008, there is a wealth of titles seeing consistent publication from large publishing companies. These companies have the By Angie Manfredi ability to successfully promote the texts in large markets, helping to fuel this burgeoning genre of YA literature. At this point, the time has come to discuss two factors: the ever-changing and rapidly n October of 2007, J. K. Rowling threw six young adult (YA) titles with expanding audience that these titles are the mainstream media into a frenzy (LGBTQ) content appeared, as compared being published for and the strategies to when, during a Q&A session with a to the total of seventy titles that appeared maximize and enhance the presence of I 1 fan, she announced that Albus during the entire decade of the 1990s.” In these titles in library collections. Dumbledore was gay. Dumbledore, the the four publication years since Cart and Looking back on the history of titles beloved headmaster of Hogwarts, had Jenkins’s study, the numbers of YA novels published for young adults with LGBTQ served as a role model and mentor for the with LGBTQ content have only content, librarians may just be relieved that titular character of Rowling’s best-selling continued to rise. Beyond mere expansion we have collectively passed the era of books Harry Potter series. Rowling’s narrative of the canon, the diversity and sheer with LGBTQ characters who felt bad detail quickly stormed onto the pages of topical breath of the titles has exploded. about their homosexuality and sometimes such publications as Newsweek, Time, and Between 2007 and 2008 alone librarians even died in penance. In the contemporary . The story also have seen the publication of a wide swath world, we have so many positive and surfaced in the Associated Press newswire, of titles with LGBTQ content. In 2007, ultimately happy books portraying life as an which put it into hundreds of newspapers for instance, a handful of titles included: LGBTQ teenager to offer patrons that it across the country. Following the Susan Juby’s Another Kind of Cowboy, can often seem easy to believe that the days tremendous wave of initial exposure, the with a gay protagonist who excels at of negativity in the genre have passed into news media, cultural critics, and bloggers rodeos and horse riding; Perry Moore’s obscurity. Unfortunately, not all YA novels worldwide weighed in on Rowling’s Hero, featuring a gay protagonist who also portray such a queer-friendly world view. revelation and mused about the has a superhero alter ego; and, best of all, Negative messages about implications of the shocking disclosure that James St. James’s Freak Show,featuring homosexuality crop up in Cecily von a main character in a series of books for Billy Bloom, an unapologetic and Ziegesar’s best-selling series. children was gay. To those of us in the fabulously over-the-top teenage drag In the penultimate volume of the series, professional world of children’s and young queen. Notable titles from 2008 are Would I Lie To You (2006), Dan adult (YA) literature, this revelation, while Meagan Brother’s Debbie Harry Sings in Humphrey, a major character, gets drunk met with a good measure of commentary French, with a straight, male protagonist at a party and kisses a male coworker. Dan and a little celebration, was not quite as who happens to like dressing as a woman; deals with this sporadic action by simply earth-shattering. Leanne Liberman’s Gravity, about a young and instantly concluding he must be gay. In their comprehensive study of YA lesbian coming to terms with her sexuality Despite his immediate embrace of the fiction with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and her religious beliefs as an Orthodox notion, Dan reacts to this revelation with transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Jew; and Mayra Lazara Dole’s Down to the no small measure of hostility and disbelief. content, The Heart Has Its Reasons Bone, with an ethnically diverse cast of The other characters in the book, Dan’s (2006), Michael Cart and Christine characters including one who self- , are also shocked. His Jenkins observed, “In the five publishing identifies as genderqueer within the first ex-girlfriend Vanessa is particularly years from 2000 to 2004, a total of sixty- one hundred pages. skeptical, musing to herself: “Now he was

26 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Manfredi

gay. It couldn’t possibly last longer than same-sex element of the abuse is are looking for a comprehensive any of his other phases, and when he got significant. Laine lives in constant, not bibliography of positive portrayal titles, tired of being gay or he realized that being unjustified, fear that Leah will expose the two indispensable professional titles are gay would mean actually kissing guys and secret of the abuse to everyone. It is made Cart and Jenkin’s The Heart Has Its not girls—her in particular—well, she’d be clear that a large part of that fear of Reasons (2006) and Hillias J. Martin and in the bedroom next door.”2 Any mention exposure is based on Laine’s worry that James R. Murdock’s Serving Lesbian, Gay, of bisexuality is brushed aside and Dan such a revelation would mark her not just Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning unhappily concludes he must be gay with as a victim of abuse but also as a lesbian. Teens: A How-To-Do-It Manual for no real deliberation or emotional searching. Leah uses this as leverage to torment Laine, Librarians (2007). Both of these seminal Von Ziegesar uses the protagonist’s sexual who remains hyperaware of this as a research volumes include in-depth confusion as multifaceted plot looming threat. At one point, Laine kisses a annotated bibliographies that can help you development; Dan’s supposed sexual boy in front of Leah, thinking, “Look at me begin to pursue and promote titles that will fluctuation represents both a cheap device with a boy. I’m over you. I’m not what you match your patron base. Many of these to ratchet up dramatic tension between think.”3 This indirect comparison between books are well-known, award-winning, Dan and Vanessa and a way to wring sexual abuse and same-sex attraction best-selling titles that may already be awkward laughs out of both Dan’s associates homosexuality with criminal present in your library’s collections. With confusion and the reactions from other behavior, sexual deviancy, and with the so many new titles with LGBTQ content characters. Librarians, readers, and critics hurtful legacy of sexual abuse. In the end, being published, keeping up can seem have seen and participated in a great deal of as the titles indicates, Leah meets the same overwhelming. However, the benefit of so discussion about the Gossip Girl series, grisly fate as LGBTQ characters in older many major publishing houses releasing conversing over such diverse aspects of the narratives: she becomes the dead girl of the titles with LGBTQ content means that the texts as the way they drop name brands title. Her death thus gives Laine a chance novels are usually reviewed in all the major and how they reflect social aggression and to live a more normal life. professional publications, almost always bullying among girls. Despite the prevalent When examining titles such as these, with a specific note to their content. discussion of von Ziegesar’s franchise, it grows obvious that books being Librarians doing collection development though, there has been no serious criticism published for young adults are not queer should thus keep an eye on reviews that or even discussion of the author’s friendly by default. Although the field has make mention of LGBTQ content or dismissive and superficial portrayal of expanded in many positive ways, it is not appeal. Also, several openly LGBTQ same-sex attraction in the lives of free from some of the pitfalls of earlier eras. writers are now well known for their young teenagers. The message that this treatment Acknowledging that negative messages and adult fiction, and more often than not, sends out to millions of fans of this series is images exist in many YA books does not their multiple titles contain LGBTQ overwhelmingly negative and unrealistic. mean that YA librarians should collectively protagonists and plotlines. Some of these Von Ziegesar’s series is not alone in seek to pull these titles from their authors are: David Levithan, Brent using regressive and problematic collections. Self-censoring these titles Hartinger, Julie Anne Peters, and Alex stereotypes about homosexuality. We can before teenagers encounter them does Sanchez. No public or school library see other negative images in Jo Knowles’s nothing to challenge their negative should, or could, attempt to purchase every 2007 title Lessons from a Dead Girl.In portrayals. Alternatively, librarians can single YA title that contains LGBTQ Lessons, the narrator, Laine, recounts the strive to counter the messages of such texts content. Nonetheless, a well-organized sexual abuse that she suffered at the hands with exposure and inclusion in their section with even a few titles can offer of her friend Leah in a nonspecific and collection of some of the more positive proper representation and appropriate nondescript manner. Leah, an established titles being published. This approach can guidance to a variety of patrons. victim of prior sexual abuse by an older best be described as advocating and Once titles with LGBTQ content male family friend, visits a scarring level of integrating. have become a part of your collection, the abuse that is similar in nature on Laine. It Advocating and integrating can seem next step in advocating and integrating is to is strikingly evident that Lessons is less a like daunting tasks at the outset. add them to the standard repertoire of narrative of sexual curiosity and more a Regardless of initial intimidation, your your cumulative work as a YA librarian. story of the horror of sexual abuse. Even community or library likely already has the Even adding a single title with LGBTQ so, it is hard to escape the fact that the tools on hand to begin this process. If you content to reading lists available at the

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 27 Accept the Universal Freak Show

library can help the process of advocating wave of titles will also include teenagers about friendships, summer camp, and integrating. As a youth services who have LGBTQ friends and family makeovers, breakups, going away to librarian, add a positive portrayal text to members. Moreover, such promotion offers college, and other rites of adolescent your standard booktalking routine. With potential audiences a chance to see an passage. The appeal and usefulness of these such a wide range of titles now available in honest reflection of their lives and struggles titles, then, is much broader than just to every genre, there will certainly be a title in a book. The ability to relate personally adolescents with LGBTQ feelings. with LGBTQ content that matches both and directly with narratives can have a However, it is important to balance a your personal reading interests and the profound impact on these teenagers. collection featuring these tales of friendship interests of any group you may be doing Most young adult librarians and companionship with stories and novels outreach or programming with. The understand that not every teenager who dealing with the primary romantic and constantly expanding genre works in favor picks up a book with LGBTQ content will personal relationships of LGBTQ of advocating and integrating: fans of have same-sex feelings. Hopefully, these protagonists. Together, both types of these manga, romantic fiction, graphic novels, teenagers will come to identify themselves novels can help create a more complete sports stories, fantasy, nonfiction, comedy, as “allies,” heterosexuals who are portrait of the life of an LGBTQ teenager and realistic fiction can all find titles with committed to ideals of equality and or ally and friend. LGBTQ content to match their genre dedicated to fighting homophobia. The One of the basic tenets of the interests. Just as librarians seek to engage field of LGBTQ literature for teens reflects profession is that librarians must strive to reluctant readers and by including a large this reality, and this hope, as well. For match the right book with the right reader variety of genres in their booktalking and instance, Michael Harmon’s Last Exit to at the right time. Understanding this class visits, inclusion of titles with LGBTQ Normal (2008) and Julie Anne Peter’s means that librarians must understand that content allows librarians to familiarize Between Mom and Jo (2006) feature not every situation or group may be suited students of any sexual orientation with the heterosexual protagonists with homosexual for a booktalk featuring Billy, flamboyant fact that the library has a large selection of parents. Many more YA titles portray close drag queen of Freak Show, but what if a titles that can speak directly to their friendships between gay and straight librarian was creating a booklist for a experiences. While mere title suggestions adolescents. A decade ago, these titles program with the theme of seem like small steps, one or two titles would have been noteworthy simply “metamorphosis” or “express yourself”? featured on a booklist or one title discussed because of their inclusion of an LGBTQ Overly cautious or heteronormative openly and enthusiastically can convey character. Now, they have become almost thinking must not limit a librarian’s efforts strong messages that many teen patrons commonplace and are often read more as at advocating and integrating. Myopic want or need to hear. Advocating and stories of typical friendships. Usually, they thinking must not keep librarians from integrating is crucial because librarians are more the stories of kinship between reaching out to connect the right readers must be aware that their actions will help friends instead of desire or connection with the right books. teen patrons from all walks of life. between romantic partners. A few titles Advocating and integrating can mean Including these titles could potentially that explore friendships between more than simply purchasing titles with offer guidance or support to teens who heterosexual and LGBTQ adolescents are: LGBTQ content for a collection. Although might otherwise choose to remain silent E. Lockhart’s Dramarama (2007), Brian that is a key first step, another important about the prevalence of LGBTQ-related Sloan’s A Tale of Two Summers (2006), way to approach this within your library is issues within their own respective lives. In a Alex Sanchez’s Getting It (2006), Brian to create a display for LGBTQ History 2005 study at Cornell University, Malloy’s Twelve Long Months (2008), Month, which in the United States is psychologist Ritch C. Savin-Williams Carrie Jones’s Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) October. This allows a chance to both conducted a series of related social Boyfriend (2007), and Steve Kluger’s My highlight titles with LGBTQ content and experiments. Savin-Williams concluded Most Excellent Year (2008). These titles are emphasize that your library is committed that “at least fifteen percent and maybe as part of what might be considered the to integrated library service to all your high as twenty percent of all adolescents newest trend in the body of LGBTQ patrons. have some degree of same-sex literature. This contemporary wave Approaching this display in your orientation.”4 Savin-Williams’s study only addresses homosexuality as a de facto part library presents a unique set of challenges. applies to adolescents with same-sex of the larger teenage experience, only one Be prepared to work with the orientation. The audience for this new element of the complicated story in YA lit administration of your library because

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having their support in case of a challenge create a compelling proposal for my should, instead, strive to present these or a complaint from the community will be administration, proving the necessity of patrons with a wide array of literature that important. To make sure your having this display at my library (see can speak to the possibilities and diversity administration understands the importance appendix.) of their lives. At the same time, librarians of this display and is ready to support you, This display served as a chance to and readers can hope that the genre will consider creating a proposal for the both create an LGBTQ booklist that continue to expand as it has in the past two administration. This proposal will not only spotlights a handful of titles in our years, bringing the canon even more provide justification for the display but collection (see handout 1) and provide our diversity and depth. may act as a rebuttal to any potential patrons with information to help them deal By opening their library shelves to the challenges. Hopefully, you will not with a variety of LGBTQ issues (see LGBTQ experience in YA literature encounter a challenge, but you should handout 2.) I also featured the works and through advocating and integrating, welcome questions about the display’s biographies of LGBTQ authors and librarians open a world of understanding intention and usefulness, both from your activists, including in the display works by and tolerance to all their patrons, patrons and your colleagues. A proposal Whitman and a biography of Bayard regardless of sexual orientation. Further, can answer these questions as well as Rustin. This display did not take up a huge through these attempts, librarians may encourage more open discussion and amount of space but it was clearly labeled even offer a lifeline to some of the examination of materials. Be prepared to and prominently featured in our teen area. teenagers who need affirmation and defend this display if it is challenged. A As I hoped, it raised questions in my support in their lives the most. This well-thought out and well-researched library, both from teenagers who checked advocating and integrating by librarians proposal is just one tool you should have out the books and from my colleagues. My can create an atmosphere in which prepared. You should also be familiar with display inspired the head of the adult LGBTQ teenagers and their potential the titles you are featuring—know their fiction section at my library to not only allies can find information and resources content and their literary merit. If you are create a complementary display, but it led at the library and use them to make their able to discuss them with patrons, you will her to discover that their collection of lives, and perhaps even the world, a little be better able to promote and defend them. material with LGBTQ content needed bit better. Remember that approaching this display as updating and she purchased several new At the end of Freak Show, Billy Bloom part of a larger goal of advocating and titles in response. ends his campaign for Homecoming Queen integrating within your library will make it I created a sign for this display that with an impassioned speech to his high seem both more indispensable and tries to reflect the depth of life for an school classmates, urging them to recognize defendable. Just as books with LGBTQ LGBTQ adolescent of today. Not only did the commonality of their experience. “I am content encompass many readers and speak it encourage patrons to browse the display asking you all to look inside yourselves— to the larger experience of adolescent life, and use the library’s resources, it also look into that secret place—confront your so too can a display featuring LGBTQ featured photographs of notable LGBTQ own inner freak. Don’t turn away in shame. titles and material. Americans. The four people featured in the Stare it down, really examine it, inside and The proposal I created for my library’s sign were the late LGBTQ activists Harvey out, and then maybe you’ll believe me when display incorporated core values of Milk and Barbara Gittings and I say to you again that I’m not so different librarianship and information from the contemporary celebrities Lindsay Lohan from you.”5 Library Bill of Rights from ALA and goals and Lance Bass. Perhaps Harvey Milk and When librarians examine the way my library listed in their long-range plan to Lindsay Lohan seem like unlikely allies, but teenagers read now they must be like Billy, provide service and outreach to all they also function as good symbols for the unafraid to embrace newness and members of our community. It also ever-changing and increasingly public face originality in their collections, prepared to contained statistics gathered from surveys of not just the literature for young adults do as Billy suggests and “accept the conducted by the Gay Lesbian Straight with LGBTQ content but the complexities universal freak show” of this often daunting Education Network (GLSEN) and Harris of their lives as well. In the same way that but frequently rewarding task.5 In doing Interactive polling about the climate of there can be no single face of the LGBTQ this, we stand to make a tangible, hostility and intimidation that many experience for adolescents, there can be no permanent, perhaps even life-changing LGBTQ adolescents face in school. Using one novel that sums up the entirety of life impact in the lives of teenagers who seek both these statistics and goals, I was able to for an LGBTQ teenager. Librarians representation and in the library. YALS

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 29 Accept the Universal Freak Show

References environment, can be daunting. In their 2005 support system for these teenagers by National School Climate Survey the Gay, helping connect them to the increased 1. Michael Cart and Christine Jenkins. The Lesbian and Straight Education Network number of titles currently published with Heart Has Its Reasons: Young Adult (GLSEN), a national organization of LGBTQ content. By having some of these Literature with Gay/Lesbian/Queer educators established in 1995 to help titles in a public library collection, as well as Content, 1969-2004 (Lanham, Md.: The schools form Gay/Straight Alliances and having a time to spotlight them during Scarecrow Press, 2006): 128. combat bullying and harassment, surveyed such yearly events as LGBTQ History 2. Cecily von Ziegesar. Would I Lie To You 1,732 LGBT students between the ages of Month, public librarians are not only (New York: Little, Brown & Co., 2006): thirteen and twenty from all fifty states and providing information, and to an 176. the District of Columbia and found that underserved population within their 3. Jo Knowles, Lessons from a Dead Girl 75.4 percent of respondents heard community, but also supporting the ALA’s (Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, derogatory remarks and 37.8 percent had Library Bill of Rights first principle, which 2007): 147. experienced physical harassment.1 states “Books and other library resources 4. Ritch C. Savin-Williams. The New Gay A similar study, “From Teasing to should be provided for the interest, Teenager (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Torment: School Climate in America,” information, and enlightenment of all University Press, 2006): 44. which was conducted by GLSEN through people of the community the library 5. James St. James. Freak Show (New York: Harris Interactive, polled 3,400 students serves.”3 These actions not only foster Dutton, 2007): 248. aged thirteen to eighteen and over 1,000 community goodwill and understanding for secondary school teachers and queried patrons of all ages and sexual orientations them about the climate of bullying and but also serve to help libraries fulfill certain Appendix threats in their schools. “Two-thirds (65 core values of librarianship as set out by percent) of teens report that they have been ALA (such as diversity and social Young adult (YA) literature is a rapidly verbally or physically harassed or assaulted responsibility).4 growing genre within both the publishing during the past year because of their As YA literature as a whole has industry and the world of library service. perceived or actual appearance, gender, expanded and changed so has the way First established in the late 1960s, the sexual orientation, gender expression, race/ libraries have collected and promoted this genre has flourished and is now a ethnicity, disability or religion.” The survey material. As the reader base has become permanent and critical element of library also reported that “one-third (33 percent) more voracious and more sophisticated, service to youth. One aspect of the genre of teens report that students are frequently libraries have responded by creating special that has experienced a recent boom in harassed because they are or are perceived teen areas within their buildings and by breadth and number of titles in recent to be lesbian, gay or bisexual.” and that creating positions for librarians who only years is young adult titles that contain “LGBT students are three times as likely as serve teenagers. These librarians help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-LGBT students to say that they do spotlight the uniqueness and the scope of queer (LGBTQ) content. This increase in not feel safe at school (22 percent versus 7 their collections with frequent displays, published titles seems to indicate that there percent).” This climate of hostility and booklists, and events. This also helps is a growing market and interest in titles threats can have a profound effect on all interest teen patrons in books they might dealing with LGBTQ content. students and negatively impact the entire not have know were part of the library’s Moreover, large numbers of school community, regardless of sexual or collection and let LGBTQ teens see that adolescents are admitting feeling same-sex gender preferences. For instance, it is the library has something to offer them. A attraction themselves as well as worth noting that in this same survey they display for LGBTQ History Month would encountering it more often than ever in discovered that “the reason most not only be appropriate for the larger goal popular culture and within their commonly cited for being harassed of the library in the community but would interactions with their peers and families. frequently is a student’s appearance, as four also serve to showcase some of the wide The increase in published YA titles reflects in ten (39 percent) teens report that range of titles with LGBTQ content larger societal awareness of LGBTQ students are frequently harassed for the published for interested teen readers of any sexuality as a whole. way they look or their body size.”2 sexual orientation. However, the situation for LGBTQ Public librarians have a unique Books with LGBTQ content are now teenagers, their school and social opportunity to be both advocates and a a familiar presence in the world of YA

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literature, both to teen readers and adult facing the community and the many Transgender Youth, reviewers and librarians. More and more titles cultures that contribute to the richness www.outproud.org with a wider appeal and marketability are of community life.”5 As a library system, Human Rights Campaign, www.hrc.org published every year. Titles with LGBTQ and a community, we must acknowledge Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians content now appear in almost every genre of these members of our community and and Gays, www.pflag.org young adult literature such as: manga, provide for them, regardless of their age, Explore LGBTQ History!, romantic fiction, graphic novels, sports stories, equally comprehensive and www.glbthistorymonth.com fantasy, nonfiction, memoirs, comedy, and representative library services, programs, The Trevor Helpline is a twenty-four hour, realistic fiction. Titles with LGBTQ content and displays. toll-free crisis hotline for LGBTQ are also garnering honors. Some honors and This is a chance to contribute to the youth. They also have a Web site, awards won by the books that could be richness of our community life. Let us www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488- featured in this display: Michael L. Printz make the most of it while we can. 7386 Award and Honor Award (awarded by the 1. Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education YALSA), a National Book Award finalist, LGBTQ Booklist Network. “”GLSEN’s 2005 National andtheSidFleischmanHumorAward School Climate Survey Sheds New Light (awarded by the Society of Children’s Book Postcards from No Man’s Land by Aidan on Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Writers and Illustrators). LGBTQ titles have Chambers and Transgender (LGBT) Students,” also been named to the New York Public Down to the Bone by Mayra L. Dole http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/ Library’sBooksfortheTeenAge,YALSA’s The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen library/record/1927.html (accessed Sept. Best Books for Young Adults lists, YALSA’s Johnson 16, 2008). Popular Paperbacks lists, YALSA’s Great GLBTQ: A Survival Guide by Kelly 2. Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Graphic Novels list, and ALA’s Quick Picks Huegel (TJ 306.766 H871g) Network. “From Teasing to Torment: for Reluctant Readers lists. My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger School Climate in America - A National The literary merit of these works is Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan Report on School Bullying,” http:// not in question and neither is the need Hero by Perry Moore www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/ within the library and community that Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle record/1859.html (accessed Sept. 16, they address. A display for LGBTQ Luna by Julie Anne Peters 2008). History Month would not only be Empress of the World by Sara Ryan 3. American Library Association. “Library entirely appropriate and justified but Freak Show by James St. James Bill of Rights,” http://www.ala.org/ala/ would also serve to meet part of the Los Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez oif/statementspols/statementsif/ Alamos County Library System’s Long A Really Nice Prom Mess by Brian Sloan librarybillrights.cfm (accessed Sept. 16, Range Plan, which has as a stated goal: Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger 2008). “Community members will be Antique Bakery by 4. American Library Association. “Core encouraged to explore the richness of Values of Librarianship,” http:// their own and other cultures in order to LGBTQ Resource List www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ broaden their cultural experiences and to corevaluesstatement/corevalues.cfm enhance further understanding and Do you need help or just want more info (accessed Sept. 16, 2008). appreciation of diversity,” as well as about being LGBTQ or being an ally? 5. Los Alamos County Library System. “FY “Community members will be offered an Check out these resources! 2006-FY 2010 Long Range Plan,” http:// array of programs, events, exhibits, and Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education www.losalamosnm.us/index.asp? services that will help them develop a Network, www.glsen.org Type=B_BASIC&SEC={B6C09491- knowledge of and appreciation for the OutProud: The National Coalition for 6AF4-4BF4-95C1-1436AEF32140} history of the greater community, issues Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and (accessed Sept. 16, 2008).

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 31 feature

of American comics publishing. It’s the only type of comic book that’s more Are You There God? popular with girls and women than boys and men. Indeed, girls and women are going to bookstores to buy manga in It’s Me, Manga numbers that are unheard of in the U.S. comics industry.1

Manga accounts for two-thirds of the Manga as an Extension U.S. graphic novel market, which was $375 million in 2007.2 Girls, primarily those aged 13-17, make up 75 percent of the of Young Adult Literature readership, and publishers are responding. Manga publisher Tokyopop recently partnered with CosmoGirl to attract new By Lisa Goldstein and readers. In 2007 DC Comics, a classic superhero publishing house, created Minx, Molly Phelan a graphic novel imprint for teenage girls. This spoke to “a paradigm shift in the comics industry.”3 Harlequin decided to bring their manga versions of their popular paperbacks originally for Japanese markets to America, noting “we know kids are going omics have risen in popularity in manga is extending this function. In this to the manga section of bookstores.”4 recent years. Publishers, paper, we propose to demonstrate that Teens are also going to the manga section C bookstores, and libraries are all manga’s unconventional narratives give its of libraries. “Libraries are paying attention changing their collections to reflect this female audience more agency as readers. to manga because the numbers are clear: demand, which is due in part to comics’ Theirinteractionswithand adding comic book titles to the shelves put newfound appeal to girls. Girls have interpretations of the text are not dictated circulation stats ‘through the roof.’”5 primarily come to comics through manga, by conventional gender roles and Why, though, is the audience for which in Japan has long been written for expectations. Girls are driving a demand manga overwhelmingly female? Eva Volin, and marketed to both genders and for all for comics and manga in the United States a librarian who has served as an Eisner ages. Gender bending and gender fluidity in unprecedented ways—and this is Award judge and is currently chair of are common themes in manga, especially in changing how teens read now. YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens the shojo and boys’ love genres, both Committee, notes that “most manga written for females. The boys’ love genre focuses on character development and depicts romances between two beautiful Changing Shelves, growth, along with action and humor. It boys. Critics observe that the male-male Changing Selves pulls me in as a female reader [more] than love stories offer females safe opportunities a typical superhero comic.”6 One critic to experiment with different sexual and The bookshelves in U.S. libraries and explained manga’s popularity with the gender roles. Even the more hetero- corporate sellers have changed dramatically observation that “[m]anga offers adventure, normative shojo comics, such as Sailor in the last five years. Back in 2003, trade romance, fantasy, erotica, even sports Moon and Oh My Goddess!, feature gay magazines took note of the sales of manga comics–there’s something for readers of all characters and characters who switch and graphic novels. Reid remarked that ages and both genders.”7 Comics in the between genders. sales United States have long been marginalized, Young adult literature has always not seen as much more than a temporary existed to give teenagers a chance to have grown at such a phenomenal rate diversion for adolescent males. In Japan, experiment with different identities, and that they are transforming the landscape however, manga is a “dominant medium in

32 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Goldstein and Phelan

mass culture viewed neither as a childish find their essential selves. Critic Kay boy or girl to man or woman is undertaking nor an impoverished textual medium...as Vandergrift writes, “Engagement with a ‘huge leap on the slimmest of it tends to be in the United States.”8 It is story is life-affirming; it puts us in touch information,” and this is apparent in “sold ubiquitously—in newsstands, train with the world, with one another, and with manga, in which gender, and reality, are kiosks, bookstores, convenience stores and our essential selves. Story helps us shape extremely malleable.16 For example, in vending machines packaged according to and reshape life, to give it importance and Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma 1/2, a splash specific subjects and distinct audiences.”9 reflect on who we are and who we might of cold water turns Ranma into a girl. In Manga is completely integrated into Japan’s become.”13 The “story” is especially this world, the other gender is very popular culture, and is read by all ages and important for adolescents, who have left accessible, and gender identity is not fixed. both genders. childhood behind and are growing into Ranma’s femininity is not nonexistent or This cultural integration is growing in their adult identity. buried deep within him. Instead, it is barely the United States, as girls increasingly seek Young adult literature concerned with below the surface, waiting for the smallest out shojo manga written for and marketed this challenge resonates the most with prompt to manifest itself. The “exploration to them. “The most appealing thing [for teens, because adolescence is a time of of gender fluidity” allows manga artists to U.S. markets] with manga is that it’s been experimentation and of shifting identities. “address issues of identity of great decades since comics have been a meaningful Cornerstones of young adult literature importance to them and their readers.”17 medium for females.”10 Especially such as Robert Cormier’s I Am the Cheese fascinating is the fact that the manga genres and Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea trilogy teenage girls are reading contain many of the explore this theme with the use of double Women Manga-ka: same themes of identity as young adult identities and name changes. Le Guin and We Can Do It! fiction. A review of these books reveals that other young adult authors acknowledge the manga is more than just a popular format. It fact that gender is tied up inextricably with Characters in manga have switched genders performs one of young adult literature’s identity; it is the one factor that both since Princess Knight was published in 1953 primary roles: to help teens find their restricts humans and lets them express by the “godfather of manga” Osamu identity. Publishers Weekly blogger Heidi themselves to the greatest extremes. Fiction Tezuka.18 As a child, Tezuka attended MacDonald observes: for young adults is increasingly concerned performances of the Takarazuka Revue, a with gender and sexuality, and critic female theater troupe that assigned male The “mainstream” of comics could learn Michael Cart and Christine Jenkins have and female roles to its actresses. Besides much from the hold this material has observed a growing assimilation of gay “influenc[ing] his habit of showing female over its audience. Themes of mastery characters into young adult literature. characters with large sparkling eyes,” the and coming of age, ambivalence about Early young adult novels with gay revue’s gender bending manifests itself in emerging sexuality, gender confusion– protagonists such as John Donovan’s I’ll the story of Princess Knight, who was born these are basic themes of all classic Get There, It Better Be Worth the Trip and with both a boy’s and a girl’s soul.19 She is literature for young adults, and manga Isabel Holland’s The Man Without a Face considered to be the “prototype for the fits the bill.11 focused rather turgidly on the issue of magical girls and the sexual ambiguities homosexuality. These dire stories, which that would become central to shojo 20 Young Adult Identity often ended with some tragedy for the gay manga.” Similar sexual ambiguities character, became a ghettoized subgenre.14 played out in the relationship between the Young adult literature has always tested Today, young adult fiction contains many “Takarasiennes” who performed male roles boundaries. In early works such as S. E. characters that just happen to be gay: their and their ardent female fans. By the mid- Hinton’s The Outsiders, Paul Zindel’s My homosexuality is not the main issue. These 1930s, there were warnings against the Darling, My Hamburger, and Judy Blume’s include Cecily Von Ziegesar’s Gossip Girl, Revue’s perverting influence on young Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, E. Lockhart’s Dramarama, and Denene and women.21 Other critics of the time believed topics that were once considered taboo Mitzi Miller’s Hotlanta. One critic even that “the all-female revue provided a safe such as divorce, changing bodies, and observes that “transgender fiction is making outlet for the budding passions of teenage sexuality became more mainstream in a a stumbling debut, with novels such as girls and young women until they were more tolerant world.12 The first efforts David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy and Blake older and their sexual desires had matured paved the way for readers and writers to Nelson’s Gender Blender.15 “Going from and shifted ‘naturally’ to anatomically

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correct men.”22 Today’s Takarazuka fans manga. At this time, shojo branched off confusing they may be. Readers are able to have a much more positive, open into “two types in terms of gender.”29 One view the daunting challenges of romantic perspective. They “continue to view the focused on women as characters, and by relationships from the comfortable distance player of men’s roles in a number of doing this conformed to the “traditional of a male character. In Mikio Tsuda’s The affirmative ways, including as a style-setting images of shojo.”30 These were usually Day of Revolution, Kei discovers that he is lesbian and as an exemplary female who written from the viewpoint of a young girl genetically a girl and begins to live as embodies contradiction and bridges gender unable to express her feelings of love to the Megumi, a female. Being a girl, Megumi and its spatial domains...female fans enjoy opposite sex. The other, however, did not discovers, is dangerous: strangers and former vicariously what they too might be able to present women as its protagonists, and so friends harass and objectify her. Female do if—magically—they were someone else: “subverted the gender convention of readers of boys’ love, however, are reading not male, but players of men’s roles.”23 The previous shojo manga” and “challenged the romances in which there is no need to fantastic worlds of manga, in which a girl traditional code of the shojo.”31 The “agree...with their supposed position as an can successfully pass as a boy at an all boys’ “49ers,” a group of female artists all born in object of male desire.”34 One critic further school (, Kill Me, Kiss Me), or a 1949, began creating work for young girls notes that a female reader’s “imagination [is] splash of water can change a person’s and women that “transcend[ed] simple allowed to run wild without consequence to gender (Ranma 1/2), allow readers to slip minded romanticism and boy/girl herbodyorpsyche.”35 In these stories, there on these new, foreign roles easily. Manga’s conformity.”32 Ikeda Riyoko’s 1972 manga is no possibility of marriage or risk of stylized illustrations aid this: “[they are] The Rose of Versailles is a seminal example. pregnancy, and the willowy, feminine male intended not to mimic reality but tweak it The heroine’s father raises her as a man in characters resemble typical shojo heroines. [and] create a space that distances the Marie Antoinette’s court so that she may The art in manga has idealized bodies and reader from her or his everyday world. The succeed him in his position as head of the faces,thelinesarecrispandclean,andthe manga can lampoon, satirize, romanticize, Palace Guards. “Oscar” is torn between visual aspect of beautiful boys allows girls to naturalize, eliminate, transcend, reimagine, living as a man and as a woman. However, identify with either character and imagine ridicule and essentialize the worlds in passing as a man gives Oscar more freedom relationships, romance, and sexuality without which people live.”24 because she lives “free from fixed gender the trappings of gender. The heroes of Toko The Takarasiennes influenced ideology.”33 Oscar carries on relationships Kawai’s Loveholic, for example, resemble Tezuka, and he in turn influenced shojo with both men and women, and her supermodels, with their slim, elongated manga. However, he did not consider position in the court gives her insight into bodies and impossibly long legs. In Teiko himself a shojo writer, and the characters in the corruption of Louis XVI’s rule. Sasaki’s Kissing, the couple moon at each Princess Knight adhere to traditional gender Fittingly, The Rose of Versailles has been otherwithlimpideyesframedbylong roles. The dual-gendered heroine’s ultimate dramatized by the Takarazuka Revue. eyelashes. These androgynous pairs could goal is to become a complete female. Once easily be heterosexual couples, lesbian this happens, “she immediately begins to couples, or gay male couples. Because of their use feminine speech and to cook and clean androgynous appearance, the male heroes can 25 Girls in Love With Boys for her future husband.” At the time of in Love act as blank slates for whatever gender and Princess Knight’s publication, male artists kind of relationship the reader wants to dominated manga publishing, and shojo Why do girls want to read about boys in assign them. Able to identify with the then “promoted icons which preserved love? Boys’ love offers a haven in which beautifulboyseitheras“boys,girlsor Japanese modern femininity.”26 In the readers may contemplate the different androgynes, readers are encouraged to 1970s, however, an increasing number of sexual and gender roles in relationships, experiment with nonhegemonic gender and women “developed a clear self-identity including same-sex relationships and sexual practices.”36 through changes in labor practices [and relationships not conforming to traditional Although a female reader may benefit the] introduction of new ideas from the gender roles. This harmless subversion can from the distance afforded by reading a western feminist movement.”27 Unlike the lead to an empowering awareness of the romance between two males, she may also western feminists, who emphasized equality full scope of opportunities afforded by an be “encouraged to see not just a girl but with men, women in Japan began to acceptance of the complexity and fluidity of herself within the world of boys’ love and, emphasize their “shared identity as gender, and of the importance of being ultimately, is encouraged to explore ‘women.’”28 More women began creating open to all feelings, no matter how homoerotic desire, either as a beautiful boy

34 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Goldstein and Phelan

or as herself.”37 There are members of the sexes: “boys’ love is a safe expression of City police officers, Ryo and Dee, who feel Japanese lesbian community who point to feelings, period.”40 The opportunity to an increasing attraction towards each other. boys’ love as an influence during their navigate a romance through a male In the final volume, Ryo is still struggling adolescence. One lesbian activist says that character’s perspective gives female readers to come to terms with his feelings for Dee. she “turned to these manga given the lack of boys’ love a chance to contemplate His friend Diana, a tough, resolute FBI of representations of female-female relationships outside of the usual gender agent, is much more open about sex and desire.”38 Akira Honma’s Last Portrait role dichotomy, with the man as the homosexuality: “Oh stop it, Sandra Dee. contains a poignant scene in which lovers pursuer and the women as the pursued. It You’re not in junior high. It’s nothing to Yamato and Sakaguchi pledge to give up can be liberating to see these protagonists turn bright red about.” She then tells him, everything they have for each other: “Let’s exhibiting the insecurities about “[you’re] scared [to] have to face up to go away. we’ll forget about society and relationships normally associated with everything you are.” Ryo fumes, “What is it family.” The melodramatic genre of shojo is females. In Satoru Kannagi’s Only the Ring with straight women, knowing everything a a perfect setting for expressing the plight of Finger Knows, Wataru and popular Yuichi gay guy thinks!” being in a socially unacceptable find they are wearing the same rings by Occasionally boys’ love fans appear in relationship. This is in accordance with mistake. Embarrassingly, matching rings boys’ love manga, and playfully objectify Michael Cart’s wishes for young adult signify a couple. Yuichi is cold to Wataru, men. In Satosumi Takaguchi’s Shout Out literature with gay protagonists: “Could and discomfits him. Wataru shivers and Loud! female fans gush about their favorite these books perhaps play a positive didactic blushes, and Yuichi taunts: “What, did you voice : “he does the best kisses!” In role in acquainting young readers with think I was gonna kiss you or something?” Gravitation, Reiji falls in love with Shuichi. realistically portrayed gay and lesbian Maki Murakami’s Gravitation tells the In spite of her unrequited love for him, she characters? And could those readers’ story of Shuichi, an aspiring rock star, and enjoys his reconciliation with Eiri, imaginations be pushed a bit further to see Eiri, an established romance author, and admitting she has a “fetish” for “a pretty- such characters from an empathetic, rather contains humorous scenes in which the two boy love scene.” In boys’ love, women suffer than a sympathetic, perspective? Could a men struggle to come to terms with their from none of the hesitation or prudishness young reader not simply feel for gay and feelings for each other. At one point, Eiri that men do, and this is one way in which lesbian people but also with them?"39 declares that he is straight, then leans in for the genre “transgressively offer[s] readers Empathizing with homosexual characters a passionate, five-panel kiss with Shuichi, new models of masculinity and romance.”41 may also lead to increased empathy with sending Shuichi into hysterics. Women are assertive, certain of their homosexual couples in general. In Emura’s In contrast to the frazzled male desires, and ready to pursue men. In W Juliet, for example, Ito falls for Makoto, characters of boys’ love, the female Young-You Lee’s Kill Me, Kiss Me, Tae Im who must spend high school disguised as a protagonists are calmly confident in their clenches her fists, warning her crush: “Get girl to make his father take his wish to be sexuality and desires. Occasionally they ready, Kun! Here I come!” Unlike an seriously. Ito and Makoto are a give love advice to their male friends, traditional romances, in which the man is straight couple in the closet, and express making them aware of their repressed the dominant pursuer, boys’ love offers the same longing to have an open, feelings. In Last Portrait, Miyabi amiably female readers a choice in relationship legitimate relationship that undercover gay tells her astonished fiance to leave her roles. A Tokyopop editor observes that couples may have: “In two years. we’ll be because she noticed that he hid his “[boys’ love] breaks lots of cultural sunning ourselves on the beach. Someday engagement ring in front of her brother. In stereotypes about what relationships are the two of us.” Boys’ love can be a discreet Only the Ring Finger Knows, Wataru’s sister supposed to be. Women are expected to way of experimenting with a lesbian unnerves him when she mentions his play or serve a certain role. A [boys’ love] identity through empathy for a male unacknowledged feelings for Yuichi. She reader doesn’t have to associate with a couple, or by individually imagining the teases his defensiveness: “Down boy, don’t female character. You choose which one androgynous couple as women. Like the get excited...You’re so easy to read!” The you identify with.”42 Paul Gravett notes women in drag of the Takarazuka revue, unflappable females of boys’ love steer their that in the stories one male partner is the pretty boys of boys’ love permit readers emotional, less experienced male friends usually more effeminate and one is more to fantasize safely about same-sex feelings. towards the truth. Sanami Matoh’s Fake,a dominant, and readers can choose to Boys’ love can engender an acceptance bestselling boys’ love manga in the United identify more strongly with one role or the for all feelings, between any combination of States, tells the story of two New York other.43 Brenner similarly observes,

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“Despite same-gender main characters, Interestingly, this lack of focus on myself. All I know is that I love Kazuki.” gender stereotypes are usually sexuality may assist readers in identifying Confusion is acceptable in these situations. maintained.”44 In Gravitation, for example, their own sexuality. Since boys’ love is Identities may not be clear cut, but love is. Eiri is the dominant “male” character: he written for girls, they are free to seduces Shuichi, who is much less contemplate a same-sex romance that is not experienced. Emotional Shuichi is drawn as exclusively between males. In manga, Channeling the a child, and is referred to as both “a little gender issues are not portrayed as a core Masculine and the pet” and a “blushing bride.” Shuichi may issue, and “most teen readers who select a Feminine play the stereotypical female role in the book with gender-variant characters are not relationship, but female readers are not tied looking for a manifesto on gender or gender One of the most powerful messages of to the role by gender: “what distinguishes angst. Instead, readers seek a mirror of their gender bending and boys’ love manga is that [boys’ love] from traditional romances is own feelings or experiences to relate to and it is empowering to channel both the the idea that the two male leads start off as help them understand the world around masculine and feminine; to accept one’s full social equals. Female readers can identify them.”49 As gay characters appear in young identity, no matter how confusing or with either hero.”45 adult fiction as secondary characters, or complex it is. James Welker describes the Little else in boys’ love breaks with even main characters whose sexuality is not boys’ love reader as “an exemplary female conventions of the romance genre, and this the book’s focus, the message of tolerance who can negotiate successfully both genders is another source of its appeal. The dance for all orientations becomes more assumed without being constrained by either.”51 As J. of indecision, doubt, and denial between and, as a result, more effective: Cart and D. Ho points out, “what girl hasn’t wanted the protagonists resembles the courtships Jenkins note that books such as these to have the privileges and the opportunities of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Jane assume a “melting pot of sexual and gender afforded the other gender?”52 Gender- Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre identity.”50 As Shuichi’s friend Hiro tells bending manga often comes from a and Mr. Rochester in Charlotte Bronte’s him in Gravitation, “It doesn’t matter that character’s “desire to change circumstances Jane Eyre.46 Boys’ love narratives are not Eiri-san is a guy because you love him in imposed by culture and custom.”53 bogged down in real-life consequences or the deepest way of all, as a person.” Boys’ Sometimes a girl just has to be a boy to get issues. Rather, they are escapist romances: love protagonists learn not to resist their what she wants. WJulietand Kill Me, Kiss “the lack of strictly realistic issues feelings, no matter how confusing they are. Me both feature protagonists who dress up contributes to the appeal. These books are This demonstrates that it is acceptable to as the other gender to infiltrate boys’ and appealing for many of the same reasons that experience more complex feelings about a girls’ schools in order to get close to a crush. prose romance novels are attractive...they relationship than a heteronormative view Adopting another gender gets the characters focus on relationships.”47 The protagonists’ would expect. Hinako Takanaga’s Little what they want. In Kill Me, Kiss Me Tae homosexuality is not the issue, their Butterfly, for example, is a straightforward Im declares, “I don’t care! I can be a boy or a romance is: “[c]haracters are frequently in romance, without any discussion of girl for you, Kun! Somehow...I’m gonna love with that person only and don’t homosexuality. Boy meets boy and, after a make you mine!” The power of moving consider themselves gay or lesbian. The little confusion, they fall in love. Though between two genders comes from the ability topic of how the characters identify their initially confused by Nakahara’s advances, to accept a more complex gender than most sexuality in most cases is not discussed.”48 Kojima relents: “I don’t really understand people are socialized to do. In Gravitation, In Gravitation, Shuichi tells Eiri that he it, but I like you, too.” In Kill Me, Kiss Me, Eiri is attracted to Shuichi because Shuichi didn’t fall in love with him “because you’re a Tae Im disguises herself as a boy to be does not worry about being gay. “I can’t help guy or anything it was a purely emotional closer to her crush, Kun, at a boys’ school. being in love,” he says simply. Eiri admires reaction.” In Hisaya Nakajo’s Hana Kimi,a Tough boy Ga-Woon is attracted to her, or this: “[Y]ou can fall in love and not worry gay character muses, “Unrequited love. I “him”: “I can’t help it. I can’t get [h]im out about sexuality.” By not questioning his know it well.” If one character will not love of my head. Do-do you think I - I could be desires, Shuichi enjoys more freedom than the other because he will not accept his turning...gay?!” Ga-Woon is frightened others. Boys’ love readers enjoy this freedom homosexuality, the story focuses on the and confused, but he “can’t help it”—he has as well, because the stories offer a safe place drama of unrequited love, not the drama of to go with his feelings. In Only the Ring to try on different identities. coming to terms with one’s sexual Finger Knows, Wataru’s emotions similarly Boys’ love readers are even free to orientation. overtake him: “I don’t even understand envision a gender outside of the

36 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Goldstein and Phelan

male-female dichotomy. Welker observes to convince them to see it as a valid story- 2. “Graphic Novels Hit 375 Million,” that the beautiful boy is “neither male nor telling format. Manga is more than an icv2.com, Apr. 18, 2008. female” but a “third sex/gender,” and alternative medium or style. It presents 3. R. Deahl. “Where the Girls Are,” further observes that “the reader maintains themes of gender, sexuality, and identity in Publishers Weekly (Apr. 23, 2007): 25. the freedom to renarrate and en-gender—or a unique way, and this has value for young 4. C. Memmott. “Japanese Manga Takes de-gender—the narrative to her own adult readers. Critic J. D. Ho calls boys’ Humongous Step,” USA Today (July 6, liking"54 Thompson notes that “the love manga “a safe place to try on different 2005): 4D. characters in [boys’ love] combine male and identities without consequence—where we 5. B. Accomando. “Librarians Harvest New female traits according to readers’ desires, can resolve our problems and face our Manga Titles at Comic-con,” All Things creating a sort of perfect hermaphroditic fears,” an accepted goal of young adult Considered, www.npr.org/templates/story/ creature.”55 This third gender could be seen fiction since its inception.59 story.php?storyId=92998234 (accessed as a unique composite of each reader’s Will teens growing up on manga July 28, 2008). desires. It is a gender that exists outside of absorb more enlightened views of gender 6. Ibid. the more fixed identity of an adult, or roles and sexuality? As one critic observes, 7. “Manga Bonanza,” Publisher’s Weekly (Dec. outside the constricting societal expectations “[Y]oung Americans are seeing portrayals 6, 2004): 38. of conventional gender roles. This recalls of sex and gender that are quite different 8. A. Allison. Permitted and Prohibited the female fans of the Takarazuka Revue, to from what their parents probably saw.”60 Desires: Mothers, Comics and Censorship in whom the “key to liberation...involves not Our more “open universe” includes more Japan. Berkeley: University of California a change of sex but a new gender identity, opportunities for dialogue, and in the last Press, 2000: 56–58. and by extension, a transformation in four years transgender characters and 9. Ibid. gender ideology,” and Oscar in The Rose of issues have begun to arrive in young adult 10. G. Gustines. “Girl Power Fuels Manga Versailles, who proves that gender-bending fiction.61 Novels such as Julie Anne Boom in U.S.” New York Times (Dec. 28, is often not much more than cross- Peters’s Luna and Ellen Wittlinger’s 2004): E1. dressing.56 By offering readers opportunities Parrotfish “are paving the way for an entire 11. Heidi MacDonald. “Understanding to contemplate privately a break with canon of transgender-inclusive YA Otaku. The Beat: The News Blog of societal expectations, Welker notes that literature.”62 These are still serious ‘issue’ Comics Culture,” Publishers Weekly, boys’ love offers readers “a way through the books, however, and are far from the http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/ looking glass to a world outside the playful fantasies of boys’ love and gender- blog/2007/12/13/understanding-otaku/ patriarchy.”57 It is to be hoped that fans of bending manga. A recent release, however, (accessed June 9, 2009). boys’ love will live their lives with the same may be the Ranma [1/2] of young adult 12. E. Rockefeller. “The Genre of Gender: freedom. Welker continues: “[U]ltimately, fiction: Lauren McLaughlin’s 2008 debut The Emerging Canon of Transgender- the beautiful boy can be read as a symbol of Cycler, in which character Jill McTeague Inclusive YA Literature.” Horn Book 83, liberation,” and a force to “posit possibilities turns into a boy every twenty-eight days. no. 5 (2007): 519. beyond the norm, or, indeed a different McLaughlin’s work mixes the fantastic 13. A. Pattee. “The Secret Source: Sexually future for the norm itself.”58 situations and humor of manga with the Explicit Young Adult Literature as an more grounded contemplation of young Information Source. “Young Adult Library adult fiction, and this is an encouraging Services 4, no. 2 (2006): 30–8. sign. The format and history of manga 14. M. Cart and C. Jenkins. The Heart Has Its Cross-Pollination allows for stories that go beyond the Reasons: Young Adult Literature With Gay/ Between Manga and conventions of most western young adult Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969–2004, Young Adult Fiction, or literature, and young adult literature Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2006: 128. “Who Knew I Would benefits from its inclusion. YALS 15. Rockefeller, 526. Gender-Bend Everyone 16. K L. Donelson and A P. Nilsen. Literature Out of Shape?!” for Today’s Young Adults. Glenview, Ill.: References Scott, Foresman, 1980. There is less of a need to convince public 17. P. Gravett. Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese and school librarians to add manga to their 1. Reid, Calvin. “Manga is Here to Stay,” Comics. New York: Harper Design young adult collections than there is a need Publishers Weekly, Oct. 20, 2003. International, 2004.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 37 Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga

18. Ibid. 34. Ogi, 178. 46. Ho. 19. Ibid. 35. J. D. Ho. “Gender Alchemy: The 47. Brenner, “Romance by Any Other 20. Ibid. Transformative Power of Manga.” Horn Name,” 44. 21. J. Robertson. Takarazuka: Sexual Politics Book 83, no. 5 (2007): 506. 48. Brenner, “Boy Meets Boy and Girl Meets and Popular Culture in Modern Japan. 36. J. Welker. “Beautiful, Borrowed, and Bent: Girl, Otaku Style,” 213. Berkeley: University of California Press, ‘Boys’ Love’ as Girls Love in Shojo Manga.” 49. Rockefeller, 523. 1998: 146. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and 50. Cart and Jenkins, 107. 22. Robertson, 142–3. Society 31, no. 3 (2006) 855. 51. Welker, 848. 23. Ibid., 86. 37. Ibid., 865. 52. Ho, 510. 24. Allison, 57. 38. Ibid. 53. Ibid. 25. F. Ogi. “Gender Insubordination in 39. Cart and Jenkins. 54. Welker, 852; Welker, 849. Japanese Comics (Manga) for Girls,” in 40. J. Thompson. Manga: The Complete Guide. 55. Thompson, 416–417 Illustrating Asia: Comics, Humor Magazines, New York: Ballantine Books, 2007. 56. Robertson, 87. and Picture Books, ed. J A. Lent. Honolulu: 41. Welker, 842–3. 57. Welker, 865. University of Hawai’i Press, 2001: 184 42. K, Cha. “ Manga: What Girls Like?” 58. Ibid., 866. 26. Ibid., 173. Publishers Weekly (March 27, 2005): 45. 59. Ho, 512 27. Ibid. 43. Gravett. 60. M. Cornog and T. Perper. “Non-Western 28. Ibid. 44. R, Brenner. “Boy Meets Boy and Girl Meets Sexuality Comes to the U.S.: A Crash 29. Ibid., 176 Girl, Otaku Style.” Voice of Youth Advocates Course in Manga and Anime for 30. Ibid. (VOYA) 31, no. 3 (2008): 212–15. Sexologists.” Contemporary Sexuality 39, 31. Ibid., 180. 45. 22. R, Brenner. “Romance by Any Other no. 3 (2005): 3–6. 32. Gravett. Name.” Library Journal 132, no. 15 61. Rockefeller, 519. 33. Ogi, 184. (September 15, 2007): 44. 62. Ibid.

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his action research project describes the impact a love for Bullies, Gangs, and T reading and access to books had on incarcerated youth and the adults directly working with them. Through adults working inside a juvenile detention center a Books for Young library was established, young adult (YA) books were made available, and literature discussion groups were conducted. The positive results dispel the myth of high Adults illiteracy rates associated with people serving time for criminal offenses. The act of establishing a library in one detention By Stan Steiner and center evolved into academic course work that brought educators, social workers, and Ben Steiner criminal justice students and professionals together for the first time. This action research had ramifications in the surrounding communities and other state agencies working with youth at risk. Suggestions for preventing problems magazine.” It bothered Ben that these kids Even students in a typical junior/senior associated with juveniles in schools and had no access to reading materials. I high school on the outside go from one communities are part of the outcomes in suggested that he ask his supervisor why subject class to another with little time for this paper. A list of YA books around the there were no books. Ben was told that no leisure reading during the school day. One theme of youth at risk is included. one had proposed the idea before, but there study found that adolescents who engage in was no budget for books anyway. When leisure reading do it in the privacy of their 1 A Conversation Ben learned this information, he decided to own bedrooms. Ben noticed, however, start a library. I donated the first few boxes that it did not take the juvies long before “Dad, they don’t even have a library!” my of books to help Ben out. they let their guard down and began to son exclaimed. Ben had just graduated with The next day, the boxes were back on read in the commons area. Ironically, the a degree in criminal justice and this was his my kitchen table. Ben explained that no detention center may have provided a safe first week on the job at a juvenile detention hardcover books were allowed. Potentially, space for pleasure reading free from the center. As a professor of children’s and YA they could be used as weapons. So we social pressures of athletics, jobs, music, literature, I was just as perplexed by Ben’s repacked the boxes with paperbacks. The Web surfing, computer gaming, and fitting observation. When Ben was growing up he books were placed on a table in a general into social groups kids experience on the was surrounded by books. We think all gathering room of the detention center. outside. Of course we do not recommend kids deserve the same advantages. Ben returned to work the day after detention centers as a cure for adolescent “What do these kids do all day if they bringing in the books. The boxes on the reading, but we do agree with findings on don’t read?” I asked Ben. tables were empty! There were no books adolescent reading associated with access, “Watch some television, listen to lying around. After nosing around a bit, he choice, and engaged time discussing music, go to classes and do some homework. discovered that the books had disappeared literature. Nothing exciting. This place [detention with the juvies to their cell blocks. This Reading in the commons area of the center] is like a prison for adults,” he replied was a new phenomenon. None of the kids juvenile detention center provided a in a matter of fact manner. had been observed reading outside their healthy escape from the stark surroundings “Don’t they do some reading with individual cell blocks before. As an of their individual holding cells. The their homework?” I inferred. educator interested in behavior associated commons area is furnished with tables, “Yeah, but there are no novels or with reading, I assumed these kids did not chairs, and a television (with restricted interesting books to read. I have yet to see a want to be seen reading by their peers. programming and viewing hours), although

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there are no windows to tell day from later, Ben left the detention center and took coworkers at the detention center reported night. This room has a high ceiling and is a job as a juvenile probation officer in the that most of the juvies were spending their completely open to cell blocks on two next county, but we continued to hear about free time reading instead of watching levels. Individual cell blocks are bleak. Each the book project. By coincidence, the father television or just sleeping in their cell blocks. includes a stainless steel toilet stool with no of one of my college students worked at the With all the interest in reading, Stella lid, a sink, a raised platform with a thin same detention center. Tina was taking my wanted to try literature groups with the vinyl covered mattress about two inches YA literature class. She asked if Ben was my juvies, but there were few multiple copies of thick, a blanket, and pillow. Light inside son. Her father had told her about Ben books and she was not sure Tim would go the cell blocks comes from a single bulb bringing books to start a library. Tina for the idea. Stella was experiencing a overhead and two windows, one in the reported that the paperback books were modified version of literature groups in her door, disallowing any privacy, and another getting pretty tattered from use and wanted children’s literature class at the university. small window constructed of two glass to know if I had more to donate. We talked Tim already told her there was no budget to bricks. From the commons area, hallways about the detention center and Tina decided buy more books. We talked some more and accessed through secure doors lead to to adopt the library as her class project. She between the two of us, decided we would classrooms, lock down rooms, the kitchen, worked with her father to get bookshelves find a way to cover the book costs if Tim and dining room. To enter and leave the andfindapprovedlocationsfortheminthe approved of the literature groups. I commons area, a person must pass through detention center. She filled them with more recommended two books on literature circles a series of locked checkpoints with guards donated books. Ben’s seedling idea had taken to Stella to provide some background much like airport security. The classrooms root and was growing. information before she approached Tim on are off limits to students unless there is a A year passed and our work demands the idea, Literature Circles: Voice and Choice teacher present and the detainees are carried us farther away from the detention in the Student Centered Classroom by Daniels attending classes. At other times, the center library project. I was busy with my (1994) and Getting Started With Literature rooms are locked. The juvenile detention university workload and Ben was pursuing a Circles by Schlick-Noe and Benson (1999).4 center is like a prison. Teenaged juvies are masters degree in criminal justice. One My first title suggestion was Touching Spirit under the age of eighteen and some are as afternoon, however, a student came by my Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. I encouraged her to young as eleven years old. Most are serving office to ask for help on a project she was read it first to become familiar with the one- to nine-month sentences, but never undertaking for a children’s literature class. content and decide how she might use the more than a year. Some are repeat Stella told me she worked part time at the book with the kids at the detention center. offenders. Infractions include breaking juvenile detention center and wanted to Stella went on to share Touching Spirit Bear state cigarette smoking laws for persons know how to start literature groups. She with the director. Tim loved the book, too, under eighteen, truancy, running away found my name while thumbing through the and approved of the literature groups. Now from home, auto theft, aggravated assault, books at the center. She said several had my there would be solid proof that these kids and breaking and entering. These kids name inside the cover. I explained that Ben were reading as they whittled away the were once attending public schools and will had worked at the detention center, too, and hours of their jail sentence. Ben’s seedling likely return when they get out. had started the library. I also mentioned idea was flourishing. Ben and I took the book usage inside Tina and her father’s helpful contributions. The first title was a hit and the the detention center as a good thing. One Stella shared that she had been working at literature discussion groups were off to a social stigma imposed on juvenile the center on a part-time basis for about four good start. I suggested to Stella that she delinquents is the generalization that they months and had really enjoyed working with read some of the book to them as she have reading difficulties.3 Reading level the kids and the director, Tim. This began introduced the story. I also suggested she didn’t seem to be a hindrance at this an ongoing weekly dialogue with Stella over tape it or get a copy from the library in case detentioncenter.Benwasabletoroundupa the course of a semester. She said Tim’s there were struggling or nonreaders who few more books and circulation remained classroom setting focused on coping skills, still wanted to participate. Tim had a tape constant. There was no formal check out anger management, and positive attitudes. recorder in his classroom. Our framework system inside the detention center, but “He even has them read some books,” Stella for the literature group tasks was loosely books passed between juvies and since this reported. Tim also noticed the impact the based on Daniels’ (1994) model for was their temporary residence the books library was having on these kids. I learned literature groups.5 We talked about groups stayed within the center. A few months through Stella that Tim and other of five students each with designated roles

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to play, from discussion leader to books in the detention center library was interesting developments and discoveries illustrator. As she experimented, Stella the best working arrangement. She learned resulting from their move toward free tailored the literature groups to the unique that students showed variation in reading choice. Staff members were prompted to setting. In the detention center there is interests, books were passed among read some of the same books and they always a turnover of residents to contend students based on personal began to engage the students in dialogue with, making the literature group dynamics recommendations, and the juvies enjoyed about characters or book content. ever changing. We discovered small groups talking about their books. On the day I Student book choices and the authors became a challenge because of attrition. Of participated, there were thirteen students surprised me. More titles had been added course I was curious about the students’ and three staff members, including Tim. to my original donation. These included ability to write, so I asked Stella if she We sat in a large circle around two tables books by Ben Grisham, V. C. Andrews, could get them to record some of their and chatted as we ate lunch, but the book Christopher Paul Curtis, Robert R. reactions or draw pictures as they read or discussion began in earnest when most had McCammon, Stephen R. Covey, Will listened to the story. Some sample student eaten. Each student took a turn talking Hobbs, Anthony Horowitz, Tamora comments were clear indications of their about the book they were reading or had Pierce, and Chris Crutcher. It was clear personal connections to the book. The just finished. I received no indication that that these kids were readers. They had a subject material provided a way for them to this was rehearsed or that they were lot of time on their hands on the inside; talk about their own struggles with the law: putting on a show for me. They seemed through their teachers’ encouragement, comfortable saying what they had on their reading provided an escape as well as a This is fun, were just chillin listenin to a minds. Some students made comments if social activity. This evidence of reading story havin a good time. Story is tight I they had read the same book. Tim often among juvenile delinquents also is in like it. I can relate to it because the kid probed with a guiding question to get them contrast to the high percentage of adult Cole is careless about breaking the law to talk more. The setting was subdued and inmates who are functionally illiterate or just like I do but you always get the respectful without the usual interruptions the predictors associated with reading worst end of it. Troy that often occur in a regular classroom, but success in the early grades used in at least The story’s pretty good, and we’re there was an excitement, with several one state to determine prison cells.6 Is having fun drawing pics of what’s going students who clearly loved the book they reading among these juvies an anecdote to on in the book tape. I can relate because were reading. further trouble with the law? Perhaps this Cole likes to be in control of where his I was surprised by my observation of is another scenario of leisure reading that life is going, and isn’t thinking about the the literature groups because I had needs further study, as suggested by Tim reprocussions of his actions. Matt assumed they were all reading the same Shanahan’s (2006) editorial piece in book. Stella and Tim said this still Reading Today.7 Knowing the life Stella had the groups going and Tim occurred, but mostly the literature group outcomes of the juvies we worked with was amazed at how easily the kids joined experience had morphed into free-choice once they returned to their neighborhood in. Tim and Stella invited me to observe reading. With more books available, Tim schools and life on the outside was beyond what was taking place at the detention and Stella had developed a book evaluation the scope of this paper. We did learn from center. I had hoped for this day, since my system that asked students a series of our work that access, choice, and curiosity was peaked. The staff greeted me questions such as: title, author, number of discussion around literature did have a with warmth and ease. They all knew and pages, genre, characters, summary, how rewarding effect on the juvies while inside remembered my son Ben. The kids were they related to the story, adventure scale 1- the detention center. Much of their down equally comfortable with my presence. I 10, favorite part or character, time was used for reading, and we looked discovered that the literature groups were recommendation, vocabulary words, did at that as a positive use of time with really one large group that varied in size they like the ending, and what would you potential positive benefits later. depending on the number of students who write differently if you wrote the book. I was elated that Ben’s initial book wanted to participate and how many were These written responses became useful idea had evolved into a regular part of the residents at the time. As mentioned, guides for students sharing their book. educational program at the detention student turnover was commonplace. Stella Stella, Tim, and the staff got the evidence center. I was pleased that Ben and I had learned over the course of the semester that they wanted to prove that the students had found a way to share our common love of the flexibility of personal choice from the read the books. There were some other reading. Also, the two of us had many

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discussions about youth in public schools, Ben had decided we should show a broke the silence by saying, “not exactly incarcerated youth, juvenile probation film, Kids (1995), on the very first day that Academy Award winning material,” which officers, and school personnel. Another would bring awareness of today’s got a laugh. Then we asked for comments. idea emerged. At this time, Ben was near adolescents.8 Although I hadn’t viewed the The first person to speak was an elderly completion of his master’s degree in film, I trusted Ben’s judgment. After we lady who had mentioned in the criminal justice. His thesis chair was also gave the usual introductions and Ben introductions that she was retired and the department chair at my university. I queued the film, I gazed over the audience. taking the class purely for enrichment and proposed an idea to Ben about co-teaching The class was a mix of students from curiosity. She said, “I am surprised how the a university class crosslisted with different fields of study, work experience, lines [pick up lines from males, i.e., ‘I love education, criminal justice, and sociology. and diverse ranges of age and ethnicity. you so much,’ ‘trust me,’ ‘I just want to The department chairs mutually agreed. Some students I recognized from prior make you happy,’ ‘do you care about me’] These departments represented three classes within the College of Education, have not changed in all these years.” We groups of professionals who work with kids but others were new to me. Ben knew some could not have asked for a better response and families but all too often run parallel from the Criminal Justice Department, had we staged the whole thing. The tracks with each other that do not while others were actively working with ensuing discussion was lively and nobody intersect. We envisioned the class as a good adolescents in some other capacity. As the left the room, nor dropped the class. From way to begin more dialogue among the film rolled on, I became more and more that moment, the class took shape in professional groups. We combined my nervous about the content. Though our amazing ways. expertise about schools and adolescent university is nestled in a liberal pocket of a We learned many things from our literature with Ben’s knowledge of the large urban city, our state is predominantly diverse students. The characteristics and juvenile justice system and called the class conservative in its political and religious behaviors of the teenagers we discussed Bullies, Gangs, and Books for Young views. The teenaged main character of the were mirrored in the YA books we Adults. The combination was a fresh idea film was obsessed with sex. He was always suggested for reading. The books were the that turned out to be popular among trying to hit on girls. One line in the film centerpiece of our discussions and opened students across the different fields. he says often, “\\cking is what I love, take the door for many discoveries about Enrollment numbers were high. that from me and I have nothing.” The adolescents, so unique and different from Ben and I made plans, and the content same character also contracted AIDS, but elementary aged students. Below are a few of the class began to take shape. I suggested was unaware of it because his health was book connections to the adolescent a list of YA novels (see bibliography) in still intact. The film also depicted the lives behaviors discussed with a complete YA which students would select any two as of several other youth in a city setting. list from the class in the bibliography: part of the reading for class. I wanted to Scenes included drinking, smoking, model literature discussion groups as part socializing, partying, experimenting with l Adolescents on the edge lack strong of the class. Ben suggested several films to drugs, involvement with group-related social ties and are often antisocial— set the tone of the class. We also decided to violence, sexual activity, athletic feats, and Touching Spirit Bear by Ben bring in guest speakers relevant to our life in varied family structures. Parental Mikaelsen; Freak the Mighty by overall theme, which included: a school and adult interactions ranged from tension Rodman Philbrick. resource officer (SRO), law enforcement to laughter. In many ways these kids l Computer gaming is often an escape experts on gang activity, a colleague from looked quite normal on the outside, feeling world for them—Crusader by Edward the Department of Criminal Justice who immortal, unclear about facts related to Bloor. specialized in school violence, active school sex, influenced by older siblings, maturing l Most offenders begin with nonserious social workers, and community members faster physically than mentally, submitting delinquent acts, have poor school who directed activities or worked with to peer pressure, searching for guidance but attitudes and performance, and often youth. Our class plans had the right wanting to be independent, and being suffer from some psychological disorders combination of lecture, media adventurous. The date rape scene was (i.e., depression, anorexia, self-destructive presentations, speakers, group activities, probably the segment of the film that behaviors, anxiety, etc.)—Staying Fat For and discussion. I was excited about the bothered me the most. I surveyed the class Sarah Byrnes, Whale Talk,andIronman, class and the chance to teach with my son. nervously, knowing some of their religious all by Chris Crutcher; AHoleinMyLife This was a first for both of us. backgrounds. At last, the film ended. I by Jack Gantos.

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l Outside school factors also play a role, Ben and I had hoped from the outset this branching idea, one of our class such as the community in which these that class discussions around YA books participants started a library from scratch kids live—Scorpions by Walter Dean and presentations would foster dialogue in the alternative high school where she is Myers. among these students from many walks of teaching. Her efforts were noticed. This l Is their neighborhood poverty stricken? life. Our class of varied professionals past summer she was hired as a consultant Are drugs readily available? How do exceeded our hopes, creating a host of to create a library in a newly built local laws view sex offenders, firearm recommendations and considerations for alternative high school. This time they gave possession, or family physical abuse? — school and community settings, found as her a budget. In various high school Monster by Walter Dean Myers; Hero an appendix to this article. An overriding neighborhoods, parental groups are by S. L. Rottman; We’re Not Monsters: theme through all the discussions and meeting with school personnel to dialogue Teens Speak Out About Teens in suggestions was to have a presence with our about substance abuse. Youth task forces Trouble by Sabina Solin Weill; When youth. Don’t sit back and assume others are popping up in area high schools. She Hollers by Cynthia Voigt. will be their mentors. Of course our goal as Neighboring communities are inviting gang l Is there an accepted expectation for professionals, parents, and community activity experts from law enforcement adults and adolescents in the members who interact with youth is to connections to raise awareness and head off community to spend time in prisons or keep them out of trouble and out of potential problems. I have conducted detention centers?—Somewhere in the detention centers. numerous workshops about adolescents at Darkness by Walter Dean Myers; Life This article grew out of real life risk with colleagues, staff members, and in Prison by Stanley “Tookie” Wilson. experience, but it all began with a love for teachers who work in public schools or l Another characteristic is the media’s reading and the desire to share this passion facilities for incarcerated youth. Ben portrayal of these communities. Do with kids who had made big mistakes. decided to combine two of his passions, they use stereotypes? Do they Since the idea first took root, the adult working with juvies and teaching adults, by generalize the families as transient, participants have grown in various ways. working on a doctorate in criminal justice. single-parent families, and Tim, the director of the juvenile detention A seed planted among people who share a unemployed?—Hermanas/Sisters by center, still runs literature discussion love of books and a genuine concern for Gary Paulsen; Always Running La groups and the library keeps growing as youth continues to flourish. YALS Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis others in the community hear about our Rodriguez; Buried Onions by Gary story and feel compelled to donate books. Soto. According to Tim, free-choice reading References l Additional factors that contribute to among the juvies is still the favored activity delinquency include a history of family for passing time on the inside. The idea is 1. Stan Steiner, DongRo Shin, and Diane problems such as psychological and spreading, too. Across the state in another Boothe. “Leisure Reading: Impacting the emotional abuse and physical abuse; residential setting for adolescents on the Affective Domain Across Borders.” emotional trauma is more devastating edge, known as a youth ranch, a counselor Affective Reading Education Journal 23 to the children—Forged by Fire by who attended the class reads aloud to his (Summer 2006): 23-31. Sharon Draper; Cages by Peg Kehret residents each night before they drift off to 2. William G. Brozo. To Be a Boy, to Be a l Another factor is parents who deny sleep. He reported that throughout the day Reader: Engaging Teen and Preteen Boys in that their child could do anything residents ask if he “is going to read to them Active Literacy. (Newark, Del.: wrong—Tangerine by Edward Bloor; tonight” despite the attrition that naturally International Reading Association, 2002.); Split Image by Mel Glenn. occurs at the youth ranch. Tina’s interest in Jill Lewis and Gary Moorman, eds. l Schools also exhibited a host of risk YA literature blossomed as she read and Adolescent Literacy Instruction: Policies and factors for youth such as students who continued to collect books. She shifted Promising Practices. (Newark, N.J.: committed crimes early, showed from wanting to be a teacher to becoming a International Reading Association, 2007); persistent antisocial behavior, librarian. She was recently promoted to Michael W. Smith and Jeffrey Wilhelm. experienced academic failure Youth Services Director at a library in Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys: Literacy in particularly in reading and math, had Alaska. Stella, now working full-time in a the Lives of Young Men. (Portsmouth, been retained, felt isolated, and lacked preschool, returned to work on a graduate N.H.: Heinemann, 2002); Marsha M. commitment to school. degree in reading. In another offshoot from Sprague and Kara K. Keeling. Discovering

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Their Voices: Engaging Adolescent Girls Randy Blazek and Wayne Wooden. Renegade Ben Mikaelsen. Touching Spirit Bear. (New With Young Adult Literature. (Newark, Kids, Suburban Outlaws. (Belmont, Calif.: York: HarperCollins, 2001). Del.: International Reading Association, Wadsworth, 1995). Walter Dean Myers. Scorpions. (New York: 2007). Edward Bloor. Crusader. (San Diego, Calif.: Harper & Row, 1988). 3. Judith K. Franzak. “Zoom. A Review of Harcourt, 1999). Walter Dean Myers. Somewhere in the Darkness. Literature on Marginalized Adolescent Edward Bloor. Tangerine. (San Diego, Calif.: (New York: Scholastic, 1992). Readers, Literacy Theory, and Policy Harcourt, 1997). Walter Dean Myers. Slam! (New York: Implications.” Review of Educational Michael Cadnum. Edge. (New York: Puffin, 1997). Scholastic Press, 1996). Research 76 no. 2 (2006): 209-48. Caroline Cooney. Driver’s Ed. (New York: Walter Dean Myers. Bad Boy: A Memoir. (New 4. Harvey Daniels. Literature Circles: Voice Bantam, 1994). York: HarperCollins, 2001). and Choice in the Student-Centered Robert Cormier. The Chocolate War. (New Walter Dean Myers. Monster. (New York: Classroom. (Portland, Me.: Stenhouse, York: Dell-Laurel Leaf, 1974). HarperCollins, 1999). 1994). Robert Cormier. We All Fall Down. (New Gary Paulsen. Hermanas/Sisters. (San Diego, 5. Katherine Slick-Noe and Nancy J. York: Delacorte Press, 1991). Calif.: Harcourt, 1993). Johnson. Getting Started With Literature Robert Cormier. The Rag and Bone Shop. (New Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty. (New Circles. (Norwood, Mass.: Christopher- York: Delacorte Press, 2001). York: Scholastic, 1993). Gordon, 1999). Chris Crutcher. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. Kristine Randle. Breaking Rank. (New York: 6. James Hollifield. “Poor Basic Skills: (New York: Greenwillow Books, 1993). HarperCollins, 2001). Common Denominator of a Society at Chris Crutcher. Ironman. (New York: Adam Rapp. The Buffalo Tree. (New York: Risk.” R & D Review 3 no. 1 (1988): 2; as HarperCollins, 1995). HarperCollins, 1997). cited in Hope At Last for At-Risk Youth Chris Crutcher. Whale talk. (New York: Luis Rodriguez. Always Running la Vida Loca: by Robert D. Barr and William H. Parrett Greenwillow Books, 2001). Gang days in L.A. (New York: 1995 Allyn & Bacon, Boston.“Mark of Sharon Draper. Forged by Fire. (New York: Touchstone, 1993). Cain.” Newsweek (January 15, 1990): 6; Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997). SL.Rottman.Hero. (New York: Penguin, 1997). James McPartland and Robert Slavin. Virginia Wolff Euwer. Make Lemonade. (New Gary Soto. Buried Onions. (New York: Policy Perspectives: Increasing Achievement York: Henry Holt, 1993). HarperCollins, 1997). of At-Risk Students at Each Grade Level. Paul Fleischman. Whirligig. (New York: Henry Todd Strasser. Give a Boy a Gun. (New York: (Washington, D.C.: U. S. Department of Holt, 1998). Simon & Schuster, 2000). Education, 1990). Jack Gantos,. Joey Pigza Swallows a Key. (New Cynthia Voigt. When She Hollers. (New York: 7. Timothy Shanahan. “Does He Really York: HarperCollins, 1998). Scholastic, 2001). Think Kids Shouldn’t Read?” Reading Jack Gantos. Joey Pigza Loses Control. (New Sabrina Solin Weill. We’re Not Monsters: Teens Today 23 no. 6 (2006): 12. York: HarperCollins, 2000). Speak out About Teens in Trouble. (New 8. Larry Clark. Kids [film]. (New York: Jack Gantos. Hole in My Life. (New York: York: HarperCollins, 2002). Vidmark Entertainment, 1995). Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002). Stanley “Tookie” Wilson. Life in Prison. (New Mel Glenn Split Image. (New York: York: SeaStar Books, 2001). HarperCollins, 2000). Young Adult Literature JoAnn Bren Guernsey. Youth Violence: An Cited and Used for Class American Epidemic? (Minneapolis, Minn.: Appendix Lerner Publishing Group, 1996). Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak. (New York: Virginia Hamilton. The Planet of Junior Brown. Recommendations For Farrar Straus Giroux, 1999). (New York: Macmillan, 1971). Schools and Communities Anonymous. Go Ask Alice. (New York: Simon Lorri Hewett. Soulfire. (New York: Dutton, 1998). Focused on Adolescents Pulse, 1971). Peg Kehret. Cages. (New York: Penguin S. Beth Atkin. Voices From the Street: Young Putnam, 1991). l When positive role models are not Former Gang Members Tell Their Stories. David Klass. You Don’t Know Me. (New York: available, students will drift toward (New York: Little, Brown, 1996). Frances Foster Books, 2001). gangs to meet their need to belong. To Avi. Nothing But the Truth. (New York: Chris Lynch. Iceman. (New York: avoid this misguided direction, set up a Orchard Books, 1991). HarperCollins, 1994). task force with parents, school

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personnel, school resource officers, includes strategies to improve self- of size, must act on any gang-related probation officers, and other adults in esteem, anger management skills, activities immediately and not live in the community who work with family dynamics-related issues, denial until it is too late. adolescents. sexuality, and positive social skills. l Offer opportunities for parents and l Schools need to take action to create a l Set clear rules and treat students the community to learn about climate that welcomes students. fairly. Students seek respect just like available services ranging from gang l School staff need to seek out kids on any adult. Develop a climate in the prevention and youth activities to the edge and communicate with them community that shows empathy, not support groups and adult mentoring on a daily basis. Schools need to judgmental behavior, toward youth. programs. organize activities that keep kids on l Channel students toward other l In addition, students who were held campus over the noon hour and seek subjects and interests besides accountable by a school that lacked input from students on what they academics, such as creative writing, appropriate services, such as school think would make the school a computer graphics, drawing, and all counselors, school resource officers, welcoming place. aspects of music including composing social workers, reading and study l Create mentoring programs with and recording. skills support staff, parenting community and faculty members. l Communities must take responsibility workshops, and alternative school l Offer a host of choices, from therapy for teens rather than leaving it all to options, have led to delinquent groups to courses in which the content the schools. Communities, regardless behavior.

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 45 feature

nearby peers, and then concentrate on the writing task at hand. The Age of _____? After approximately ten minutes, Christina invites discussion. A young man against the far wall begins. “I wrote that Using Young Adult this is the age of sexuality.” “Interesting,” says Christina, her eyebrows rising. “Why do you think that?” Literature to Make He explains that sex is everywhere: it is used in advertising, you hear about it in the news, you can get it on the Internet, and it Sense of the is even in the movies. A small group of two boys and a girl giggle. They volunteer that Disney movies Contemporary World are inundated with sexual imagery and tension. “Can you give me an example?” asks Christina. A young man explains that The By Thomas Philion Little Mermaid is pretty charged with sexual energy, and more laughter follows. “Sex is what everyone is most concerned about,” the young man who started this conversation, closes. I smile, assuming he means teenagers, but recall Literature is the expression of a education; she is about 50 400, and looks like that more than a few adults are obsessed nation’s mind in writing. she could have played a supporting role in with this topic, judging from the popularity —William Ellery Channing the movie My Cousin Vinny. of reruns of Sex And The City. “Ok, everyone, the journal prompt is Another young man, Scott, raises his hirty-two boisterous seniors make on the board, I’ll read it out loud.” hand: “I wrote that this is the age of fear.” their way into Room 422 of Morris Christina’s voice is barely audible above the Scott’s classmates are still exchanging T High School, a comprehensive high excited chatter of her students, who are comments related to the previous proposal, school of approximately 2,400 students continuing conversations started in the so Christina waits for quiet and asks him to located in Jeffersonville, Illinois.1 The hallways, on their cell phones, and during repeat what he has said. energy of these seniors parallels the vibrancy the preceding lunch period. She walks Scott does so, and accepts Christina’s of this sprawling, formerly rural community, toward her mentor teacher’s desk, and invitation to elaborate. He talks about located about forty-five minutes northwest gently swipes at the chimes that hang from 9/11, and the increased concern that he of downtown Chicago. New housing the ceiling. Her students respond perceives with regard to security, both developments and strip malls line Laramie appropriately, and Christina reads aloud the nationally and locally. A student sitting Road, a busy, four-lane thoroughfare words that she has written on the board: next to him talks about fears in the media adjacent to the school. Jeffersonville is a If you had to choose a word to regarding child safety, teenage driving, and community on the move, up and coming, complete the phrase “The Age of sexual predators. Christina looks surprised, embodying many of the social trends and ______” to describe the time in and asks if anyone else has “fear” as a values of 21st century America. which we live, what word would you descriptor for the current time period. A Despite the energy and large class size, choose, and why? smattering of hands wave in the air. the student teacher that I am here to Perhaps because the question interests Over the next several minutes, other observe, Christina Russo, appears calm, them, or maybe because Christina has responses are shared. One student suggests confident, and poised. Christina is an earned their respect, these seniors do not that this is the age of technology, with all undergraduate at Roosevelt University, scoff, nor do they ask dilatory questions. sorts of new developments in computers completing her studies in secondary English Instead, they briefly bat around ideas with and telecommunication devices. Another

46 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Philion

proposes that this is the age of unrest, perhaps because I feel a need to understand to read forty books drawn from four exemplified by the war in Iraq and tensions better the nature of the time in which I YALSA booklists published in 2007: the that exist among a host of nations and live, and how I ought to act within it. Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, people. A young man echoes this idea, the Alex Awards, the Top Ten Quick calling our time “the age of struggle,” as Researching the Current Age Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, represented by the conflict with North Since my observation of Christina Russo’s and the Teens Top Ten. I also decided to Korea, and ongoing debates between lesson, I have completed a pilot study of read An Abundance of Katherines, by John Democrats and Republicans. the current age. This essay represents a Green, because it was the only finalist for After this last student speaks, report of my investigation, and the the 2007 Printz Award not listed among Christina begins a lecture about the Age implications for teen librarians and other the Top Ten Best Books for Young of Reason. She explains that there are members of the YALSA. Adults. many different ways of describing the To understand the current age, I did I selected these texts, from among period of time from 1600-1800 CE, just as not immerse myself in social science others that I could have chosen, because there are many different ways of describing research, nor did I examine the plethora of most were published in 2006, and our current time period, but the “Age of nonfiction that has been written in recent therefore were written within the Reason” is one label that has stuck, that years exploring the changes that have circumstances about which I desired is still in circulation today, because it occurred in the world since the dawn of the insight. In addition, I assumed that all of captures an important dimension of this 21st century. I did not travel the world, or these books had the potential to be taught historical era. even the United States, in search of face- or read in schools or teen book clubs, since As Christina turns on her overhead to-face knowledge. Instead, I did what they had been recognized as exemplary and begins to outline significant people and advocates of young adult literature do. I within their respective categories; this was events associated with the Age of Reason, I read young adult literature. important because I wanted to model an look down at the desk in front of me. On a I read young adult literature for one examination of literature that English piece of paper are the words “the age of simple reason: I believe that readers have teachers and other youth advocates could artificiality,” response to the capacity to use literary discourse and employ in schools and libraries, with Christina’s question. In support of this knowledge to generate useful insights on modifications. Last but not least, because idea, I had noted the prevalence of designer the world. With a variety of reading the population of the United States is labels in this classroom, as well as the many experts, I believe that readers generate such younger and more diverse now than at any new homes and apparel stores just outside insights when they are able to create “text- other time in history, I felt it was its walls. I also had referred to the lack of to-world connections,” or linkages between imperative to read texts representing an social and ethnic diversity among the literary language and messages and ethnically and socially diverse mix of young students around me—something I know is prevailing social issues and contexts.2 adult protagonists and situations.3 Using inconsistent with the demographics of this Although many people, maybe most, the YALSA booklists enabled me to obtain area. However, in light of the discussion conceive the idea of using literature to this heterogeneity and young adult focus, that I have just heard, I am rethinking my generate insights on the contemporary because the booklists have different goals proposal. Maybe there is more to this world as analogous to the conviction that and orientations, and therefore embody a classroom, and the contemporary age, than life exists on other planets, I take the variety of protagonists and situations meets the eye. opposite position. I believe that literature centered upon the experiences of young What labels might we apply to the opens up windows on the world just as adults. current age in which we live? And how clear and powerful as the vantage points Having decided upon the texts that I might English teachers and other advocates provided by statistics, interviews, polls, would read for my study, I turned my of youth and literature invite teenagers to journalism, and even science. attention to the challenge of generating and research, discuss, and evaluate the The question that I faced early on in holding my insights on the contemporary possibilities? Over the remainder of my project was how to demonstrate this world. Because I had a poor record with Christina’s lesson, these are the questions power in relation to the current age. My journal writing, I went to the open that I return to, perhaps because I think first step toward solving this dilemma was platform Blogger and created a blog called such questions would be interesting to to select a list of books to read. After The Age of _____? (go to http:// explore with teenagers and other adults, considering a variety of options, I decided theageof.blogspot.com to access this blog).

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 47 The Age of _____?

I decided to publish a modified book athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael These four themes represent the review to this blog each and every time I Jordan for generating this new attitude findings of my project related to the nature finished a book on my reading list, giving among younger members of the of the current age. To be perfectly honest, special attention to what my reading American public. because these findings are derived from inspired me to notice about the It’s an interesting interpretation. literature that was published only in 2006, contemporary world. And it’s useful, too, as an explanation for I hesitate to make too much of them. This excerpt, from my review of the popularity of Stephanie Meyer’s However, I do think that they are evocative Stephanie Meyer’s , provides a Twilight series, of which I have read of the current era, and deserve further snapshot of the world-focused book merely one, New Moon, which was interrogation and study, perhaps through reviews that I generated over the duration selected in 2007 as the top pick of the an expanded examination of young adult of my project.4 Although the format of my Teens Top Ten booklist, sponsored by literature published since 9/11. book reviews changed over time, I almost YALSA. New Moon has very few In addition, I believe that these always began with a rhetorical hook, and a explicit connections to the contemporary findings suggest the outline of an argument picture of the cover of the book under world; it is about as insular and isolated in favor of inviting teens, and just about discussion. Next, I briefly summarized the as a contemporary novel can be anyone, really, to use young adult literature plot, and highlighted key literary elements, (curiously, exactly opposite the other to think critically about the nature of the themes, and especially text-to-world vampire novel that I have read for this contemporary world. This argument rests connections. To substantiate my text-to- project, Blue Bloods, by Melissa De La on the idea that young adult literature world connections, I embedded hyperlinks Cruz). But one thing you can say about enables readers to acquire perspective on to other Internet Web sites and resources, this novel is that it articulates very well the world that reaches beyond the and digital video obtained from open the blurring of cultural boundaries that experiential and improvisational. When I platforms. Typically, I ended with an Obama’s campaign also evokes, and that began my project, I really wasn’t that evaluation of the text in terms of its appeal Vecsey identifies as a defining different from the teens in Christina to teens, parents, and teachers. characteristic of the contemporary age. Russo’s classroom; I had never given much sustained thought to the current age, and I THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008 In general, I consider this snapshot a had no clear vision of the range of options I New Moon, by Stephanie Meyer strong demonstration of my approach might consider in conceptualizing its Here is a quote from a commentary a because my text-to-world connection is nature. By the end of my project, I not only couple of Sundays ago by sports writer clearly announced at the start of the review, was aware of a plethora of options for George Vecsey of The New York Times. and substantiated throughout with links to describing the contemporary world, but I He offers his own view on the other resources on the Internet (to read the also had acquired enough knowledge about popularity of Barack Obama among entire review, go to http://theageof what was going on in the world, and in today’s youth: .blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html). recently published young adult literature, “The way I see it, the younger Publishing modified book reviews like to evaluate and narrow the options. What generation is much more cool about this one to my blog enabled me to collect this tells me is that reading literature, and racial, religious and gender differences and hold the insights on the contemporary young adult literature in particular, with an than the older generations were. There world that each of my selected texts eye toward text-to-world connections really are a lot of jerks among athletes, but inspired; however, it did not enable me to does open up a window on the world. All young voters follow sports enough to be see the broader patterns and themes teen readers have to do, really, to tap into familiar with Shaquille O’Neal’s goofy embedded within my connections. this potential, is pay attention. jokes and Tiki Barber’s burning ambition Consequently, after I finished reading all of and Dontrelle Willis’s warm smile.” the books for my project, I went back to Engaging Teens Vecsey’spointisthatthisisanew my blog and re-examined all of my writing. How to help teens pay attention is, of course, age where traditional boundaries between From this examination, I identified four the critical question. Hopefully, my project white and black, sports and politics, men strong themes consistently discussed in my overview has given you some ideas about how and women, are being blurred so that reviews of YALSA recommended to embed an investigation of the cultural differences basically don’t mean as literature from 2007: fear, diversity, contemporary world within your own work much as they once did. Vecsey credits exceptionality, and creativity.5 with teens, if you are not already engaged in

48 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Philion

such inquiry. But I know that there are contemporary literature that work for your guessisthatyourstudentsorbookclub complexities to working with teens in libraries purposes, and then ask your students or members will catch on very fast to the critical and schools that I did not face in my own the teens in your book club to each select a thinking required to turn literature from mere project. Consequently, I would like to offer small number to read for the purpose of entertainment to a useful lens on the three suggestions for modifying the aims and generating together useful insights on the contemporary world. YALS methods of my inquiry to fit youth contexts. contemporary world. Suggestion number one is to take full Essentially, this is the approach that I advantage of new technologies. To tell the use in an online course on young adult References and Notes truth, when I began my project, I had never literature that I teach at my university. written to a blog, much less created one. Prior to the beginning of a six-week unit, I 1. All names and identifiers related to this Very quickly, though, I recognized the direct my students to each choose four or high school have been changed in order to advantages of blogging, especially in five books that have been nominated in the preserve the anonymity of the students and comparison to writing in a journal. In current year for inclusion on the YALSA student teacher. addition to having a much clearer sense of booklists that I cited earlier, as well as the 2. Stephanie Harvey and Ann Goudvis. audience and purpose, I had a lot more Great Graphic Novels booklist. Once my Strategies That Work: Teaching options in terms of the look, design, and undergraduate and graduate students Comprehension to Enhance Understanding even depth of my writing. Recently, I obtain their books—usually from local (Portland, Me: Stenhouse Publishers, created a blog for a middle school book libraries—they read them and post world- 2000); Chris Tovani. I Read It, But I Don’t club that I have organized, and it has been focused book reviews to a blog that I have Get It: Comprehension Strategies for fascinating for me to see how quickly the created for this purpose (see http:// Adolescent Readers (Portland, Me.: teens in this club have taken to sharing and rulift.blogspot.com). The advantage of this Stenhouse Publishers, 2000). developing ideas electronically (even approach is that even though each student 3. Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais. though, I have to admit, at first, they did only reads four or five books, they learn Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, confuse blogging with writing on AIM). I about many more books because they are and the Future of American Politics think the ability to use hyperlinks, also reading and responding to the book (Piscataway, N.J.: Rutgers University graphics, and digital video to advance reviews of their peers. At the end of this Press, 2008). personal expression and connections to unit, my students use their own posts and 4. The timeline for my project was approximately other ideas and audiences makes writing on the posts of their classmates to write essays March of 2007 to August of 2008. the Internet a terrific tool for activating explaining the insights about the 5. The theme of fear is self-explanatory; the teen interest in using literature to reflect contemporary world that they have derived diversity theme is evidenced in my review critically upon the contemporary world. from their individual and collective reading. of New Moon. I generated the theme of Whereas I learned from writing to a blog, I My third and final suggestion is to exceptionality immediately after reading suspect that teens might find social demonstrate, demonstrate, demonstrate. The An Abundance of Katherines; it refers to networking platforms like Facebook, wikis, most effective way to convey understanding of the affluence and high performance ethos and other new digital platforms just as how to write on a blog, and generate a text-to- that several social commentators associate enjoyable and productive. world connection, is simply to model. If you with the current age (Remnick, David. The My second suggestion is to alter the are working with older teens, especially New Gilded Age. The New Yorker Looks At approach to reading and research that I academically oriented ones, I would suggest The Culture of Affluence. New York: have described here such that it becomes directing them to my blog, or to the RU LIFT Modern Library, 2001; Krugman, Paul. less intensive and more team oriented. If blog that I just cited. On these sites, you will “Gilded Once More.” The New York you are leading a teen book club, you might find several good examples of book reviews Times. April 27, 2007.). My fourth theme, direct each teen in your club to read just containing text-to-world connections and creativity, speaks to the positive one or two contemporary books with the essays that present persuasive claims about the imagination that many people, especially goal of creating text-to-world connections. contemporary world based upon evidence young people, are enacting at the present Except in rare cases, I would not advise from young adult literature. If you are time (Friedman, Thomas. The World Is assigning a lot of books to individual teen working with younger or more resistant teens, Flat: A Brief History Of The 21st Century. readers; instead, I think it is more I think you can provide shorter, targeted New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, productive to find categories or lists of examples of text-to-world connections. My 2005.).

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 49 the YALSA update Association news

Find the latest YALSA news every Thursday at the YALSA Blog, http://yalsa.ala.org/blog.

Teens’ Top Ten Voting adult books to national teen book Library in Kansas City, Mo. She is discussion groups. Fifteen public libraries also the co-author of “A Year of Starts Early and school library media centers from Programming for Teens,” with Encourage Teens to Read across the country evaluate books from Amy Alessio (ALA Editions, Now, Start Voting on Aug. 24. publishers and nominate books for TTT. 2006). Make sure your teens are up to speed for Kim Patton Elected this year’s Teens’ Top Ten, in which teens YALSA Vice-president YALSA 2009 Election across the world voice their choice for their Results favorite books. Download the 2009 Teens’ YALSA members chose Kim Patton as the Top Ten nominations at www.ala.org/ association’s next vice president/president- President-Elect: Kim Patton teenstopten (you can even download elect. Patton will begin her term as Board of Directors: Sara Ryan and bookmarks to promote the titles to your president-elect in July 2009, becoming Stephanie Squicciarini teens!) and encourage teens to read them president for one term in July 2010. Councilor: Nick Buron before voting starts in August. “I am excited for the opportunity to Margaret A. Edwards Committee: Amy This year, Teens’ Top Ten voting will serve our growing membership and help Alessio, Robin Brenner, and Betsy Levine take place earlier than usual, starting ensure that YALSA remains a strong Michael L. Printz Committee: Dr. Joni August 24, and will remain open longer organization and continues the tradition of Richards Bodart, Jamie Watson, Melissa than in past years, with polls closing on providing our members with the support Rabey, and Erin Downey Howerton Sept. 18. The votes will determine the and tools they need to bring library services YALSA Nonfiction Committee: Jeanette 2009 Teens’ Top Ten booklist, which will to teens in every community,” said Patton. Larson, Don Latham, Mary Frances Long, be announced in a webcast featuring “I’d like to thank Jerene Battisti, my and Monique Franklin Superstars of World Wrestling esteemed colleague who ran for president- Interested in running for office? Entertainment during Teen Read Week, elect with me, for her continued service and Contact Paula Brehm-Heeger, chair of the October 18-24. TTT is the only national leadership to YALSA. I look forward to 2010 Nominating Committee at literary list selected and voted on entirely working with her in the future.” [email protected] (see the by teens. Patton has been an active YALSA article on page 6 for more information). Librarians seeking new titles for member for several years, serving on the readers’ advisory, collection development, YALSA Board of Directors and the Quick or simply to give to their teens as part of Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers YALSA Names Winner summer reading programming can see the committee. She also chaired the of Great Ideas Contest 2009 nominations at the TTT Web site at WrestleMania Reading Challenge jury and www.ala.org/teenstopten. is the convenor of the Summer Reading Laurie Cavanaugh, assistant head of adult TTT is a part of YALSA’s Young Interest Group. services at the Brockton (Mass.) Public Adult (YA) Galley Project, which She is the central youth services Library, won YALSA’s Great Ideas facilitates access to advance copies of young teen librarian at the KC Public contest.

50 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 in the grade 7–8 competition were Marissa Brann, Corydon, Ind.; Hansel Caraballo, N.Y.; Kyle Hoskins, Louisville, Ky.; and Kayla Bell, Los Angeles.; In addition to being named national champions, Cervantes and Diaz won ringside seats to WrestleMania. Participating in the finals were WrestleMania Reading Challenge spokespeople and WWE Superstars Mark Henryä, MVPä, and Matt Hardyä and WWE Diva Laylaä. Bradbury served as the judge for the competition. Ten regional winners in grades 7–8 and 9–12 from across the United States came to Houston as the guests of World Wrestling Entertainment. The national WrestleManiaÒ Reading Challenge Champions Stephanie Diaz (grades finals took place at the Houston Public 7–8 category), WWE diva Layla, winner Christian Cervantes (grades 9–12 Library the day before the 25th category) and wrestler Matt Hardy. anniversary of WrestleMania. Also present as guests of the WWE were regional champions for grades 5–6: YALSA, WWE Name In the grade 9-12 finals, Cervantes Jose Castro, Houston; Herlinda Aparicio, just beat fellow contestant Angelica Kruth Overland Park, Kans.; Nicolas Covelli, 2009 WrestleMania of Munhall, Pa., in a race to answer the Stormville, N.Y.; Donte Edwards, Reading Challenge most questions correctly about the book Alpharetta, Ga.; Neom Rose Chacon, El Champions “Shift” by Jennifer Bradbury. Other Mirage, Ariz. regional finalists in the grade 9–12 More than 50,000 teens and tweens Christian Cervantes and Stephanie Diaz competition were Gavin Marriott, from more than 1,800 libraries of Houston were crowned national Edgemont, S.D.; William Matthew participated in this year’s competition. champions in the WrestleManiaÒ Haggerty, Snow Hill, N.C.; and Karolina Participants read 10 books, magazines or Reading Challenge, sponsored by the Flores, El Monte, Calif. graphic novels over a period of 10 weeks, Young Adult Library Services Association Diaz successfully defeated her and then created a slogan and bookmark (YALSA), a division of the American competition in the grade 7–8 competition design that promoted reading at their Library Association, and World by answering the most questions correctly library. The regional finalists were chosen Wrestling EntertainmentÒ, with support about the book “Soccer Chicks Rule” by by a national judging committee of from Mattel. Dawn Fitzgerald. Other regional finalists YALSA members. YALS

Cavanaugh suggested YALSA create a to have a syndicated column of YA book award-winning books and materials downloadable widget, with code for reviews with recommendations from from its selected booklists. embedding, containing recommended YALSA members,” Cavanaugh said. “Then books for teens that is updated regularly I thought it might be better to put them YALSA Announces 2010 through an RSS or Atom feed. Librarians online, where teens tend to be anyway. Symposium Theme, could add the widget to their library Web Plus it’ll help get YALSA’s name out Opens Proposals sites, offering book suggestions tested by more.” librarians without needing to know The Great Ideas contest sought YALSA chose “Beyond Good Intentions: complicated code. This would also help ideas from YALSA members in Diversity, Literature, and Teens” as the bring attention to YALSA’s book awards achieving goals laid out in the division’s theme for its 2010 Young Adult Literature and materials on YALSA’s selected lists. strategic plan. Cavanaugh’s idea Symposium, sponsored in part by the “I originally came up with the idea addresses the division’s marketing goals, William C. Morris Endowment. In because I had been thinking it would great particularly in marketing YALSA’s addition, the division opened its call for

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 51 preconference proposals, program with teens for one to ten years; the other and recruit and oversee bloggers for the proposals and paper presentations for the will be awarded to a student in an site. The YALSA blog receives more than symposium. The symposium takes place in accredited library school program (the 13,000 page views per month. Albuquerque, N.M., Nov. 5-7, 2010. student must be enrolled in an MLS “Beyond Good Intentions” recognizes program at the time of the symposium). that today’s generation of teens is the most Each stipend provides up to $1,000 to fund YALSA Announces diverse ever and invites attendees to explore attendance at the symposium. To win a New Book whether contemporary literature reflects the stipend, applicants must be personal many different faces, beliefs and identities of members of YALSA. YALSA welcomed a new title to its stable today’s teens. The conference will also Stipend applications are available at of high-quality professional materials: examine the impact this diverse generation www.ala.org/yalitsymposium. Complete Quick and Popular Reads for Teens, edited will have on teen literature in the future. applications must be sent to [email protected] by Pam Spencer Holley for YALSA (ALA YALSA invites interested parties to by Jan. 4, 2010. Editions, 2009). This new book focuses on propose a half- or full-day preconference Applications that are incomplete or two of YALSA’s most popular selected centering on the theme, as well as 90- that are not sent electronically will not be booklists, Popular Paperbacks for Young minute programs and paper presentations accepted. Winners will be announced the Adults and Quick Picks for Reluctant offering new, unpublished research relating week of March 1, 2010. Young Adult Readers. to the theme. Applications for all proposals Questions regarding the 2010 Edited by Pam Spencer Holley, a can be found www.ala.org/yalitsymposium. Young Adult Literature Symposium YALSA past president and chair of the Proposals for programs and paper should be directed to Nichole Gilbert, 2009 Odyssey Committee, this jam-packed presentations must be sent electronically YALSA Program Officer, at volume includes: [email protected] by Oct. 1, 2009. Applicants [email protected]. will be notified of their proposals’ status by l Experts on youth services explaining Jan. 15, 2010. YALSA Chooses New each lists’ selection criteria Quarterly Journal Editor, l Guidance on using the selected titles YALSA Seeks New Blog Manager in programming, displays, and readers’ Applications for 2010 advisory Symposium Stipends YALSA named Sarah Flowers the editor l Lists of the honored titles, including of Young Adult Library Services, its brief annotations and publication YALSA is now accepting applications for quarterly journal, starting with the Fall information stipends to attend the 2010 Young Adult 2009 issue. Flowers previously served as l Thematic booklists Literature Symposium, to be held Nov 5-7, guest editor of the journal in 2007. 2010, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The In addition, Heidi Dolamore began Quick and Popular Reads for Teens is symposium is sponsored in part by the her three-year term as YALSA’s blog available at the ALA Store, www.alastore. William C. Morris Endowment. manager on June 1. As blog manager, ala.org or by calling 1-866-SHOP-ALA. One stipend will be awarded to a Dolamore will work with YALSA to It costs $45 or $40.50 for ALA library worker who has worked directly oversee the content and look of the blog members. YALS

Guidelines for Authors

Young Adult Library Services is the official publication of the Young practice relating to teen services and spotlights significant activities Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American and programs of the division. Library Association. Young Adult Library Services is a vehicle for For submission and author guidelines, please visit www.ala continuing education of librarians working with young adults (ages .org/yalsa and click on “Publications.” twelve through eighteen) that showcases current research and Index to Advertisers

Disney-Hyperion Books ...... cover 4 Recorded Books ...... cover 2 Farrar, Straus and Giroux ...... 15 YALSA ...... 24,38,45,cover 3

52 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 YALS Index to Volume 7

Issue numbering: ASHOOH, WINI YA Novels about Trauma and Fall 2008, v. 7, no. 1 YALSA Announces Member Grant & Depression, Fa08:33 Winter 2009, v. 7, no. 2 Award Winners [BWI Collection Bodart, Joni Richards Spring 2009, v. 7, no. 3 Development Grant], Spr09:49 It’s All About the Kids: Presenting Options Summer 2009, v. 7, no. 4 AUDIOBOOKS and Opening Doors, Fa08:35–38, 45 2009 Amazing Audiobooks for Young BOOK REVIEWING A Adults, Spr09:30–31 YA Q&A: How do I get a reviewing gig? Recorded Books Wins 2009 Odyssey Award What are the elements of a ...book ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- review?, Sum09:9–10 Accessibility Resource Guide Time Indian [Alexie], Spr09:18–19 BOOK REVIEWS. See PROFESSIONAL [bibliography], Win09:35 AVATARS RESOURCES Technology for Every Teen @ your Avatar Me!, Win09:36 BOOKS AND READING library, Win09:33–36 AWARDS. See also specific awards, e.g., From the President, Spr09:3 ADULT BOOKS FOR TEENS Printz Award Brehm-Heeger, Paula Alex Awards [2009], Spr09:20 Apply for More than $34,000 in Grants and Help Shape YALSA’s Future, Sum09:6 ADULT SERVICES Awards from YALSA (News), Fa08:47 Bunce, Elizabeth C. Break Through to the Other Side: Get From the Editor [APEX Award to [about] A Curse Dark as Gold Wins Adult Services Staff to Buy Into Teen YALS], Fa08:2–3 Inaugural William C. Morris Award, Read Week, Sum09:21 New Round of Great Stories CLUB Spr09:17 ALA CONFERENCES Grants Available (News), Fa08:48 BWI COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT Teen Voices Heard at ALA Midwinter YALSA, WWE name 2009 GRANT 2009, Spr09:13–14 WrestleMania Reading Challenge YALSA Announces Member Grant & ALA COUNCIL Champions (News), Sum09:51 Award Winners [Robinson, Ashooh], ALA Council Wants You!, Spr09:4–5 YALSA Announces Member Grant and Spr09:49 ALAMEDA COUNTY (Calif.) LIBRARY Award Winners (News), Spr09:48–49 It’s All About the Kids: Presenting Options YALSA Names Emerging Leaders, C and Opening Doors, Fa08:35–38, 45 Spectrum Scholar (News), Fa08:46, ALESSIO, AMY Win09:52 Card, Orson Scott YALSA Announces Member Grant & YALSA Names Winner of Great Ideas Margaret A. Edwards Award Acceptance Award Winners [Henne/VOYA Contest (News), Sum09:50–51 Speech, Fa08:14–18 grant], Spr09:49 Carstensen, Angela ALEX AWARDS (2008) B The Alex Awards Program, ALA The Alex Awards Program, ALA Annual, July 2008, Spr09:6–7 Annual, July 2008, Spr09:6–7 BAKER AND TAYLOR CONFERENCE CAVANAUGH, LAURIE ALEX AWARDS (2009) GRANT YALSA Names Winner of Great Ideas YALSA Announces 2009 Alex Awards, YALSA Announces Member Grant & Contest (News), Sum09:50–51 Spr09:20 Award Winners [Toebbe, Amster- CELL PHONE NOVELS Alexie, Sherman Burton], Spr09:48 Cell Phone Novels: 140 Characters at a [about] Recorded Books Wins 2009 YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference Time, Win09:29–31 Odyssey Award for The Absolutely Award, Sum09:7 CENSORSHIP. See INTELLECTUAL True Diary of a Part-Time Indian BANNED BOOKS WEEK FREEDOM [Alexie], Spr09:18–19 Banned Books Week: Celebrating Your CERVANTES, CHRISTIAN AMAZING AUDIOBOOKS FOR YOUNG (and Your Teens!) Freedom to Read, YALSA, WWE name 2009 ADULTS (2009), Spr09:30–31 Sum09:4–5 WrestleMania Reading Challenge AMSTER-BURTON, LAURIE BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS Champions (News), Sum09:51 YALSA Announces Member Grant & 2009 Best Books for Young Adults, CHARLOTTE AND MECKLENBURG Award Winners [Baker & Taylor Spr09:21–23 COUNTY (N.C.), PUBLIC Scholarship], Spr09:48 Coretta Scott King Awards Celebrate LIBRARY OF YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference Forty Years: Where the Coretta Scott Dream It Do It: At the Library! Technology Award, Sum09:7 King Book Awards Meet YALSA’s Outreach at a Juvenile Detention Center Anderson, Laurie Halse Best Books for Young Adults and the (Best Practices), Win09:22–24, 31 [about] Laurie Halse Anderson Wins Michael L. Printz Award, Spr09:8–11 Cheney, Brannigan and Sarah Lovato 2009 Margarget A. Edwards Award, Teen Voices Heard at ALA Midwinter Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs: Science Spr09:16 2009, Spr09:13–14 Programming on the Cheap (Best ARONSON, MARC BIBLIOGRAPHIES Practices), Sum09:13–15 YALSA Announces Member Grant & REFORMA and YALSA: Working Clark, Ruth Cox Award Winners [Henne/VOYA Together to Reach Latino Youth, Cell Phone Novels: 140 Characters at a grant], Spr09:49 Fa08:19–22, 42 Time, Win09:29–31

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 53 Index Vol. 7

YA Novels about Trauma and Essex, Don HOMEWORK HELP Depression, Fa08:33 From Deleting Online Predators to Online Homework Help: Evaluating the Clarke, Judith Educating Internet Users: Congress Options, Win09:25–28 Printz Award Honor Speech, Fa08:6–7 and Internet Safety: A Legislative Honnold, RoseMary COLLABORATION Analysis, Spr09:36–45 From the Editor, Fa08:2–3, Win09:2, Joining Forces with Teachers for an Sum09:2 Unreal Teen Read Week, F Teen Voices Heard at ALA Midwinter Sum09:19–20 2009, Spr09:13–14 FABULOUS FILMS FOR YOUNG COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT HOT SPOTS ADULTS (2009), Spr09:32 YA Q&A: How Do You Balance 2009 Awards, Spr09:15–35 Fabulous Films for Young Adults [call for Buying...Controversial Things?, Outreach to Special Teen Audiences, nominations], Sum09:8 Fa08:26–27 Fa08:30–42 Flowers, Sarah CONTROVERSIAL MATERIALS Teen Read Week, Sum09:21–22 [about] YALSA chooses new quarterly YA Q&A: How Do You Balance Teen Tech Week, Win09:25–38 journal editor, Sum09:52 Buying...Controversial Things?, ALA Council Wants You!, Spr09:4–5 Fa08:26–27 I FRANCES HENNE/VOYA RESEARCH CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARDS GRANT Coretta Scott King Awards Celebrate INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM YALSA Announces Member Grant & Award Forty Years: Where the Coretta Scott Banned Books Week: Celebrating Your Winners [Alessio, Aronson], Spr09:49 King Book Awards Meet YALSA’s (and Your Teens!) Freedom to Read, Frolund, Tina Best Books for Young Adults and the Sum09:4–5 A Word from the Guest Editor, Sum09:2 Michael L. Printz Award, Spr09:8–11 INTERNET RESOURCES Czarnecki, Kelly G From Deleting Online Predators to Dream It Do It: At the Library! Educating Internet Users: Congress Technology Outreach at a Juvenile GAMING and Internet Safety: A Legislative Detention Center (Best Practices), Gaming Themed Teen Fiction/Comics Analysis, Spr09:36–45 Win09:22–24, 31 and Manga with Gaming Themes J [bibliography], Win09:30 D Grants Get Teens Gaming: Teen Tech Week Jenkins, A. M. 2008 at the Public Library of Mount Printz Award Honor Speech, Fa08:10–11 Debraski, Sarah Cornish Vernon and Knox County, Win09:8–9 From the President, Fa08:3, Win09:3, Jones, Jami L. GAY LITERATURE Freak Out or Melt Down: Teen Spr09:3, Sum09:3 Accept the Universal Freak Show Delatte, Monique Responses to Trauma and [LGBTQ content], Sum09:26–31 Fa08: Find It! Shoot It! Shop It! Connecting Depression, 30–34 GIRLS “Shelters from the Storm” Teens, Stress, Teens to Technology at La Puente Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga: Library, Win09:4–6, 9 and Libraries, Win09:16, 18–20 Manga as an Extension of Young JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS Project MORPH: Bringing Fashion Adult Literature, Sum09:32–38 Rehab to Los Angeles Library Teens Bullies, Gangs, and Books for Young Goldstein, Lisa and Molly Phelan Sum09: (Best Practices), Sum09:11–12, 18 Adults, 39–45 Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga: Dream It Do It: At the Library! Technology DEPRESSION Manga as an Extension of Young Freak Out or Melt Down: Teen Outreach at a Juvenile Detention Center Adult Literature, Sum09:32–38 Win09: Responses to Trauma and (Best Practices), 22–24, 31 GRAPHIC NOVELS It’s All About the Kids: Presenting Depression, Fa08:30–34 2009 Great Graphic Novels for Teens, DIAZ, STEPHANIE Options and Opening Doors, Spr09:34–35 Fa08:35–38, 45 YALSA, WWE name 2009 GREAT BOOKS GIVEAWAY WrestleMania Reading Challenge YALSA Announces Member Grant & K Champions (News), Sum09:51 Award Winners [Lincoln County Diorio, Geri and Christopher Shoemaker PL], Spr09:49 Knox, Elizabeth YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR Printz Award Honor Speech, Fa08:12–13 Award, Sum09:7 TEENS (2009), Spr09:34–35 DISABLED USERS L Technology for Every Teen @ your H library, Win09:33–36 Land, Carla DOLAMORE, HEIDI HANDICAPPED PATRONS [about] YALSA Names Emerging YALSA chooses ...new blog manager, Library Outreach to Teens with Physical Leaders (News), Fa08:46, Win09:52 Sum09:52 Challenges, Fa08:39–42 Break Through to the Other Side: Get Hastings, Samantha Larsen Adult Services Staff to Buy Into Teen E Stress-Free Programming for Teens: Stop Read Week, Sum09:21 the Stress and Do More by Doing Laszczak, Kelly. See Mahoney, Kathy EDWARDS AWARD Less (Best Practices), Fa08:28–29 LATINO LITERATURE [about] Jellicoe Road wins 2009 Printz Hemphill, Stephanie REFORMA and YALSA: Working Award, Spr09:16 Printz Award Honor Speech, Fa08:8–9 Together to Reach Latino Youth, Margaret A. Edwards Award Acceptance Hoeffgen, Beth Fa08:19–22, 42 Speech [2008] (Card), Fa08:14–18 Grants Get Teens Gaming: Teen Tech LATINO PATRONS EMERGING LEADERS Week 2008 at the Public Library of REFORMA and YALSA: Working YALSA Names 2009 Emerging Leaders Mount Vernon and Knox County, Together to Reach Latino Youth, (News), Fa08:46, Win09:52 Win09:8–9 Fa08:19–22, 42

54 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009 Index Vol. 7

LGBTQ LITERATURE. See GAY N Chance. Young Adult Literature in Action, LITERATURE Spr09:46 LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARIANSHIP NAME GENERATORS Crane. Using Web 2.0 Tools in the K-12 From Helpful Teen to History Librarian: Cool Name Generators, Win09:29 Classroom, Sum09:23 A Recruitment Story, Fa08:24–25 NICHOLSON, VALERIE H. Hornby and Glass. Reader Development in YA Q&A: Will I have a job?, Fa08:26 YALSA Announces Member Grant & Practice, Spr09:46 LINCOLN COUNTY (Mont.) PUBLIC Award Winners [MAE Award], Jones. Start to Finish YA Programs, LIBRARY Spr09:49 Sum09:23–24 YALSA Announces Member Grant & NOVELS. See YOUNG ADULT Lushington. Libraries Designed for Kids, Award Winners [Great Books LITERATURE Spr09:46 Giveaway], Spr09:49 Serchay. Graphic Novels for Children and LOS ANGELES, COUNTY OF (Calif.), O Tweens, Fa08:44 PUBLIC LIBRARY Thomas. Re-Designing the High School Library Find It! Shoot It! Shop It! Connecting ODYSSEY AWARD for the Forgotten Half, Spr09:46–47 Teens to Technology at La Puente Recorded Books Wins 2009 Odyssey Volkman. Collaborative Library Research Library, Win09:4–6, 9 Award for The Absolutely True Diary Projects, Fa08:44 Project MORPH: Bringing Fashion of a Part-Time Indian [Alexie], World Book Living Green Series, Rehab to Los Angeles Library Teens Spr09:18–19 Sum09:24 (Best Practices), Sum09:11–12, 18 ONLINE TUTORING SERVICES Zmuda and Harada. Librarians as Online Homework Help: Evaluating the Learning Specialists, Fa08:44–45 M Options, Win09:25–28 PROGRAMS. See also TEEN READ OUTREACH WEEK; TEEN TECH WEEK MAE AWARD FOR BEST Hot Spots: Outreach to Special Teen Project MORPH: Bringing Fashion LITERATURE PROGRAM FOR Audiences, Fa08:30–42 Rehab to Los Angeles Library Teens TEENS (Best Practices), Sum09:11–12, 18 YALSA Announces Member Grant & P Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs: Science Award Winners [Nicholson], Programming on the Cheap (Best Spr09:49 PATTON, KIM Practices), Sum09:13–15 Maede, Jennifer Kim Patton elected YALSA vice- Stress-Free Programming for Teens: Stop Joining Forces with Teachers for an president (News), Sum09:50 the Stress and Do More by Doing Unreal Teen Read Week, Petrilli, Ken Less, Fa08:28–29 Sum09:19–20 Banned Books Week: Celebrating Your Teen Tech Week on a Budget, Magee, Rachel (and Your Teens!) Freedom to Read, Win09:37–38 Budget Video Production: Yes, You Can Sum09:4–5 PROJECT RUNWAY Do It Too!, Win09:32 Phelan, Molly. See Goldstein, Lisa Project MORPH: Bringing Fashion Mahoney, Kathy and Kelly Laszczak Philion, Thomas Rehab to Los Angeles Library Teens Teen Tech Week Survey Results, The Age of ____? Using Young Adult (Best Practices), Sum09:11–12, 18 Win09:10–12 Literature to Make Sense of the Maltman, Thomas Contemporary World, Sum09:46–49 Q [Acceptance speech] The Alex Awards POPULAR PAPERBACKS FOR Program, 2008, Spr09:6–7 YOUNG ADULTS (2009), QUICK PICKS FOR RELUCTANT Manfredi, Angie Spr09:24–26 YOUNG ADULT READERS Accept the Universal Freak Show Porteus, Katie (2009), Spr09:27–29 [LGBTQ content], Sum09:26–31 Easing the Pain of the Classics (Best MANGA Practices), Sum09:16–18 R Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga: PRINTZ AWARD Manga as an Extension of Young Coretta Scott King Awards Celebrate Ramos-McDermott, Alma Adult Literature, Sum09:32–38 Forty Years: Where the Coretta Scott REFORMA and YALSA: Working Marchetta, Melina King Book Awards Meet YALSA’s Together to Reach Latino Youth, [about] Jellicoe Road wins 2009 Printz Best Books for Young Adults and the Fa08:19–22, 42 Award, Spr09:15 Michael L. Printz Award, RECORDED BOOKS McCaughrean, Geraldine Spr09:8–11 Recorded Books Wins 2009 Odyssey Printz Award Winner Speech, Jellicoe Road wins 2009 Printz Award Award for The Absolutely True Diary Fa08:4, 18 [Marchetta], Spr09:15 of a Part-Time Indian [Alexie], Michaelson, Judy Printz Award Honor Speeches (Clarke, Spr09:18–19 Online Homework Help: Evaluating the Hemphill, Jenkins, Knox), REFORMA Options, Win09:25–28 Fa08:6–13 REFORMA and YALSA: Working Michel, Karin. See Sturm, Brian W. Printz Award Winner Speech Together to Reach Latino Youth, MORRIS AWARD (McCaughrean), Fa08:4, 18 Fa08:19–22, 42 A Curse Dark as Gold Wins Inaugural PRISON LIBRARIES. See JUVENILE ROBINSON, LEXIE William C. Morris Award, Spr09:17 DETENTION CENTERS YALSA Announces Member Grant & MOUNT VERNON AND KNOX PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES, Award Winners [BWI Collection COUNTY (Ohio) PUBLIC Fa08:44–45, Spr09:46–47, Development Grant], Spr09:49 LIBRARY Sum09:23–24 Grants Get Teens Gaming: Teen Tech Cable in the Classroom [website], S Week 2008 at the Public Library of Sum09:23 Mount Vernon and Knox County, Carpan. Sisters, Schoolgirls, and Sleuths, SAGEBRUSH AWARD. See MAE Win09:8–9 Sum09:23 AWARD FOR BEST

Summer 2009 | Young Adult Library Services | YALS 55 Index Vol. 7

LITERATURE PROGRAM FOR TEEN TECH WEEK Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs: Science TEENS Find It! Shoot It! Shop It! Connecting Programming on the Cheap (Best Saxton, Elizabeth Teens to Technology at La Puente Practices), Sum09:13–15 Change Your Reality: Teen Read Week Library, Win09:4–6, 9 Wray, Susan Programs for a Better World, Grants Get Teens Gaming: Teen Tech Fabulous Films for Young Adults, Sum09:22 Week 2008 at the Public Library of Sum09:8 SCHOOL LIBRARIES Mount Vernon and Knox County, WRESTLEMANIA READING From Helpful Teen to History Librarian: Win09:8–9 CHALLENGE A Recruitment Story, Fa08:24–25 Press Play @ your library for Teen Tech YALSA, WWE name 2009 Schwarzwalder, Jami Week (News), Fa08:47 WrestleMania Reading Challenge Teen Tech Week on a Budget, Teen Tech Week on a Budget, Champions (News), Sum09:51 Win09:37–38 Win09:37–38 SCIENCE Teen Tech Week Survey Results, Y Stinky Fish and Tossed Eggs: Science Win09:10–12 Programming on the Cheap (Best TEENS, PERSONAL LIFE OF YALSA BOARD Practices), Sum09:13–15 “Shelters from the Storm” Teens, Help Shape YALSA’s Future, Sum09:6 Seaver, Kathy Stress, and Libraries, Win09:16, Kim Patton elected YALSA vice- From Helpful Teen to History Librarian: 18–20 president, Sum09:50–52 A Recruitment Story, Fa08:24–25 YA Q&A: How involved do you get in YALSA 2009 election results (News), SELECTED AUDIOBOOKS FOR the lives of your teens?, Sum09:50 YOUNG ADULTS. See AMAZING Win09:10–12 YALSA Board Actions from ALA AUDIOBOOKS FOR YOUNG TEENS’ TOP TEN LIST Annual Conference [2008] (News), ADULTS (2009) Eclipse Tops YALSA’s 2008 Teens’ Top Fa08:48 SELECTED VIDEOS AND DVDs FOR Ten (News), Win09:51–52 YALSA Committees YOUNG ADULTS. See FABULOUS Terrile, Vikki C. Help Make YALSA Work (News), FILMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS Technology for Every Teen @ your Win09:48–50 (2009) library, Win09:33–36 YALSA Outreach to Young Adults with Shoemaker, Christopher. See Diorio, Geri TOEBBE, KATE Special Needs Committee SPECIAL NEEDS USERS YALSA Announces Member Grant & New Round of Great Stories CLUB Technology for Every Teen @ your Award Winners [Baker & Taylor Grants Available (News), Fa08:48 library, Win09:33–36 Scholarship], Spr09:48 YALSA Update: Association News, SPECTRUM SCHOLARS YALSA’s Baker & Taylor Conference Fa08:46–48, Win09:48–52, YALSA First Scholar (News), Fa08:46, Award, Sum09:7 Spr09:48–50, Sum09:50–52 Win09:52 TRAUMA YALSA YOUNG ADULT Steiner, Stan Freak Out or Melt Down: Teen LITERATURE SYMPOSIUM Bullies, Gangs, and Books for Young Responses to Trauma and YALSA Celebrates at First Young Adult Adults, Sum09:39–45 Depression, Fa08:30–34 Literature Symposium [2008] STRESS (News), Win09:39–47 “Shelters from the Storm” Teens, Stress, U YOUNG, JAMIE and Libraries, Win09:16, 18–20 YALSA Names Spectrum Scholar Stressin’ Out [bibliography], Win09:17 Uhler, Linda (News), Fa08:46, Win09:52 Sturm, Brian W. and Karin Michel Stressin’ Out [bibliography], YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES The Structure of Power in Young Adult Win09:17 From the Editor [APEX Award to Problem Novels, Win09:39–47 YALS], Fa08:2–3 V YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE T Cell Phone Novels: 140 Characters at a VIDEO GAMES. See GAMING Time, Win09:29–31 Taylor, Deborah VIDEO MAKING Easing the Pain of the Classics (Best Coretta Scott King Awards Celebrate Budget Video Production: Yes, You Can Practices), Sum09:16–18 Forty Years, Spr09:8–11 Do It Too!, Win09:32 Eclipse Tops YALSA’s 2008 Teens’ Top TECHNOLOGY. See also TEEN TECH VIDEOS Ten [bibliography] (News), WEEK 2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults, Win09:51–52 Dream It Do It: At the Library! Spr09:32 New Problem Novels [bibliography], Technology Outreach at a Juvenile Vogel, Victoria Win09:39–47 Detention Center (Best Practices), Library Outreach to Teens with Physical The Structure of Power in Young Adult Win09:22–24, 31 Challenges, Fa08:39–42 Problem Novels, Win09:39–47 Teen Tech Week Survey Results, VOSS, KATHERINE YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE Win09:10–12 YALSA Names Emerging Leaders SYMPOSIUM TEEN READ WEEK (News), Fa08:46, Win09:52 Accept the Universal Freak Show Break Through to the Other Side: Get [LGBTQ content], Sum09:26–31 Adult Services Staff to Buy Into Teen W The Age of ____? Using Young Adult Read Week, Sum09:21 Literature to Make Sense of the Change Your Reality: Teen Read Week Webber, Carlie Contemporary World, Sum09:46–49 Programs for a Better World, YA Q&A: How do I get a reviewing gig? Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga: Sum09:22 What are the elements of a ...book Manga as an Extension of Young Joining Forces with Teachers for an review?, Sum09:9–10 Adult Literature, Sum09:32–38 Unreal Teen Read Week, WEBER COUNTY (Utah) LIBRARY Bullies, Gangs, and Books for Young Sum09:19–20 SYSTEM Adults, Sum09:39–45

56 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Summer 2009

Set in the sanctuary ofsummercamp, Set inthesanctuary pop-culture turninthissensational friendships andromancessizzle new YA novelfromtheauthorof Elizabethan courtdramatakesa The RedQueen’s Daughter fade inthisheartwarming coming-of-age novel. .

Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-0128-4 • $15.99 • July Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-1245-7 • $16.99 • June The bizarreinnerworldoftheashramis exposed inthisauthentic,controversial, romance, memorablecharacters,anda Girlfriend Material Set againsttheglamorousbackdrop heroine youcan’thelpbutrootfor. and oftendarklyhumorousstory. of a chic Cape Cod country club, of achicCapeCodcountry ischock-fullofhot

Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-0849-8 • $15.99 • May Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-1751-3 • $16.99 • August boyfriend? Check.It’s romanticcomedy A juniorpageantprincessturnedchubby making herownrulesduringasummer at itsbestfromahotnewYA author. teenager takescontrolofherlifeby Brooding, sexyroommateofsaid Quirky, loyalbestfriend?Check. Cute, reliableboyfriend?Check. of friendshipandromance.

Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-1457-4 • $16.99 • August Tr. ed. 978-1-4231-1711-7 • $15.99 • July