Young Adult Articles

      The first article I read was from Psychology Today.  The article focused on teen girls and depression.  It said that as many as 1 in 3 teens could suffer from depression.  It gave tips for parents and adults in understanding teenagers.  The article said that to understand teens, you need to read what they read, watch their shows (like MTV), and play their video games. I agree with this article that it is important to be in tune with what teens are doing in order to understand them.
      The second article I read was a great resource to get teens involved in reading and the library.  It came from the website below.  This aticle provided links to free technology librarians can use to get teens interested in reading.  I liked the idea of creating posters to hang in the library of faculty and staff dressed up and reading their favorite book.  A link is provided to help create the posters.  I also liked the idea of a Teen Book Choice Awards.

http://edtechvision.org/?p=861

article "Requirements for Heathly Development of Adolescent Youth"

In 1973, Gisela Konopka and a panel representing different ages and backgrounds came up with guidelines for adolescence.  They described adolescence as a transition period from dependent childhood to self-sufficient adulthood.  Adolescence is considered to be about age 18.  Adolescents feel insecure, vulnerable, and have a need for a peer group.  Konopka says adolescence is the "Age of Commitment".  This is the search for oneself.  Adolescents need the opportunity to participate as citizens, members of a household, as workers in general, and responsible members of society. Some obstacles to normal development are when the adolescent feels that they are disregarded as a significant human being.  This can cause withdrawl and self destruction.  The article says that the correctional system needs to close mass juvenile institutions, create living situations for young people who can't live at home, and provide them with legal aid.  Creating options with the school system would be good for adolescents.  Priority should be given to educating those who work with adolescents about factors that affect them.  Adolescents also need employment opportunities.

Who are Young Adults and what are Their reading Preferences?

According to Rosemary Chance's book Young Adult Literature in Action , the American Library Association defines young adults as ages 12-18.  In my survey of  students, I found that none of the students had the same favorite book.  I interviewed 16 and 17 year old students.  The books were also of several different genres : A Walk to Remember, Harry Potter, Last Song, The Fountain Head, The Color Purple, and Pete Rose.  Two of the students said their favorite book was also the last book they read.  I interviewed 2 boys.  One chose Harry Potter and the other Pete Rose as their favorite books. Both boys had last read for pleasure a book about athletes (Derek Jeter and Hakeem Olajuwon).  None of the girls listed nonfiction books.

Illustrator

I am studying Paul Zelinsky.  He has won several awards for his illustrations.  I found it interesting that he says  the stories tell him what the pictures should look like.  He uses different styles of art in the books he illustrates.  Zelinsky said that he drew all the time as a child, but he didn't realize he wanted to be an illustrator for children's books until he was in college.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Hugo is a boy who lives in the walls of a train station.  He lives alone and spends all of his time trying to fix an automaton.  As the story unfolds, the reader finds out how Hugo came to posess the automaton.  When one mystery is solved, another begins.  I enjoy reading mystery books and thought this was an excellent book!  I have never read a novel with illustrations grouped together like this one.  I think the way Selznick uses the art to help tell the story adds a lot to the book.  I would like to read more of Brian Selznick's books.