CHAP.8: SELECTING YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

Basically, I have read 3 young adult literature books. They are Jacqueline Woodson’s , if you come softly, Robert Cormier’s, the chocolate war and S.L.Rottman’s, hero. These 3 books has really influenced me of what young adult literature is about. It is like an introduction to these young adult literature books. When I read these 3 books, I noticed that it deals a lot with issues such as love, bullying, being who you are and many more. For me I perceive it as a motivational book since there are lots of examples and good values. This would be great for students to read. Lately, I got hold of the ‘twilight’ book and I am looking forward to read it. What made me to get this book is firstly, it is the best selling books among young adult literature. Secondly, the story is told from a different perspective and not like the usual vampire story. Thirdly, it has been sold like hot cakes and that made me to get curious what made this book to be a huge success. Fourthly, it has been made into a movie and that itself interests me a lot since I love movies especially those that are adapted. Fifthly, the colour of the book which is black which again suggests that darkness and mystery correlated together and finally the front cover of the book where a picture of two hands holding an apple. When I looked at this picture, the first thing striked my mind was it is very symbolic. I am sure there will be different interpretations, but for me it suggests that the hands belong to the girl and the apple refers to the vampire’s object which is waiting to be eaten. In other words, the apple here may also refer to the sweetness of the girl or the lips of the girl. It can also refer to as romantic and the sign of love. It can also even suggests the freshness of the blood. These are some of the factors that will inform me to read a book.

I have also read another young adult literature book which is ‘The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen written by Mitali Perkins. Basically, the author is a Bengali (one form of Indian ethnic groups) who talks about immigrant children who faces challenges, dislocation in a new country and many more. Her books mainly centers on immigrant children facing the above issues.