I think that comparing my thoughts about children and YA lit before this semester and now just shows me that I didn't really think about it that much. It has really become an exciting new genre in a way that I wouldn't have put much effort into finding out about before...
Especially in regard to YA novels, I find that now, I am excited to continue reading them and find out about more good authors and titles... Since high school I have been so caught up (like most other people at Agnes Scott, I'm sure) in trying to read the classics and novels that would be considered "high" literature, and then not reading anything but scholarly articles and textbooks. I am realizing now that children's books and YA novels are really opening up a whole new space for me to just read and enjoy good stories and illustrations (something that I am not too often exposed too when reading!)
Compared to what I thought before about children and YA literature, I would say I am developing a much deeper love and respect for this type of literature than I had before. I really believe in what this class is all about: reading, responding to, enjoying, and sharing great children and YA literature. Before this class, I would have thought of it as a thing of my past, or of the future only when and if I have my own children. Now, I know that I can just embrace my inner child or young adult, sit down with a good book and just enjoy.
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I love this class. I read many children's books with children and don't get bored. I am an avid fan of young adult literature because of how much freedom the writers have when writing for this age group. The people targeted in YA lit are in a time of exploring, and YA books are full of interesting views and discoveries. They aren't too "high literature" like, but they still have a meaning. I love going to the library and picking up books from the YA section at random. As you said, Johanna, the readers aren't too focused on the academia as many of us are in college, even if many of them don't read for luxury anyways. So it makes me happy that any YA novel gets high acclaim (yes, even Twilight) because that means that there are young people out there reading. For now, let Edward sweep them off their feet while I hope they land in another book. There are a lot of great ones waiting.
ReplyDeletehear, hear!
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