Young Adult Fiction

A Mini Lesson by
Deborah S. Mosley
EDIT 6340
 Definition
Literature intended
for a reading
audience between
the ages of 13 and
18.
Includes novels,
short stories, books
on tape, and e-
books.
Characteristics
Protagonist is a young
adult dealing with the
issues of growing up
and becoming an adult.
Situations may be
fantasy or science
fiction, but the struggles
are realistic.
Characters, plots, and
themes are well-
developed and involve
the intricacies of life.
Genres of Young Adult
Fiction
Realistic Science Fiction
Historical Speculative
Fantasy (Science Fiction and
Fantasy)
Mystery
Traditional Picture Books
(folktales, fairy tales, Horror
myths, epics) Graphic
 Selection Criteria
Literary Merit – theme or ideas are coherent and relevant for
the intended audience.
Authority- qualifications and abilities of creators.
Appropriateness – content is appropriate for the audience for
which it is intended.
Scope – the material supports or supplements the curriculum.
Accuracy – facts are impartial and opinions are clearly stated
as such.
Durability – literature is of lasting quality.
Reputation of Author.
Value to Collection.
Intellectual Content and Presentation.
 Personal Criteria
Suggestions
Read reviews.
Know your community
(YAF titles are those most
often challenged).
Read as many titles as
possible; talk to your
students who have read
what you haven’t.
Have students/teachers
suggest titles.
Be sure that your collection
reflects the cultural
diversity.
 Favorite YAF Authors
Lois Gary Walter S. E. Paul
Lowery Paulsen Dean Hinton Zindel
Myers
Robert Louis Judy Caroline Joan
Cormier Sachar Blume Cooney Lowry
Nixon
Chris J. K. Mildred Avi Jerry
Crutcher Rowling Taylor Spinelli

Lloyd Brian Susan Phyllis C. S.

Alexander Jacques Cooper Naylor Lewis
 YAF Awards
John Newbery
Coretta Scott King
Edgar Allan Poe Best
Juvenile Mystery
Scott O’Dell Historical Fi
ction
Michael L. Printz Award
Georgia Book Award
Americas Award
Instructional Uses
Engages students in
recreational reading.
Supports the curriculum
in multiple content
areas.
Meet new GPS
standard requiring 24
books per student per
year.
Create a life-long love
for reading.
 Vendors
Follett Corporation PermaBound Books
2233 West Street 617 E. Vandalia Road
River Grove, IL 60171-1895 Jacksonville, IL 62560
800.621.4345 800.637.6581
www.follett.com www.permabound.com

Bound to Stay Bound Baker and Taylor, Inc.

1880 West Morton Rd. 2550 West Tyvola Road, St.300
Jacksonville, IL 62560 Charlotte, NC 28217
800.637.6586 800.775.1800
www.btsb.com www.btol.com
 Ways to Get the Word
Out
Have students create a Create favorites book
“favorite book” bulletin lists and make available
board. to students.
Allow students to give Encourage teachers to
book talks on morning give book talks in their
or afternoon school- classrooms.
wide news. Create a school-wide
Give students the love of reading program.
opportunity to write book Publish award nominees
reviews for newsletters and encourage students
or bulletin board. to read and have a
school wide vote.
 Links to Lists of YAF
titles
The Alan Review – Cool Books for Tough Gu
ys
The Easy Book List
Girl Zone – Into Words
New York State Reading List for High School
Students
YABO – Young Adult Books Online
YALSA – Booklists
YALSA – Outstanding Books for the College
Bound
 Resources
Booklists and Book Awards. Young Adult Library Services
Association. March 30, 2005. www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.

Temple, Charles; Martinez, Miriam; Yokota, Junko; and Naylor,

Alice. (2002). Children’s books in children’s hands: An
introduction to their literature, 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Van Orden, Phyllis and Bishop, Kay. (2001). The collection

program in schools: Concepts, practices, and information
sources, 3rd ed. Englewood, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

Young adult fiction reading lists. (2005). LookSmart Directory.

March 30, 2005. http://search.looksmart.com.