Chapter 10-13 Reflections for YA Literature

Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction is known as either contemporary realistic fiction (CRF) or modern realistic fiction (MRF), and just like the how it sounds realistic means real. Mostly, when I teach realistic fiction I tell my student that the characters and story could have actually happened in real life, and the settings has some real world effect. Realistic Fiction is a great way of teaching the different types of fiction especially when it comes to state testing, and once students know the difference it makes test questions more reasonable to pick out. One skill that my students learn in "G.A.P." G is for genre the students put "RF" for realistic fiction, A is for author's purpose, and P is for point of view, when it comes to realistic fiction the author's purpose is to entertain. One book that I use is Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls and students get a better understanding of who the character, Billy, his coon-hound dogs, and setting. This story comes alive and students can learn about the location of the Ozarks, the Great Depression, animals, hunting competitions, and responsibilities for getting what you want like Billy did. Lastly, students could even diagnosis books to see which books meet the requirements of realistic fiction and what makes them realistic fiction.

Nonfiction
Nonfiction is the opposite of fiction and that it means the books contain true facts and information. Nonfiction type of books can be narrative and expository in there approach of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. One important thing that I did learn within this assignment is that nonfiction doesn't have one set template to write and explain the facts. Usually, my students identify these test stories a lot easier, because they come up either as procedural or informative about a particular topic; like duck calling competitions. Upon teaching how to identify nonfiction my students must check information, graphic organizers, or any other text features. I like the idea of students checking reviews, additional books on the same topics or theme, and checking online to verify information that has been read.

Fantasy and Science Fiction
This is one of my favorite subjects to talk about because my imagination runs wild in this particular genre. The make believe ideas are great for students to really get into and many of them don't realize that this particular fiction still deals with human emotions and situations. For example, The Hunger Games falls into this genre because of its post apocalyptic/dystopia feel and how the people in the story are chosen to compete in a dangerous game to win or die. Of course, what some students do see is how the character, Katness, makes a ultimate sacrifice to protect her sister and at the same time survive the game while changing the rules. I ask my students, "Could you make a sacrifice like Katness?" It really makes students think of themselves and their own beliefs. If students say they don't like fantasy or science fiction then I would say you don't like mythical creatures existing, zombies, robots, space travels, or anything that they ever imagines? I've always been a sucker when it comes to reading Roald Dahls, The Witches and The BFG to my students who get a kick out of my story telling and learning about fantasy fiction where giants and witches exist. How teachers could actually be witches which made my students laugh and stare at me.

Graphic Novels (GN)
This is a new popular format that is making itself known in my elementary school. GN resemble comic books in its format but the length and its narrative development depicts a story. Most GN's that I see my students get are the Marvel and DC which they read about superheroes like Batman and The Avengers. Of course, fantasy and science fiction is about the same as graphic novels in that it depicts human emotions and their situations. When I review this format I reinforce the idea that even though it looks like a comic book it really tells a story and lesson. For example, El Deafo is a graphic novel and it shows how the main character accepts her deafness as being unique and it doesn't make her weird just different. Graphic novels could help the most reluctant reader and even show students another format to read and learn.

Ch. 6-9 Reflection

Literary elements are important parts of reading comprehension which allow readers to understand what is being read and interpreting the meaning of the story. For example, antagonist and protagonist are well seen in some stories which can make any story line intense or dramatic. Like the Hunger Game series has Katniss Everdeen and President Snow who are always at each other and it makes the story-line keep your attention, because you're rooting for Katniss who's the protagonist that everyone wants to overcome the obstacles and put an end to the games conducted by the antagonist, President Snow. Of course, the other literary elements offer other teachable moments that can help students read and understand their stories in detail.

Literary Devices like metaphors and similes offer another teachable moments and having small group reading can have students find evidence within the text.  Also, having a understanding of the other types of devices can allow a foundation to be laid down and the reader can find symbolism within the text.

There are many types of book awards that any librarian should be aware of when ordering and laying out books in the library. Some awarded books for the young adult books like Teen's Top Ten which gives teenagers a since of ownership of the books that are the top ten. For example, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby is a winner of the 2016 Printz award which is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. I read the book and I enjoyed it because it offered a sense of adventure, teen drama, and resolution of finding a lost friend in another world. Even though I'm talking about one award there are a lot of different types of awards, and being from Texas I like the Texas Bluebonnet award which one story The Legend of the Bluebonnet was one of the awarded.

Poetry is another form of literature but it's not a genre. Poetry can be found in different types of  genre. Poetry also needs to be taught to students at a early age that way students can be familiar with it, and it must use some form of imagery. Now poetry doesn't have to rhyme and that's an important teachable moment along with demonstrating rhythm. A perfect example would be Love that Dog by Sharon Creech which allows the reader to see different forms of poetry and notice the rhyme/rhythm.

Just like the image says Historical Fiction is where the story takes place in a historical time period. For example, The Witch of Blackbird Pond  which is set in the colonial days (17th Century New England) and superstitions were high as well. Personally, I enjoyed reading the perspective of the characters set in this pilgrim time period. Not only was the time period so accurate but it showed how ignorant people were during that time. I'm just glad Kit, who is the main character, was able to convince the town members she wasn't a witch. 

If you have a chance read some of the examples. 

Young Adult Literature Chapter Reflections

~Why do we share literature with children?

• Literature that's shared with children is a form of play that allows children to experience other worlds through their imagination.
• When conducting read-alouds students begin to acquire language and their language development increase with experiences through literature.
• While reading, readers begin to develop empathy which allows the reader to educate themselves in feelings and understanding human behavior. The reader gets to experience what the character is going through which allows the reader to better visualize the story-line.
•  Sharing reading with children helps develop life-long readers who develop their own interests and experience diversity among characters, places, and situations.
• Reading literature also can be done for aesthetic and philosophical purposes.

~Division of Young People's Literature

There are many categories of young adult literature which are broken into many division, such as:

• Children Literature (0-8 yrs old)which consists of picture books with some wording or wordless, easy reader's, illustrated chapter books, and early chapter books.
• Middle Grade/Tween (8-12 yrs. old) literature which consists of books within a series, graphic novels, etc. Example, Ghost by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel and Eighth Grade Bites series by Heather Brewer.
• Middle School (11-13 yrs. old) literature may have more complex ideas that may introduce more romance or autobiographical stories. Example, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. 
• Young Adults Literature (13-18 yrs. old) some popular stories like Twilight series or Hungry Games series could be read during this age group.
• New Adult Literature (18-30 yrs. old) which started in 2009. Some popular series  Divergent series and The House of Midnight series which I happened to have read during this time.
• Of course, depending on the reader and their interests many may choose different forms of literature and age has nothing to do with what is being read either.

~ Genres & Formats of Young Adult Literature

• Like most literature there are two specific formats of literature:
• Non-Fiction
• Informational which consists of biography, autobiography, and a memoir. Also, under the informational is Narrative Non-fiction and one example is The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin. 
• Expository Non-fiction which mainly consists of facts and information such as Tornadoes by Seymour Simon
• Fiction
• Realism which consists of realistic and historical. Under the realistic genre is modern and contemporary literature.
• Fantasy is another genre that consists of Modern and Traditional literature. Under the Modern Fantasy is the soft/ hard science fiction and high and low fantasy. The Traditional Fantasy is where the folklore's, ballads, fables, fairy tales, myths, and legends are found.
• Formats
• Poetry
• Drama
• Novels
• Chapter Books
• Short Stories
• Picture Books
• Graphic Novels

~What is Young Adult Literature? 

• Young Adult Literature must have these characteristics to make it into this category. 

1. It involves youthful protagonists, 
2. It uses a point of view  which presents an adolescents interpretation of the events.
3. It has directness of exposition and direct confrontation.
4. It involves a significant change in the life of main character(s).
5. It shows a highly independent protagonists.
6. Young Adult literature shows gradual and incremental changes and incomplete growth in the main character(s).
7. This form of literature draws upon a sense of how adolescents develop.

~How do Adolescents Develop?

• Strangely enough if an author understands the development of children and teenagers then authors can understand their mental and physical developments, and morals. 
• The development of ideas is easily understood when you read a piece of literature and you realize the feelings of the characters is easily synthesize and mirrored as our own.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

 Nelson, K. (2008). We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York, NY: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. 

The informative story is a historical nonfiction book which is about the United States National Negro League of Baseball. During the time of segregation many of the Negros had their own teams to play baseball with, and a few colleges who allowed Negros to play ball with white people. As war was drawing near many of the black players decided to sign up for the war, and those who did come back from war eventually joined back up again. At this point one of the most famous Negro baseball players was Jackie Robinson who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers team starting in 1945. Even though, he was consider to be a great player and who broke through racial barriers he did face some challenges due to people who were ignorant. Read about the others Negro players and how the league started.

I must admit that I've never been a fan of baseball, and it was a struggle to even read this book since it had baseball in it. The only things that I like was the great illustrations, the coloring of the pictures, and the historical parts of the story. I may not have read this book, because I truthfully would have chosen it since it had to do with baseball. As a teacher I would have this book in my class to showcase it during black history month and for the baseball worthy fans in my class. 

It's so Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families

 Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (1999). It's so Amazing! A book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

This informative book is about the life cycle of humans, but it's explained in simpler terms for the young children to understand. Have you ever been asked, "Where do babies come from? or How do women have babies?" then this book is the right tool to help explain some things to your curious little ones. I must admit the book has a lot of information about how boy's and girl's go through different changes in their bodies, and what bodily functions develop as they grow from young children to preteen/teenager. Be prepared for an overload of information over physical developments, sex, and sexual diseases.

As I read this book uses a mix array of illustration and even comic book forms of writing this story. Even though, I would be hesitate to have this in the classroom it would be a great addition for a library after some consideration. I enjoyed reading the section that covers twins and more which is very informative about how identical and fraternal twins appear to happen. Consider this book carefully when using it to talk to children about bodily changes. 

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

 Willems, M. (2003). Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. 

This humorous story is about a pigeon who really wants to drive the bus, but the bus driver in the story is speaking to reader to not let the pigeon drive the bus. It's a funny way of making the reader more involved in the story, and as the driver of the bus moves away the pigeon comes and ask if he can drive the bus. As the reader we refuse to let the pigeon to drive the bus no matter how much a begs us and screams at us. Read and find out if the pigeon drove the bus or not.

This remarkable story was fun to read and it was a different form of literature where the characters are talking to the reader. Many young readers will find this entertaining to read. The pictures show a creativeness that the author use to tell the story. 

It's A Book

 Smith, L. (2010). It's a Book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. 

This story is about how reading books seems to be an outdated concept since technology seems to taking over how we do the simplest things like reading a book. The monkey who is reading the book keeps telling his friend who is a donkey that books can do everything like a computer can, but it can tell a great story if you just sit and read. The donkey finally got the idea and gave monkey's book a try, and eventually monkey needed to get a new book since donkey was reading his book. Find out what monkey decides to read next.

This short book would be ideal for struggling readers because of it short sentences and phrases. The monotone coloring works well with the pictures, and the story is told in a great way. The only thing I disliked is the other term for donkey was used for the story which some may find inappropriate.