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. 

This is Not My Hat

 Klassen, J. (2012). This Is Not My Hat. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

This humorous picture book is about a little fish who happens to steal a little blue hat from a big fish. The little fish believes that the big fish will not notice his hat is missing since he was asleep. Though, the little fish didn't realize the big fish  had awoken from his sleep and noticed his hat was gone. Little fish was on his way to the tall plant area where he felt the big fish couldn't find him. Read to find out if the big fish caught up with the little fish and got his hat back. 

The monotone colors set an underwater scene which provides a great detail to support the story. The story is very short and mostly you have to interpret the illustrations to complete the story. Young and beginning readers will like this book and it'll be great for teaching predictions and summarizing. 

Last Stop on Market Street

 Peña, M. D., & Robinson, C. (2015). Last Stop on Market Street. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA). 

This delightful tale is about a young boy, CJ, and his grandmother who ride a bus to head across town to serve the homeless food. CJ always asks questions about why they take the bus, and his charming grandmother responds with delightful wisdom about the seeing those who ride the bus and meet new people. CJ watches the new people coming and going off the bus, and when they leave the bus he notice how dirty the area they were walking to. Of course, his grandmother says that he must see the beauty in everything. Does CJ learn to accept the beauty in things or not? Read to find out.

The story was a good read and would offer many opportunities to teach lessons over acceptance and viewpoints. The pictures were great since they were done in bright colors which made everything seem to pop out. This awarded book would be good part of any collection.

Where the Wild Things Are

 Sendak, M., & Sendak, M. (1963). Where the Wild Things Are. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

This enchanting tale is about a mischievous little boy, Max, who has a great imagination that creates a magical place where the monsters roam. At first, Max sees the monsters roaring and clawing for him, and it's at that time Max does a trick to settle the monsters. The monsters believed him to be a powerful little monster and crowned him king of where the wild things are. Max and the monsters enjoy a good amount of rumpus and fun, but Max begins to get homesick and wishes to go back home to the people who love him. Can Max leave or will the monsters make him stay?

This is an older story and no matter how old the reader is the story will always provide a great sense of entertainment. The pictures done by Maurice Sendak really brings the story to life, and I like how he created different types of media to show the different kinds of trees. This is really a good story by far.  

The Three Pigs

 Wiesner, D. (2001). The Three Pigs. New York, NY: Clarion Books. 

This twisty unusual tale about the three pigs is something completely different from the more traditional three little pigs story. The story starts just like any traditional beginning where the wolf huffs and puffs to blow down the straw and stick house's, but the pigs who lived there escaped out of the story to avoid getting eaten by the wolf. The two pigs go to their other brothers house to rescue him from the wolf, and to show their other brother how they jumped out of the story. Now that all three pigs are out of their own story wandering into other stories. Read to find out what stories they jumped into.

I found this story to be a delightful tale and the illustrations were very appealing which made the story feel real. I believe young children will find this story amusing and interesting. This will definitely go into my library.  

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

 Deedy, C. A., & Austin, M. (2007). Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. 

This enchanting Cuban folktale is about a beautiful cockroach, Martina, who is looking for a husband. The women in her family give her small trinkets to prepare her for her coming out. Her grandmother gives her some advice to find the perfect husband, and even though it seems ridiculous she follows her grandmother's advice. Suitor after suitor comes to ask for Martina's hand in marriage and when each suitor comes she does what her grandmother told her to do. The "Coffee Test," will let her know if the suitor will be a good husband, and as she serves coffee to the suitor she accidentally spills the hot coffee onto the suitor's shoes. By doing this test she will know how the suitor will react and how their temper will be. Does Martina find her husband or will she be a lonely cockroach.

This Cuban folktale was a charming story and I enjoyed the reading the story. The illustrations and text really made the story come to life. Young readers will enjoy this short story, and teachers could use this folktale to display some multicultural folktales so students could be well diverse in other cultures.  

Mirror Mirror

 Singer, M., & Masse, J. (2010). Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books and imprint of Penguin Group. 

This enchanting story is composed of reverso poems that retell fairy tales in different way. A reverso poem is a form of poetry where the reader reads a poem from top to bottom, and the other side of a page shows the poem in reverse from bottom to top. This inventive form of poetry shows a creative twist to read poetry. For example, the Beauty and the Beast part of the book uses a great sense of imaginary to express "how a soft heart stirs with longing, longing stirs a soft heart." This is an example of the top and bottom reverse.

Mirror Mirror will be a great book to teach students and young readers about the different forms of poetry. I enjoy the Beauty and the Beast part of the book, because it reminds me of the movie. The poems and illustrations really make a story come to life, and is quite pleasing to the eyes. 

Rosa

 Giovanni, N., & Collier, B. (2005). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt. 

Rosa is a great historical nonfiction book about the activist, Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat for white Americans. This story takes place in Montgomery, Alabama during the time of desegregation (where separate is not equal), and Rosa Parks happened to be in the section of the bus that was neutral which means anyone could sit in that section regardless of the color of your skin. When Rosa was asked to move she finally decided enough was enough, and this kind of treatment was not showing equality among the races. Her refusal to move out of her seat had her arrested and the black community responded to Rosa's arrest by refusing to ride the buses to support Rosa's cause for equality among the races. Read to find out if Rosa's cause had made any impact in the story.

Rosa has always been one of my favorite picture books to read during Black history month or to teach a lesson in equal rights. Rosa Parks was a inspirational woman whose nonviolent resistance helped a movement to develop for those who still resisted to change when it came to equal rights for African Americans. The way that the illustrator, Bryan Collier, put together the imagines really make the story stand out and come to life. Many of our young readers probably wouldn't believe how the American citizens treat their fellow Americans in the past. Always remember separate is not equal. 

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

 Sweet, M., Newborn, R., & Paquette, C. (2011). Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 

Ever wonder how the Macy's Parade started? Well, this entertaining nonfiction story tells the reader a about a special boy who wanted to become a puppeteer and have his little puppets perform. Of course, the young boy grew up to be a young man, Tony Sarg, who moved to London to showcase his puppets who had lifelike movements. Tony became famous for his work and he moved to New York to perform on Broadway. The R.H.Macy's department store had heard about the great work Tony was doing and they asked him to make a brilliant display for their holiday window. Tony didn't disappoint his employer and the people who looked into the holiday window display were mesmerized by Tony's puppet work. Macy's really liked Tony's work and asked Tony to come up with a parade to display other great works. This is was how the Macy's Day Parade began. Find out how Tony got the inflatables to move and work.

This was such an enchanting tale full of bright colors and mixed media that really made the story even more special. Personally, I didn't know how the Macy's Day Parade came to be and this book provided some great information that young readers would find interesting. 

Frogs

 Bishop, N. (2008). Frogs. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction. 

🐸 This nonfiction book is about frogs and how frogs can be found on every continent except Antarctica (Too cold). This book is very informative and it gives readers information and interesting facts about frogs. For example, the biggest frog, Goliath, is from Africa and it's as heavy as a newborn baby. That's a very big frog by the way, and I can't even imagine holding the frog like a baby. Nic Bishop who is the author of the book even clears the misconception of how toads are like frog but they just have dry skin and can live father away from the water. Another interesting fact that Mr. Bishop states that there was a pet toad from England that lived for thirty-six years. That's just crazy cool. One particularly cool frog is the dart poison frog (yes, they're poisonous), because their skin contains enough poison that can kill ten people. 

I like nonfiction books because there's always something to new to learn. I also loved all the pictures and interesting facts about some of the frogs. I know for a fact some of my students will really like this book for it's details and pictures.

 Schlitz, L. A., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. 

The book is a dramatic representation of medieval times told is poetic verse to express the hardships that young maidens faced and certain royal groups who believe their more superior to the poor. Not only did the poor servant groups find their lives hard but some sought to find love and that was no easy task. Other characters like this Jew boy and a Christian girl who bonded over skipping rocks on the little stream that separated both parties. Before they bonded the Christian girl was going to throw rocks at Jews, because she had seen others do that to the Jews. Luckily she decided to follow her own ideas and befriend the boy. Read about the other character told in this medieval setting. You may like the girl who was raised by sheep or the sisters who want to marry a handsome lad. 

This is by far the worst book I read and I wouldn't recommended it to anyone. I like poetry but the setting of medieval times just didn't appeal to me. I believe drama teachers would benefit greatly using this book in drama club. This book just wasn't the right fit for me.

Wonderstruck

 Selznick, B. (2011). Wonderstruck: A Novel in Words and Pictures. New York, NY: Scholastic.

This enchanting story is about two individuals who are searching for a missing family member, but strangely these two people who are on the same quest are from different points in time. There is a 50 year gap for both Ben and Rose who happen to be searching for that missing piece in their lives that will make them feel complete. The story is written in both text and visual representation to illustrate how both Ben and Rose  on the journey to  the same thing, and they even go to the same museum to find clues to help them find their missing family members. Another strange similarity is that both characters happen to be deaf, and I find that to a weirdly ironic. Will these characters meet at some point in the near future or will they pass each other unbeknownst? 

When I read this book I found the who 50 year timeline gap to be too much to keep up, and I had to keep rereading to make sense of what I read. I liked how the illustrations add a sense of adventure and mystery, but the lack of color seemed to make the story boring. Perhaps younger readers will like this book, but the timeline gap and everything else didn't keep my interests while reading this book.

 

Rapunzel's Revenge

 Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's Revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Children's Books.

This hilarious comic book story about a young girl, Rapunzel, is an enchanting tale full of adventure, suspense, and a golden egg. Our young princess was taken from her real parents and when our princess finds out the truth her evil stepmother holds her hostage in a giant tree that acts as a prison. Rapunzel is trapped up high in her tree tower and as the years past her hair grows so long she uses it to escape her prison. Who needs a prince when you have long hair to save yourself. During the story, Rapunzel meets a boy named, Jack, who offers to help Rapunzel get back to her stepmother's villa to rescue her real mother. As they journey back to Rapunzel's home they experience many adventures and meet new people who they help along the way home. Does Rapunzel make it home and rescue her mother, or does she get stopped along the way by her evil stepmother's henchmen? Read to find out what our princess does.

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and see a different version of Rapunzel's story. The use of color really brings the story to life and I believe many young readers will enjoy reading this story.

Babymouse: Queen of the World!

 Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2005). Babymouse: Queen of the World! New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

This delightful-comic style about a girl mouse known as Babymouse, and she really wants to go to the popular girl's sleepover. Babymouse tries everything to get an invitation to the slumber party, but nothing works until its time to turn in their book report. The most popular girl, Felicia Furrypaws, didn't do her assignment and she's asking Babymouse if she can have her report. At first Babymouse isn't sure if she should until Felicia says she'll invite her to the slumber party, and soon as Babymouse heard that she gave Felicia her report. Even though, Babymouse got in trouble she was still excited about the sleepover until her best friend mentions that he'll be seeing her tonight at his house for cupcakes and movies. What is Babymouse going to do? Will she go to Felicia's slumber party or go to her friends house? Read to find out what Babymouse does.

I liked how the story was written in a comic-book style and I think young readers will enjoy a story like this, because of how easy it is to read. The one thing I would have liked to see is more color instead of the pink, white, and black which made it kind of dull after awhile.