Young Adolescents Meet Literature: Intersections for Learning

The body of literature written specifically for adolescent readers aged ten to fourteen has been growing steadily since the 1960s. Many outstanding books are now available for adolescents, books that can pique their curiosity, spark their imaginations, stimulate them to reflect on their own life experiences, and challenge their world views. Young Adolescents Meet Literature explores the many ways in which this literature may be used to provide opportunities for adolescents in the language arts classroom. Based theoretically on a new understanding of reader response theory that recognizes the transactional nature of reading and the effects of socio-cultural contexts on meaning-making, the contributors to this book propose the creation of dynamic English language arts programs based on a rich selection of literature aimed at stimulating and challenging adolescents. Special attention is paid throughout the book to the rich contributions made to this literature by Canadian authors and illustrators. The contributors are among the outstanding Canadian scholars in the field of adolescent literature, and several among them have written books for adolescent readers.