https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u For Children's and YA Lit 2060 10 en-us 2019-02-10 00:34:59 UTC 2024-10-31 18:13:45 UTC hello@padlet.com cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329543705 In children's and YA literature, short stories are a compilation of smaller stories inside a single book. Sometimes said stories have ties with one another, other times they are completely separate from each other and have their own characters unique to their story. 

For example, the first type of short story novel that comes to mind is the three book series "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz, which have separate story lines and characters. From classics such as "The Haunted House" and "The Thing" to "Sam's New Pet" and "Harold", each story is a creepy and gripping tale that was sure to keep you up at night. Combined with bone-chilling illustrations to keep the reader from taking their eyes off the page, many-a-nightmare was had by me after reading one of these stories in complete pitch black.

Schwartz, Alvin. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Harper and Row, 1981. Schwartz, Alvin. Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. Harpercollins, 1981.]]> 2019-02-10 01:00:21 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329543705 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329544689 Another short story book to mention is the one we've read in class, "The Mishomis Book" by Edward-Benton Banai, whose stories all intertwine with one another. It is written particularly for young Native and Ojibway children in order to teach some of the basic beliefs of the Ojibway people, some of which include respecting nature as if they were your siblings, to value knowledge, to respect your elders and your Creator, to be peaceful and kind to others, and so on. The book follows several different characters throughout, but each story has many central themes that relate to how the Ojibway people live their lives.

Benton-Banai, Edward. Mishomis Book, a History-Coloring Book of the Ojibway Indians: the Great Flood. Univ Of Minnesota Press, 2016.]]> 2019-02-10 01:18:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329544689 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329545869 Typically depicted in a science fiction atmosphere, the dystopian genre of literature is one that is based around the idea of social or political decomposition, such as scarcity, terrorism, and tyranny. The main character is often trying to make the world a better place by trying to change the system that they live in.

A prime example of the dystopian literature genre is "The Hunger Games" trilogy, directed towards young adults. Our main character is Katniss Everdeen, who is part of the 12th district out of the 13 districts (granted one of them had been destroyed). Her younger sister is selected into the annual Hunger Games lottery, in which those between the ages of 12 and 18 are forced to participate in a fight to the death. Katniss, wanting to save her sister, offers herself as tribute so that her sister can live for another day. Undoubtedly one of the most significant young adult books in the past decade, the series has since sold over 56 million copies and has received universal critical acclaim from critics.

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2018.





]]> 2019-02-10 01:41:54 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/329545869 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331084358 Graphic novels are stories whose format uses visuals to tell the reader the story more-so than words. This is typically done through speech bubbles, through which the characters in the novel are speaking, although it is possible for an omniscient narrator to speak as well in this format. These books can be directed towards both children and young adults.

In our class, we were asked to read "Catstronauts" by Drew Brockington, which is a short children's graphic novel about a group of cats going out into space in order to save the earth from an energy crisis. The book incorporates the use of drawn panels, which makes the pacing of the book incredibly smooth. The language used is also simplistic enough for someone of a beginner level reading comprehension to be able to pick up the book and read through it with ease.

Brockington, Drew. CatStronauts. Little, Brown and Company, 2017.]]> 2019-02-13 23:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331084358 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331113946 As for the young adult spectrum of the graphic novel format, the most prominent country to feature this is Japan, where it is called manga. These novels are generally centered around themes of growing up, rebellion,  love, and overcoming great obstacles. The idea of manga was thought to have been developed as early as the 12th century, but the first official manga was in 1951 with "Astro Boy".

However, the most prominent figure in the Japanese graphic novel selection is undoubtedly the "Dragon Ball" series, written by Akira Toriyama. In the manga, we follow the story of Goku, a young Saiyan child who initially seeks out the seven Dragon Balls of earth with the help of his ally Bulma. This story is just a fraction of the many other plots throughout its longevity. Spawned in 1985, the series still continues to this day and has, since its conception, sold over 270 million copies worldwide, including its own TV shows, movies, merchandise, and video game adaptations, to list a few.

Toriyama, Akira, and Gerard Jones. Dragon Ball. Vol. 1, Viz Communications, Inc, 1985.


]]> 2019-02-14 01:31:32 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331113946 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331121189 Although this is a pretty broad subject, as many novels can be described as such, adventure novels involve the protagonists being involved in dangerous situations in which they must find themselves out of using the best of their abilities.

This was undoubtedly one of my favorite types of books to read back in middle and high school because I always enjoyed the feeling on being on the edge of my seat. And it was because of this thrill that I always enjoyed this series; the "Alex Rider" books by Anthony Horowitz. These books revolve around our titular character, who unwillingly is dragged into MI6, like the organization in James Bond, after the passing of his uncle who had raised him since his parents were killed in an airplane accident following Alex's birth. Every single one of these books was an absolute treat to read, from beginning to end, and is probably my favorite book series that I have read.

Horowitz, Anthony. Snakehead (Alex Rider #7). Philomel Books, 2007.]]> 2019-02-14 02:03:44 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331121189 cv3141eb https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331129466 *“YA Genres 101: Cool Stuff You Won't Learn in School.” Novel Novice, 9 Aug. 2010, novelnovice.com/2010/08/09/ya-genres-101-cool-stuff-you-wont-learn-in-school/.

*“Genres for Young Adult and Young Fiction.” National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, Hamilton, Centre for Maaori Studies and Research, University of Waikato, 1994. 85p., natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/childrens-and-youth-literature/genres-and-forms-for-young-adult-and-young-fiction.]]> 2019-02-14 02:47:43 UTC https://padlet.com/cv3141eb/v2fuo03i719u/wish/331129466