Comments on: Not Just for Teens Anymore? http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/ The official blog of the Young Adult Library Services Association Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:37:39 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jennifer Knode http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-2087 Jennifer Knode Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:54:33 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1267#comment-2087 When I read this sentence from the Boyce article: "Anything that is made to be sold to a particular demographic, however, will always end up reflecting the superficial concerns of that demographic." I am frustrated at such an ignorant sentiment but reminded of something that (I think) was in your VOYA article this month, about how teens are often attracted to Street Lit but grow to recognize the limitations of the genre and eventually want to branch out. When I read this sentence from the Boyce article:
“Anything that is made to be sold to a particular demographic, however, will always end up reflecting the superficial concerns of that demographic.”
I am frustrated at such an ignorant sentiment but reminded of something that (I think) was in your VOYA article this month, about how teens are often attracted to Street Lit but grow to recognize the limitations of the genre and eventually want to branch out.

]]> By: Liz B http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1935 Liz B Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:47:36 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1267#comment-1935 Check out Paige Y's post to see why adults reading YA is a good thing: http://readingandbreathing.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-young-adult-rant.html If some of the "gatekeepers" (librarians, teachers, etc.) in schools and libraries are not reading and being enthusiastic about YA, they won't buy it; will buy less; won't use YA in the classroom; and will keep the old attitude that good teen readers should "skip" YA books ("because its all that Sweet Valley HIgh trash) and go straight to adult titles. We cannot advocate for teens (and also do what it takes for teens to advocate for themselves) if we are not familiar with the books. Check out Paige Y’s post to see why adults reading YA is a good thing: http://readingandbreathing.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-young-adult-rant.html

If some of the “gatekeepers” (librarians, teachers, etc.) in schools and libraries are not reading and being enthusiastic about YA, they won’t buy it; will buy less; won’t use YA in the classroom; and will keep the old attitude that good teen readers should “skip” YA books (”because its all that Sweet Valley HIgh trash) and go straight to adult titles.

We cannot advocate for teens (and also do what it takes for teens to advocate for themselves) if we are not familiar with the books.

]]> By: Melissa Walker http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1932 Melissa Walker Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:09:10 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1267#comment-1932 I so agree that adults miss out by ignoring YA. We talked about that a bit at the Ypulse conference this week. I do think that all publicity is good publicity in the sense that if YA books get more respect, there will be more space for them in bookstores, libraries, etc, and that can only mean a wider variety of awesomeness for teens to choose from. I so agree that adults miss out by ignoring YA. We talked about that a bit at the Ypulse conference this week.

I do think that all publicity is good publicity in the sense that if YA books get more respect, there will be more space for them in bookstores, libraries, etc, and that can only mean a wider variety of awesomeness for teens to choose from.

]]> By: Beth Fehlbaum http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1931 Beth Fehlbaum Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:33:24 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1267#comment-1931 I agree with Marshall Reid- adult readers ARE missing out if they dismiss YA lit. Beth Fehlbaum, author Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com http://www.kunati.com/courage-in-patience Chapter 1 is online! I agree with Marshall Reid- adult readers ARE missing out if they dismiss YA lit.

Beth Fehlbaum, author
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
http://www.kunati.com/courage-in-patience
Chapter 1 is online!

]]> By: Marshall Reid http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/19/not-just-for-teens-anymore/comment-page-1/#comment-1930 Marshall Reid Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:13:21 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1267#comment-1930 After reading Rabb's essay, I would say confused rather than heartbroken. Judging from the letter at the end of the essay, Rabb obviously appreciates the rewards in connecting with teens readers. Public opinion has not caught up with transformation in YA literature but I think adult readers are slowly getting the message that they are missing out if they ignore the wonderful stories being told in YA. After reading Rabb’s essay, I would say confused rather than heartbroken. Judging from the letter at the end of the essay, Rabb obviously appreciates the rewards in connecting with teens readers. Public opinion has not caught up with transformation in YA literature but I think adult readers are slowly getting the message that they are missing out if they ignore the wonderful stories being told in YA.

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