Midterm Flashcards
What are the characteristics of quality YA lit?
Multithemed story, tension versus shock effect, memorable characters, accurate facts and details, no unlikely coincidences, critic pandering, original idea, memorable voice and authentic dialogue, effective/clear writing style, sense of humor, lyrical/poetic language, no superfluous characters or wasted scenes, widespread appeal, openings
Why do people want to censor books?
They operate out of fear and oppose any reading, viewing or discussion that deviates from their world perceptions.
What are the top three reasons books are banned?
sexually explicit, offensive language and unsuited to the age group
What is a book challenge? A ban?
an attempt to remove or restrict materials; the actual removal of those materials (attempt to restrict access of others, too)
What are some normal adolescent behaviors?
moodiness, irritability, clamming up, sleepiness, preoccupation with sex, over concern with looks, substance use, the search for meaning
What does Chance conclude in her study?
She feels that young adults’ book choices are character driven. She thinks they look for books they see themselves in and use the characters as a trial run for solving their own problems. She says characters also drive round protagonists, conflict that centers on people (either person against self or person against person), told from first person to show character’s feelings, backdrop settings illuminate the characters, and the mjor thematic idea is becoming self aware and responsible for one’s own life.
How does Jarvis feel about To Kill a Mockingbird?
He thinks Gone With the Wind is a better representation of the south that is more timeless.
- Says TKAM is poorly written and surface level
- The issues presented aren’t current and aren’t relevant
- Inconsistencies ruin the book (Lee doesn’t always sound like a child, history isn’t accurate, etc.)
How does Daigle feel about TKAM? What are the three lessons she thinks the book has?
- Says Lee uses modes of communication to display her feelings on moral and political and social issues. Her tactics mirror the actions of Atticus Finch
- Teaching by example: Atticus gives a realistic and visual model
- Examples: True courage is standing up for what you believe in and all people deserve respect (Mrs. Dubose); town coming to help with Miss Maudie’s house is on fire; Defending Tom Robinson
- Verbalization of Beliefs: Jem and Scout value Atticus’s words.
- Examples: Tells them to keep cool through trial, tells them he wanted them to work with Dubose to see true courage,
- Experiences as a teacher: Atticus allows the children to experience life themselves
- Examples: They can go into town, helping Mrs. Dubose, attend the trial
How does McDaniel feel about banning certain books like Cut and Crank?
She feels it is short-sighted and doesn’t take into account other teen dispositions. She also thinks letting teens read these books may allow them to “test out” risky behaviors and actually be safer because they didn’t engage in the actual behaviors.
What is Graham’s opinion of YA Lit?
She thinks adults who read it should be embarrassed for reading books meant for children. She says YA books are too satisfying and don’t force anyone to look at things with “mature insight.” She says they aren’t representative of the real world and adults should graduate to adult literature.
What are Miller’s counter points to Graham’s essay?
Miller feels Graham didn’t actually read Fault properly. She says Graham doesn’t know “how literary effects are achieved.”
- Also states there are adult books that are shallow like Graham’s perception of Fault. Graham feels even the best YA lit caters to an unsophisticated perspective
- The concerns the characters have about life’s cruelties are momentous concerns, not just teen ones
- Says Green may just offer a more accessible treatment of themes, but that doesn’t make them less honest for the reader.
