Based on a genre approach to literature, Essentials of Adolescent Literature offers a comprehensive, clear, and succinct overview of adolescent literature, includes recommended books listed by genre and topic, and provides clearly stated positions on current issues affecting schools and literature. Written by well-known authors Carl Tomlinson and Carol Lynch-Brown, this resource for teachers, librarians, and parents places emphasis on having adolescents read a wide variety of young adult literature and addresses all types and formats of literature including novels, short stories, graphic novels, and picture books for older readers. In addition, notable authors are featured in each genre chapter and multicultural and international literature is integrated throughout and treated more fully in its own chapter.   Unique to the market, this long-awaited book also includes strong pedagogical chapters that provide practical strategies for connecting secondary school students with young adult books such as how to select books that students will read and enjoy, how to motivate resistant readers to read, and how to develop text sets for classroom study across the curriculum. Teachers will be equipped with the knowledge to use trade books as excellent teaching and learning materials and will not be limited to using textbooks alone.   Finally, Dr. Tomlinson and Dr. Lynch-Brown engage readers by offering a thorough discussion of the major trends and issues affecting young adult literature, such as censorship, the literary canon, and accountability.

Table of Contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS     PART I YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE   CHAPTER 1         Understanding Young Adults and Young Adult Literature                 Definition of Young Adulthood                 Definition of Young Adult Literature                 History of Young Adult Literature                 The Benefits and Values of Young Adult Literature                 Evaluating and Selecting Young Adult Literature                                 Know the Reader                                 Know the Books                                 Reliable Selection Sources                 Research on Young Adult Literature                 Approaches to Interpreting Young Adult Literature                 References CHAPTER 2         Learning about Books                 Elements of Fiction                                 Plot                                 Characters                                 Setting                                 Theme                                 Style                 Fictional Literary Forms                                 Novel                                 Short Story                                 Picture Book                                 Graphic Novel                 Balance and Variety in Book Selections                 Genres of Literature                 References   PART II                 GENRES OF LITERATURE   CHAPTER 3         Realistic Fiction                 Definition and Description                 Evaluation and Selection of Realistic Fiction                 Topics of Realistic Fiction                                 Families                                 Peers                                 Romance and Sexuality                                 Coming of Age                                                     Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Behavioral Challenges                                 Communities                                 Adventure and Survival                                 Sports                                 Mysteries                 References                 Recommended Books   CHAPTER 4         Modern Fantasy                 Definition and Description                 Evaluation and Selection of Modern Fantasy                 Types of Modern Fantasy                                 Modern Folktales                                 Magical Realism                                 Stories of the Supernatural                                 Special Fantasy Situations                                 Historical Fantasy                                 Quest Adventures                                 Science Fiction                 References                 Recommended Books   CHAPTER 5         Historical Fiction                 Definition and Description                 Evaluation and Selection                 Topics in Historical fiction                 Themes in Historical Fiction                                 Periods of History in Fiction                                                 Beginnings of Civilization up to 3000 B.C.                                                 Civilizations of the Ancient World, 3000 B.C. to 600 A.D.                                                 Civilizations of the Medieval World, 600 to1500                                                 Emergence of Modern Nations, 1500 to 1800                                                 Development of Industrial Society, 1800-1914                                                 World Wars in the Twentieth Century. 1914 to 1945 Post-World War II Era, 1945 to 1980s                 References                 Recommended Books            CHAPTER 6         Nonfiction: Biography and Informational Books                 Definition and Description                 Elements of Nonfiction                 Reading Nonfiction                 Formats of Nonfiction for Young Adults                 Evaluation and Selection of Nonfiction                 Types of Biographies                                 Authentic Biography                                 Fictionalized Biography                                 Biographical Fiction                 Topics of Informational Books                                 Biological Science                                 Physical Science                                 Social Science                                 Applied Science                                 Humanities                 References                 Recommended Books   CHAPTER 7         Poetry and Plays                 SECTION ONE: Poetry                 Definition and Description                 Types of Poetry Books                                 Anthologies of Poetry Poetry Books by a Single Poet                 Thematic Poetry Books Single Illustrated Poetry Books                 Elements of Poetry                 Evaluation and Selection of Poetry                 Poetry Types and Forms                 Poetry in the Classroom Teachers Reading Poetry Aloud to Students Students Listening To and Saying Poems   Choral Poetry Students Reading Poetry Students Writing Poems SECTION TWO: Plays                  Definition and Description                 Evaluation and Selection                 Types of Plays                 References                 Recommended Poetry Books                 Recommended Books of Plays   CHAPTER 8         Multicultural and International Literature                 SECTION ONE: Multicultural Literature                 Definition and Description                 Values of Multicultural Literature for Young Adults                 Evaluation and Selection of Multicultural Literature                 Types of Multicultural Literature                                 African American Literature                                 Asian American Literature                                 Jewish Literature                                 Latino Literature                                 Native American Literature                 SECTION TWO: International Literature                 Definition and Description                 Values of International Literature for Young Adults                 Evaluation and Selection of International Literature                 International Books by World Regions                 References                 Recommended Multicultural Books                 Recommended International Books   PART III                LITERATURE IN THE SCHOOLS   CHAPTER 9         Teaching Strategies                 Experiencing Literature                                 Reading Aloud by Teachers                                                 Book Selection                                                 Preparation                                                 Reading Aloud Effectively                                 Booktalks                                 Independent Reading by Students                                 Assigned Reading                                                 Literature Anthologies                                                 Text Sets                                 Literature Across the Curriculum                                 Films Based on Young Adult Books                 Responding to Literature                                 Book Discussions                                 Critical Thinking                                 Written Response                                 Literary Works as Writing Models                                 Newspapers and Newsletters                                 Traditional Book Reports                                 Creative Drama                                 Readers’ Theatre                                 Time Lines, Maps, Diagrams, and Charts                                 Jackdaws                 References   CHAPTER 10  Resistant Readers and Young Adult Literature                 Identifying Resistant Readers                                 Good to Average Readers Who Choose Not To Read                                 Students Who Struggle with Reading                                 Ethnic and Racial Minorities Who Resist Reading                                 English Language Learners Who Resist Reading                                 Boys Who Resist Reading                 Knowing Students’ General Reading Interests                                 Reading Interests of Adolescents                                 Reading Interests of Adolescent Resistant Readers                 Discovering Reading Interests of Individual Students                 Judging the Difficulty of Reading Materials                 Reaching Resistant Readers                                 Create a Classroom Environment Conducive to Reading                                                 Be a Supportive Teacher                                                 Provide Appropriate Reading Materials                                                 Read Aloud to Students Regularly                                                 Provide Students Time to Read Independently                                                 Provide Means for Student Response to Literature                                                 Assign Reading for Homework                                 Provide a Library Media Center Environment Conducive to Reading                                 Establish a School Environment Conducive to Reading                                                 Collaborate With School Administrators                                                 Collaborate With the School Librarian                                                 Collaborate With Fellow Teachers                                                                 Summer Reading Programs                                                                 Book Fairs                                                                 Author Visits                                                 Make Good Use of the Local Public Library                 References   CHAPTER 11  Issues in Young Adult Literature                 Accountability and Reading                 The Classics and Young Adult Literature                 Censorship                 References   APPENDICES                 APPENDIX A                       Book Awards                                 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature                                 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature                                 Newbery Medal                                 Carnegie Medal: Great Britain                                 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards                                 The Governor General’s Literary Awards: Canada                                 Book of the Year for Older Readers Award: Australia                                 Coretta Scott King Awards                                 Pura Belpré Awards                                 Margaret A. Edwards Award                                 Phoenix Award                 APPENDIX B                        Magazines for Young Adults   FEATURES                 EARLY IMPORTANT WORKS                                 In the Development of Realistic Fiction                                 In the Development of Modern Fantasy                                 In the Development of Historical Fiction                                 In the Development of Nonfiction                                 In the Development of Multicultural Literature                                 In the Development of International Literature                 NOTABLE AUTHORS                                 Authors of Realistic Fiction                                 Authors of Modern Fantasy                                 Authors of Historical Fiction                                 Authors of Nonfiction                                 Poets and Playwrights                                 Authors of Multicultural Literature                                 Authors of International Literature