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Friday, October 25, 2013

Trends in Children's and YA Literature

I was reading an article recently where the author was encouraging children's and YA authors to write more historical fiction.  He wrote that we need "more stories about the past, more substantive, well-written, vividly realized stories" presented in the form of historical novels.    And then he quoted the familiar observation that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".

Do you think there is a lack of historical fiction for young people?  If so, what do you think are the trends in literature for children and young adults that are perhaps pushing historical fiction to the sidelines?
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12 comments:

  1. MarianneOctober 25, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Ahhh...my favorite genre! It seems that the hot genre for authors to make money at these days (is that what it's all about? money?) is fantasy. My 6th graders are loving a series called "You Choose". They're choose-your-own-adventure books that are all historical settings.

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  2. JosephOctober 25, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    I don't know that there is a "lack" of historical fiction, as much as there is a "lack "of an appreciation for history - we are getting so far away from our past - both chronologically as well as emotionally. With so much information inundating our lives everyday, there is a greater sense and desire to escape to some other world. And I think there is still a sense of shame for some of our more recent past - Vietnam, Watergate, etc.. But I do think that knowing our history is important if we are to appreciate where we are and what we have. And there maybe some value to the "dystopian future" that is so popular in books these days. Combined in healthy doses with a knowledge and appreciation of our history, we may be able to avoid the worst in the future.

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  3. SherylOctober 25, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    I don't circulate alot of historical fiction, The Dear America and My America series used to be very popoular. The emphasis on fantasy has gone on long enough and the recent rash of dystopian type novels all seem to have the same plot. I hope some of the authors take up the challenge to write historical fiction. I do circulate alot of the interactive history books where the reader chooses the character and/or course of action. Also the history books in the you wouldn't want to be series read like fiction -they are entertaining.

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  4. TamaraOctober 28, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    There are a lot of historical fiction books written about the holocaust, WWII but not much else. I wish there were more really good American Historical fiction books, other than Dear America books. Those are not written on a YA level. It's really hard to interest students in historical fiction. I get some help from a few of the history teachers at East because they require their students to read some historical fiction, therefore, the reason I am always looking for really good YA Historical fiction. I agree with Joseph. I think we are losing our appreciation and interest in the past.

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  5. Dawn AnnOctober 28, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    I love to read historical fiction and non-fiction books to my students. When you introduce them to the kidos, they really enjoy them. I read Crispin the Cross of Lead by Avi, Palace Beautiful by Sarah Deford Williams, Westward to Home by Patricia Hermes, Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin, and Bill Peet: An Autobiography. The students really enjoy them. I argree with Tamara, there are so many books on WWII and the Holocaust. I find that my students really enjoy the Dear America books. It is a fun thing for me to help students find these books and love them as much as I do.

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  6. jeanne kOctober 30, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    I read a lot of historical fiction so I tend to order historical fiction as well. I just looked at my shelves and found some authors that my kids read. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. Christipher Paul Curtis' Bud, not Buddy, The Watsons go to Burmingham and Elijah of Buxton. Jennifer Holm wrote Our Own May Amelia, The Boston Jane series and Penny From Heaven. Gary Paulson wrote Nightjohn, Sarny and Soldier's Heart. Richard Peck (one of my personal favorite authors) wrote A long Way From Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, Season of Gifts (all featuring Grandma Dowdel), Fair Weather, Teacher's Funeral, Here Lies the Librarian, River Between Us, and Wings of Heroes. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. Patricia Wrede wrote a fantasy series - but historical - about the expansion of the West (with magical elements) 13th Child, Far West and Across the Great Divide. There are some really good historical fiction books out there.

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    Replies
    1. MargoNovember 18, 2013 at 10:47 AM

      The Richard Peck novels are some of my all time favorite books to read! Again, I sometimes get frustrated at having to explain so many historical connections, but the books are so charming and delightful. Wings of Heroes is just a great kids' eye view of the war, and Grandma Dowdel is my hero!

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  7. Jean B.October 31, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    I too love to read historical fiction. But I have to agree that fantasy has more than invaded the shelves of our library. Thanks Jeanne for listing so many great books. I had forgoten about some of them and now I will remember to recommend some of them to my students. I just think kids need to experience wider ranges of reading to help them decide what it is that they really like as opposed to what is popular at the time.

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  8. cathyNovember 5, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    I only order the graphic novels that deal with history or science. So the "comic books" in my library have substance. They are very popular. I also have the "You Choose" series, and I Survived. I don't order superhero novels, not even Captain Underpants, (because it gets stolen). Since I am the one to first introduce them to graphic novels, I want them to read meaty subjects instead of fluff. We have plenty of other fluff out there. Also, the kids that really like graphic novels have low reading levels, so not only are they reading "something", they are reading about history and science.

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  9. JeaneneNovember 7, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    Our world is changing so fast right now! Futuristic and Science Fiction books plus Fantasy seem to be what the kids crave. Even reading about growing up in the 50s would seem like a whole different world to the kids today. It is important to remember the past and reading Historical Fiction might help the kids gain perspective on how big a part of life technology has become today.

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  10. MargoNovember 18, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    I really love teaching with historical fiction, but am frustrated sometimes at how much 'scaffolding' of concepts I have to do to make the concept connect for them. Old traditions and says, and historical events that seem like they should still be common knowledge are just like a shot from the moon :)

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  11. JillDecember 2, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Here at Horizonte we are creating curriculum each session (we have 5) for Language Arts. Now they are reading "Night" by Elie Wiesel. Next session some of the grades will be reading "Of Mice and Men" which is the dust bowl.. The next session they will read "The Things they Carried" by Tim O'Brien about Vietnam. At least the kids will read historical fiction in classes. I have to agree, historical fiction is not the "thing" here. Teachers do say they have to front load. When you have 50% ish of students from another country, they have no clue. Hey, I was just trying to figure out how to make italics and I noticed that if you highlight the title of books and right click it allows you to google search. You all probably know that already, but it's an Aha moment for me.

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