Poetry and drama in YA literature

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Poetry and drama in YA literature

• Betty Marcoux
• LIS 566
• Fall Quarter 2004
• October 29, 2004

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EVERYBODY SAYSEverybody saysI look just like my
mother.Everybody saysIm the image of Aunt
Bee.Everybody saysMy nose is like my
fathersBut I want to look like ME!Dorothy
AldisKingfisher book of Family Poems, 2003, pg 17
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Michael Cart on PoetryCart, M. From Romance to
realism, 1996

• the difficult stepchild of YA literature, often
  neglected and usually misunderstood.
• Poetry obviously wants more attention, but
  because it is so intrinsically rich as to warrant
  a book of its own and because it is evaluated by
  means other than those used to address fiction I
  will leave that important work to other more
  qualified than I.

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How is poetry used today?

• National Poetry Month several emphases and
  options here
• Coffee house- open mike sessions
• KC Youth Service Center poetry makes up the
  largest percentage of the nonfiction collection.
• FRANK Mesa Public Library
• Original works
• Teen editorial board
• Distribution of magazine
• Purposes are many

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How can poetry be used today?

• Empowerment
• Respect
• Confidence
• Writing skills
• Networking
• Speaks meaningfully about YA topics
• Alternative way of speaking by and for YAs
• Booktalking (see Booktalkers Bible pgs 116-119
  for suggestions of poems to use this way)

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How is drama used today?

• Drama class
• Portray messages/ tell stories
• Communication/discussion tools
• Tying the traditional to modern issues
• Can be extemporaneous or not
• Interpretive
• Unique every time

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How can drama be used today?

• Way to ask important questions and get answers
• Can be used for realistic issues
• Interpretation of information as more universal
  than anticipated
• Creative outlet for the non-writer in some
  aspects
• Can connect to issues not dealt with in
  traditional literature/discussions
• Help YAs learn about themselves

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Why are drama poetry seen as non-fiction?

• They explain, describe, set an image
• Tend to be more than entertaining usually very
  thought-provoking
• Aronson definition in your URL reading.
• Aronson (1999) also states that while there are
  many books published for YAs, non-fiction ones
  tend to not have the same emphasis in publishing
  them.
• TEXT definition defines them by kind of book
  information book, poetry, drama.

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Interesting information on non-fiction
publications

• Nonfiction best-sellers often outsell fiction
  best-sellers (Dr. Phil, Chicken Soup)
• Documentaries often come from dramas and vice
  versa
• Fiction success often depends upon non-fiction
  attributes (realism, connections with life of
  reader) Often called realistic fiction
• Still a story so needs attributes of what makes
  a good story

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How to evaluate non-fiction

• Setting/scope
• Realistic goals for audience
• Theme
• Consistency of theme
• Tone
• Does the tone enhance the intent of the book?
• Style
• Judge it according to the purpose the author has
  in mind and according to the audience it is for.

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Suggestions for non-fiction evaluation

• Suggestions for Evaluating Informative
  Non-Fiction (page 280 of Nilsen-Lit for Todays
  YAs)
• Bias is a paramount issue for non-fiction
• Connection of message to that which is relevant
  to audience which can then bring them forward to
  greater learning.
• Connection to curriculum?
• Connection to personal YA issues of importance?
• Voice?

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Authors of note for YA non-fiction

• Design is appropriate for YA audience
• Trustworthy in terms of validity of information
  and its worth
• Writing for YA audience without being
  disrespectful or demeaning
• Care about the YA as much as the message

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Poetry and Drama and LeisureSilbereisen, R.
Adolescents Leisure-time Activities,
International Encyclopedia of the Social
Behavioral Sciences, 2003

• Leisure time varies for YAs across the world and
  in the US.
• Belief systems tend to dictate what is defined as
  leisure time productivity.
• Poetry and drama often seen as not productive
  activity other than in an academic setting.
• Need to show developmental connection of
  intellectual and emotional processes when
  exploring poetry and drama other than in an
  academic setting.

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WHEN I WAS YOUR AGEMy uncle said, How do you
get to school?I said, by bus, and my uncle
smiled.When I was your age, my uncle said,I
walked it barefoot seven miles.My uncle said,
How much weight can you tote?I said, One bag
of grain. My uncle laughed.When I was your
age, my uncle said,I could drive a wagon and
lift a calf.My uncle said, How many fights
have you had?I said, Two and both times I
got whipped.When I was your age, my uncle
said,I fought every day and was never
licked.My uncle said, How old are you?I
said, Nine and a half, and then My uncle
puffed out his chest and said,When I was your
ageI was ten.Shel Sivberstein
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Poetry, Drama, any non-fiction

• Does it meet the need?
• Can it be used in creative yet meaningful ways?
• Does it fit the issue and the concern?
• Is it age appropriate and can it be interpreted
  at an age appropriate point?
• Does the YA care or can I make the connections so
  they do care?

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YA Readers Advisory for Poetry and Drama

• Goals
• Match YA reading interest with reading collection
• Provide access for readers to library collection
• Learn the likes/dislikes of YA readers
• Promote reading through the use of documents
• Find the right book for the right YA at the right
  time for the right reason

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YA Readers Advisory for Poetry Drama

• Strategies
• Dont wait for them
• Ask questions
• Ask MORE questions
• Develop your favorites/your core
• Sift and sort narrow what you suggest
• Eliminate if not liked
• USE the books (if you liked this then you will
  like)
• Be smart and strategic
• Look on the return cart
• Be aware of their world
• DONT SAY
• I loved this.(gushy)
• This is used in schools a lot
• This is one that your teacher would like
• You really should read this because everyone
  reads it or should.

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General YA Readers Advisory Information

• More strategies
• Find a fit
• Aim higher than lower
• No advice may be the BEST advice
• Browsing is okay you dont have to always
  recommend
• OPAC
• Newsletters/booklists/catalogs
• if you like lists
• Displays
• Review file with YA reviews
• Personal services like the personal shopper
• Share ideas about recommendations like Quick
  Picks or other lists
• Use YA tools for selection
• Use technology automate readers advisory?
• Use conversations
• Use statistics
• Personal favorites count/personal core counts

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Book talk strategies

• Quick
• Hook me
• Active
• Format important
• Originality
• Make me excited about the subject
• Use the words that the book uses
• Display it
• What are the benefits of reading this (or not)?
• Be proactive about reading it or not (if not why
  not)
• Mix match graphics, reading formats, format
  of book talks, why bother, supplements (outside
  of school reading)
• Stay up to date

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Watch out for the kids!!!!