Young Adults. How Do they Prefer their Literature?

Beers spoke of different ways in which our adolescent's literature as evolved in the years sine its introduction. It began with titles such as The Outsiders, The Pigman, and The Chocolate War (79). And has since moved to titles that include The Book Thief, Looking for Alaska, ttyl, etc. Teachers have been reconstructing their reading curriculum according to their students' reading interests and have attempted to peak their interest with classroom novels with each change made. Something I found very interesting within the chapter was the discussion of multi view novels in which there is more than one key narrator, but it is also not considered omniscient view (70). The use of these narrators helps the reader better identify not only with them but with the story as well. I think, as a teacher, that it is important for me to stress the material but to also help the students understand the reading to the best of their ability. Another aspect I found very interesting was the "Blended-Genre Books" (69) section within the chapter that spoke of books that carry historical value but are written in a sci fi manner that has the ability to draw the reader in, primarily an adolescent, and to keep his attention in the writing style but to also provide significant historical information within the text. There are countless other examples of these blended genres, and I feel as though these would be of very good use within my own classroom. It was interesting to learn that children can be learning two different subject matters as they divulge within one novel. I liked the idea of being able to discuss with the students, or within literature circles, the differences between the historical significance of the events or the made up events also within the novel by the author. This chapter really shed light on different areas I would like to reach within my own curriculum.
I also feel as though Burke supplies excellent ideas for the future educator with strategies 5, 6, 8, and 9. 5 says "Create the Conditions for Effective Learning" (Burke, 15) this is an idea I have thought about since attending a racially diverse, practically dirt poor high school. Our teachers scraped by with grossly worn texts handed out to each student, expecting it returned in that condition. In providing these materials for my students I can better help them achieve the understanding of the reading better. Hopefully. 6 says "Be a Model Reader" (18) a theory that I think every student should always impress upon their students. Teachers should have an understanding of knowing what to read when, not only in order to suggest good material for their students but to have a general knowledge of the subject matter of those novels. I also like the idea of impressing good reading habits with a fun bulletin board and even reading out loud to the students. 8 greatly accompanied 6 with "Talk About Reading" a skill in which I think most educators do not do justice. I like the peer mentor notion of having students discuss the reading with fellow classmates, it allows for the 'nerd' side to talk about the reading in a manner in which no student should feel judged. 8 also agrees with 9 in "Make Room for Essential Conversations" (25). These conversations should be taking place among or between students in gaining a better understanding of the reading. These skills have definitely helped me to better visualize the classroom I once may call my own.