Why Are Children So Attracted to Reading Fantasy?

Children, as well as adults, are drawn to fantasy novels. Usually bright children who are in the fourth grade and above are most often drawn to fantasy novels.  A fantasy novel can tell a story that could not happen in the real world.  According to Vardell, “ …fantasy speaks to something deep within the human psyche- the wonder about our place in the universe.” There are five types of fantasy novels: low fantasy, ghost stories, high fantasy, science fiction, and fantasy series.  Many fantasy novels are adapted into movies.  I believe this keeps children excited as they can go see a movie about a book they have already read.  It can be a great activity to allow students to discuss differences they found in the movie and book. 

Evaluating Informational and Historical Fiction Books

Most students show little or not interest in reading historical fiction.  Many children feel that reading about history is "boring."  According to Charlotte Huck, historical fiction "dramatizes and humanizes" the past for us.  Informational books may also be hard to promote to children.  As media specialist, we must select historical fiction and informational books that are written from different perspectives to allow students to see themselves in history.  Offering books that may spark interest in the facts behind the story, will provide opportunities for promoting informational books on a particular subject.  Authenticity is one of the most important elements in  evaluating high quality historical fiction books  Literary elements such as characterization, plot, setting, theme, and style are also important when evaluating historical fiction. A different criterion is used to evaluate informational books such as accuracy, organization, design, and style.  Providing current and interesting resources to children can be vital in helping them realize what they can learn through historical fiction and informational books.

Using Historical Fiction and Informational Books Together in Teaching History

Historical fiction is a genre in literature that is written in a specific time period or to portray information about a time period or historical event. According to Sylvia Vardell, "Historical fiction may be one of the most difficult genres to promote."  Most children love to read realistic fiction, but may see historical fiction as boring.  According to critic, Jo Carr, informational books can be divided into two categories:  "nonfiction that stuffs in facts, as if children were vases to be filled, and nonfiction that ignites the imagination, as if children were indeed fires to be lit."  Children are enjoying informational books more than ever.  Using the two genres together to teach history can be a powerful tool.  When studying the Montgomery Bus Boycott, you can pair the following books together:  Freedom Walkers and Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues.  The historical fiction book, Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues, is set in June 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama.  The fictional character, Alfa Merryfield, learns from the bus boycott to "walk the walk and talk the talk" in the spirit of nonviolence.  Freedom Walkers is an informational book about Rosa Parks and her refusal to give up her bus seat which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  Both historical fiction and informational books must contain accurate information.  Providing sources of information other than textbooks can be very motivating for children.

Top Ten Challenged Books

The book And Tango Makes Three is back in the number one spot of the America Library Association’s Top Ten of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010.  In 2009, the book was listed in the number two spot after being number one the previous five years.  The reasons for challenging the book have been due to religious viewpoints and homosexuality.  Even though I have not personally read this particular book; I can understand why many parents would not think it would be suitable for their young children.  I was glad to see that Catcher in the Rye was taken off the list for 2010.  Some people have objected to the moral issues raised in the book and the context in which they are presented.  However, I believe it is a very good novel to help teens cope with feelings of angst.  These types of books may help teens identify and better deal with similar situations they may be experiencing in their own lives.  I was surprised to see Twilight listed as number ten on the list.  I have never experienced any complaints from parents about that series. 

What Makes a Book Controversial?

Most controversial books contain some of the following themes:  drugs, homosexuality, sexual content, religious viewpoint, suicide, offensive language, or anti-family.  The challenging of books is initiated more often by parents than other individual or group.  Librarians should follow materials selection policies, have a policy for challenged books, and be well-informed about intellectual freedom.  Hopefully, this will help a librarian be better prepared for challenges and complaints about controversial books.

Young Adult Articles

Teen Angst: My Burden Is So Deep:  Enduring EMO

The first article I chose was from the School Library Journal.  This was a great piece on how teens often experience the emotional roller coaster of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity.  Usually uncertainty and difficult circumstances lead to these emotional feelings.  One student expressed her feelings through library graffiti:  "I can never confess this out loud.  My burden is so deep.  He doesn't even know...he doesn't even care..." There were many great books listed to provide empathy to young adults.  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was listed as one of the best novels to help young adults cope with feelings of angst.  As adults, it is important to be aware of this type of teen behavior in order to provide intervention and guidance for these teens.


Meeting Readers Where They Are:  Mapping the intersection of research and practice

The School Library Journal did a wonderful job bringing my focus on engaging students in reading through choice, access, and social interaction.  Reward systems traditionally used to motivate students to read may not be as effective as it once was in the past.  Incorporating the social aspects of reading is very motivational for students.  Voice Thread, reading blogs, and podcasts are few ways to provide students with the social aspects of reading.  Social Networking tools, which are often blocked in many schools, can be useful in bringing students together.  Students who have access to reading materials are more likely to read.  Students who have time for recreational reading are more likely to show greater academic gains than those who do not.  Students who are given choices in what they want to read are more motivated to read.  I must remember that teens like being online...whether blogging, Facebook, or reading a book. They love social interaction and it is very motivating to them.

Online Article "Requirements For Healthy Development of Adolescent Youth"

"Requirements For Healthy Development of Adolescent Youth" was written about adolescent youth in the 1970's.  In this article adolescent youth were defined in three stages:

Early Adolescent 12 -15 years
Middle Adolescent  15 - 18 years
Late Adolescent 18 - 22 years

Several important cultural characteristics of the adolescent teen in the United States were discussed in this article.  I felt that the attribute of change is still particularly relevant to the culture of adolescents in our modern society.  "Attitudes of change come in all colors of the rainbow.  Some people embrace change simply for the sake of change.  Others fight it persistently."  I find that statement to be true with the adolescents of the 21st Century.  Some people thrive on change while others have difficulty adjusting to change in their lives.

Konopka described adolescence as the “Age of Commitment”.  She stated that it is the move into the” true interdependence of men.”   Frequently depicted in literature is the struggle between dependency and independence.  These expressions display for us the entrance into interdependence.  I feel we do a better job today of providing our children with positive ways in which to grow and develop and not just simply endure the adolescent years.
This article was published in ADOLESCENCE, Volume VIII Number 31, Fall 1973, pp. 1-26.

Young adults are defined by the American Library Association as youth aged 12 through 18.  Because there are no typical young adults, it is hard to purchase and promote materials geared toward one specific audience.  Just like the students I interviewed, today’s young adults are defined by heritage, environment, and individuality.  All five students I interviewed had various answers for each question.  Young adults today are interested in sports, music, academics, drama and sometimes more than one of those at a time.  It is a challenge today to find the right books to appeal to such a wide variety of interests.  One way to overcome this challenge is to listen and find out what young adults  like to read.  Observing what students are checking out and reading is another excellent way to determine what they like to read.

Young Adult Reading Preferences

I interviewed three males and two females between the ages of sixteen and seventeen. I found that most of the students I interviewed would rather read a novel than an informational book.  Some of their favorite authors were Nicholas Sparks, J.K. Rowlings, Ayn Rand, and Susanne Collins. Treasue Island, The Last Song, The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13), and Anthem  were listed as some of the best books they had read. Most of the students chose Facebook as their preferred Internet reading site.  Technology, mythology, modern warfare, historical fiction, adventure, and sports were some of topics they would like to read about.  The student responses were as different as the personalities of each student.

Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is an author-illustrator who has written about characters such as Lilly, Chester, and Chrysanthemum in his mouse books series.  He has written and illustrated picture books such as Little White Rabbit, Kitten’s First Full Moon and My Garden.  Kevin is the author of a number of novels including Olive’s Ocean and Bird Lake Moon.  He became an author-illustrator at the age of nineteen.  Kevin said that he loved drawing from an early age and that his parents and teachers told him he was good at it…that made him love drawing even more.  I look forward to learning more interesting facts about Kevin Henkes as I complete the illustrator project.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

I loved reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret so much that I had a hard time putting it down.  I felt like I was watching a silent movie as the illustrations picked up where the written words stopped. Brian Selznick throws the reader into a world of magic and dreams. This heartfelt story is thrilling to the end as Hugo finally realizes his dreams.  My daughter read this book in the fourth grade and loved it as well.  I would love to read more books by Brian Selznick.