After reading Karen Coats article
Young Adult Literature: Growing Up, In Theory, and Markus Zusak's
Point of Departure article, I reflected back to my teen years and how I felt when reading a teen literature novel. I often didn't read when I was a teenager but I do remember how it felt when reading a book and how it touches your life forever. Thats how I felt when reading Judy Blume Books as a teen. I remember how it was "the right book at the right time in that ridiculously raw period of" (quote from Markus Kusak's article).
Markus Kusak (pictured left) stated how as a writer, there is a desire to do just that for someone,which is write the right book for that someone for that right time. Books can be more then just a piece of literature. Young Adult Literature can create a memory, such as reading that special book in that special spot, but it can also be viewed as "gateway drug" (Coats: pg.316). Teens need books as a form of safe release in this hectic world. Karen Coats article explores how books can be that place; where books can allow teens to identify with other teens like them. That is why I believe books are so important for children, teens, and adults of all ages. Yes, it's true, many teens lives revolve around sex, drugs, and "rock and roll/hip hop/rap/r&b/country/etc." And Yes, it's true, books can help teens grow into mature young adults. Teens can reflect upon the stories they read and how they may or may not relate to their lives. Teens can also place themselves in the other person's shoes when reading. These events are beneficial for personal growth as a teen. Teens are often questioning their identity and value, so books can be that escape as well as a learning environment. Kusak states "We owe it to them (teens), as much as to ourselves, to always make our goal simple and single-minded -- to write someone's favorite book" (Kusak: pg.330). I believe, as librarians, it is our responsibility to provide teens with that favorite book. Let's Do It!
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