Lost Masterworks of Young Adult Literature

by Connie S. Zitlow (Editor)

Overview

Lost Masterworks of Young Adult Literature brings to the attention of librarians, teachers, and publishers works of young adult literature that are considered to be worthy of a far wider readership than they currently receive. Many of these "lost works" are either out of print or are lost to the attention of many young readers and to adults who promote young adult literature as a worthy and enjoyable genre. A compilation of 26 essays, each focusing on an individual work of literature or on a series of books treated as one, have been written by a stunning list of contributors. Twenty-six contributors each a known writer in the field of young adult literature, focus on an individual work of literature or on a series of books treated as one.

Each essay discusses why the book is of interest, profiles its critical qualities that make it a "masterwork" for young adults, and reviews how and why the book appeals to teen readers and how it can be used in the classroom. Aspects of the plot—primary characters, events, and the setting—are embedded in the discussion of each essay, giving an overview to readers who are not familiar with the book.

Contributors include Virginia Euwer Wolff, Katherine Paterson, Sue Ellen Bridgers, Kathleen Krull, and many other award-winning authors. This is an important resource for those who teach young adults and who provide reader's advisory services, as well as for those involved in curriculum planning and instructional design.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810843608
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/31/2002
Series:	Studies in Young Adult Literature , #8
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	5.68(w) x 8.76(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Dr. Connie S. Zitlow is Professor of Education and Director of Secondary Education at Ohio Wesleyan University. She is the former President and Board Member of the Assembly on Adolescent Literature. She is one of the leading professors of young adult literature on the university level.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Noah's Castle by John Rowe Townsend: A World Too Nasty to Miss out on Chapter 2 Bobby Marks Redux: Reconsidering Robert Lipsyte's Summer Rules and The Summerboy Chapter 3 Welcome Back, Smith! Four Leon Garfield Masterpieces Chapter 4 A Southern Voice Recalled: Two Novels by Mildred Lee Chapter 5 A Gringo Comes of Age in the Southwest: Richard Bradford's Red Sky at Morning Chapter 6 Real Stories, Real Voices: The Lost Works of Janet Bode Chapter 7 Gleeps, or a Case for Trixie Belden Chapter 8 The Last Mission by Harry Mazer: Heroism and Hell in World War II Chapter 9 Sex Education by Jenny Davis: Lessons in Caring and Healing Chapter 10 Opening Up: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend Chapter 11 Belonging to a Place: Home Before Dark by Sue Ellen Bridgers Chapter 12 The Law and Magic: Searching for Incantations in Sol Stein's The Magician Chapter 13 Sharon Bell Mathis's Listen for the Fig Tree: A Timeless YA Novel Chapter 14 Humanity and Its Discontents in The Keeper of the Isis Light by Monica Hughes Chapter 15 Two Forgotten Novels by Bruce Clements Chapter 16 Aidan Chambers's Breaktime: A Lost Masterwork by a Found Master Craftsman Chapter 17 About Living On: Sheila's Dying by Alden Carter Chapter 18 Send No Blessings and The Year of the Gopher: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Lost Masterpieces about Setting One's Own Course Chapter 19 Finding One's Place in the World: The Catalogue of the Universe by Margaret Mahy Chapter 20 Portrait of Abuse: Cages of Glass, Flowers of Time by Charlotte Culin Chapter 21 The Quartzsite Trip by William Hogan: A Life-Changing Week Chapter 22 Her Own Way: Pragmatic Abstinence in Norma Fox Mazer's Up in Seth's Room Chapter 23 "We Cut Ourselves": Revisiting Crosses by Shelley Stoehr Chapter 24 Blinded by the Light by Robin Brancato: A Forgotten Masterwork Chapter 25 Searching for Identity and Reconciliation: In Summer Light by Zibby Oneal Chapter 26 Some Thoughts on My First Novel Going out of Print

Editorial Reviews

The format, enabling strong professionals to talk about outstanding writers, with biographical information for both, offers neophytes a multilayered opportunity to learn about significant names and ideas—past and present—in young adult literature.

VOYA

Zitlow (Ohio Wesleyan U.) presents 26 essays in which authors bemoan the news that some of their favorite books for young people have gone out of print. The works examined span genres from fiction to non- fiction and from science fiction to more standard young adult fare. Each essay explores a particular author or work, discussing what makes the literature great. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews