Bruce Robbins article about using YA lit in high school English classes, is full of insight. I particularly enjoyed his idea that with out help some readers can be lost in the gap between middle school and high school because some kids can't effectively jump that gap alone, and this can make the young adults distrusting of books. This distancing from books can make some young adults become forced to read classic literature, which are usually books reluctant readers don't enjoy and because of this some readers can disengage and struggle to understand books through out the rest of their lives. I also like the methods and strategies Robbins article suggests for using new YA books and integrating them with the classics.
As for how to incorporate more contemporary YA materials I would consult the award winners, as well as doing my own research to find what classic could fit with what new YA book or material (suggest non print materials for my students to use to better understand themes, plot, dilemmas, etc.).
As for my own pairing of a classic with a relatively new YA book Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein copyright 2006, and Hamlet by Shakespeare would be my first choice of pairing for High School English Classes, that is not discussed by Robbins. I like Ophelia by Klein because it presents an alternate take where Hamlet takes a back seat to his lover Ophelia, and the book tells of the alternate point of view and different plot in a way that has Ophelia surviving, and searching for her life's meaning. It is a page turning thriller where all is revealed in the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment