Week Four Post One

I personally enjoyed the Alexie novel a great deal. I am also currently finding that posting *after* class is a mistake, because I'm certain I am going to repeat myself. I do keep wondering if we have trouble categorizing the novel as YA literature because it is good. Often the arguments for YA literature involve scaffolding, and by extension, the inability of some students to comprehend more difficult works. We often do not see YA as another type of literature with different but valid uses. I often find YA literature simple, flat, and almost insulting in its condescension. Most times I have been assigned the works I loathed them for the lack of subtly and abundance of stereotypes. But, maybe that is a function of bad literature rather than merely the genre. I liked The Chocolate War and The Absolutely True. I also look forward to reading The Book Thief. As more well-known and respected adult authors are writing YA literature these books can possibly be better tools in school. There was mention of a Joyce Carol Oates YA novel, and I am curious to read it. She is a great author who produces work that students can learn a great deal from while still including other benefits of YA literature. Hopefully there will be more quality literature geared towards younger audiences.