Ah...this one's interesting.
I suppose it's true that I do have a soft spot for young adult novels.
There are a multitude of reasons for this, namely the recognition that so many of these novels touch on facets of life we find, still present, as adults. Lost love...unrequited love....the pains of finding your spot in life. So many of these novels are really a great depiction and example of the "Hero's Journey." We all find ourselves on some path at some point. It gets muddied, twisted, confusing and ridiculous.
I remember, to the day, the moment I realized it might behoove me to read what kids were reading. As a student teacher, there existed moments in which I had to remind my students to put their books down, in prep for the next task. It was with a happy heart, I watched some students red, completely immersed in another place. A place they could relate. A hero or heroine they responded to, respected and understood, whose challenges were similar to their own in life. I suppose what really pushed me was the desire to get to know what it was they really related to and what it was in a story, that made a book so hard to put down.
Mostly, I suppose I love young adult novels because there still exists on those pages a place in which a person might still be able to refine themselves and find a place they admire and adhere to.
For some of us, finding a character with whom we identify is a relief of sorts. To know that a person out there has experienced what we have and to see that person rise from the ashes is inspiring. And as an adult, we are able to recognize that though that character may be unreal, at least the author cares enough about something and someone to write a story about overcoming some loss or moment...
timer goes off...
I suppose it's true that I do have a soft spot for young adult novels.
There are a multitude of reasons for this, namely the recognition that so many of these novels touch on facets of life we find, still present, as adults. Lost love...unrequited love....the pains of finding your spot in life. So many of these novels are really a great depiction and example of the "Hero's Journey." We all find ourselves on some path at some point. It gets muddied, twisted, confusing and ridiculous.
I remember, to the day, the moment I realized it might behoove me to read what kids were reading. As a student teacher, there existed moments in which I had to remind my students to put their books down, in prep for the next task. It was with a happy heart, I watched some students red, completely immersed in another place. A place they could relate. A hero or heroine they responded to, respected and understood, whose challenges were similar to their own in life. I suppose what really pushed me was the desire to get to know what it was they really related to and what it was in a story, that made a book so hard to put down.
Mostly, I suppose I love young adult novels because there still exists on those pages a place in which a person might still be able to refine themselves and find a place they admire and adhere to.
For some of us, finding a character with whom we identify is a relief of sorts. To know that a person out there has experienced what we have and to see that person rise from the ashes is inspiring. And as an adult, we are able to recognize that though that character may be unreal, at least the author cares enough about something and someone to write a story about overcoming some loss or moment...
timer goes off...
