Research Project in Young Adult Literature (20% of final grade)

"Until you understand a writer's ignorance, presume yourself ignorant of his understanding."

--STC, Biographia 2.12

"The reader should be carried foreward, not merely or chiefly by the mechanical impulse of curiosity, or by a restless desire to arrive at the final solution; but by the pleasurable activity of mind excited by the attractions of the journey itself " --Biographia 2.167	

 

Components:

Section 1: Submit an Explication de texte on a book selected from the attached list. This will be an analytical close reading . Absolutely no research is permitted for this section. 5 pages

Section 2: Write an analysis that discusses how this book fits today's Young Adult reader. Refer to class notes, developmental theories, and critical issues. This must be a minimum of 3 pages.

Section 3. Write 10 questions/quotations and answer/interpret briefly. Connect to other works of literature (classics or recent works), to poems, short stories, films, music, art, science, and/or history. Consider how other books (including even those we have studied this semester) are similar.

Section 4. CREDIT/NO CREDIT You must present a SINGLE-page synopsis of your findings to the class (make enough copies for the whole class). In order to receive full credit for this Research Project, you must make an oral presentation. You will be allowed 5-7 minutes for your presentation. You may be as creative as you wish.

Section 5: The Library Component for the Research Project. For Section 3 of the Research Project, choose one.

Option A. (2 pgs.) Biographical Investigation. Locate and read two articles from a variety of informative sources. Focus on the relationship between the author and his/her writing YA literature. You may find it necessary to familiarize yourself with other books by the same author. Issues of race, culture, and ethnicity should also be considered. Provide a two-page summary-analysis of your research and include (representative) photocopies of all articles.

Option B. (2 pgs.) Critical Crux. Research the problem and read two scholarly articles about the issue. Present your findings and analysis of the arguments in a brief discussion of two pages. This option will require critical and interpretive comprehension. For this option, you must provide a two-page analysis of your research and provide representative photocopies or complete photocopies of all articles.

Option C. (2 pgs.) Teaching and Learning. Find materials related to teaching your book; contact and discuss with a teacher/student for his/her response to the book either in person or preferably on the Web. Write up a two-page description of your findings and provide photocopies of lesson plans or extra material you consider helpful.

Read one of the following books:

• Armstrong, J. The Dreams of Mairhe Mehan.
• Avi. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.
• Bawden, N. The Real Plato Jones.
• Bond, Nancy. A String in the Harp.
• Brooks, Bruce. Midnight Hour Encores.
• Cannon, A. E. The Shadow Brothers.
• Cooney, Caroline B. Both Sides of Time
• Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice.
• Dickinson, Peter. A Bone from the Dry Sea.
• ---. Eva.
• Farmer, Nancy. A Girl Named Disaster.
• ---. The Ear, the eye, and the Arm.
• Farrar. The String in the Harp.
• Fenner, Carol. Yolanda's Genius.
• Freeman, Suzanne. The Cuckoo's Child.
• Giff, Patricia. Lily's Crossing.
• Greene, B. The Summer of My German Soldier.
• Haddix, Margaret. Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey.
• Hamilton, V. The Planet of Junior Brown
• ---. Cousins.
• Heglang, Jean. Into the Forest.
• Hesse, K. Out of the Dust.
• Kim, H. The Long Season of Rain.
• Lachtman, Ofelia Dumas. The Girl from Playa Blanca.
• L'Engle, M. Ring of Endless Light.
• Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted.
• Mowry, Jess. Ghost Train.
• Paton-Walsh, J. A Parcel of Patterns.
• Pearson, K. A Handful of Time.
• Reiss, K. Pale Phoenix.
• Sutcliff, Rosemary. The Eagle of the Ninth
• Turner, Megan Whalen. The Thief.
• Velasquez, Gloria. Juanita Fights the School Board.
• Voight, C. When She Hollers.
• Williams-Garcia, Rita. Like Sisters on the Homefront.
• Wolff, Virginia Euwer. The Mozart Season.
• Yolen, J. The Devil's Arithmetic

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