|
Sep. 21, 2006
A Discovery
Much to my surprise the other day, I discovered a secret source of great literature.
It was not where you might think it would be...
I discovered that one of the greatest sources of modern literature is the YOUNG ADULT category.
Now, there are some books that are considered CHILDREN'S fiction, that
quite frankly I'd have put more in the young adult category, and vice
versa, but still... there is a well of talent there.
It started with Eragon...
Christopher Paolini was a homeschooled teenager when he started to
write it. The book sits on the Young Adult ficiton shelves, but I
am not exactly sure why, as the book is more than enough to satisfy an
adult mind!
Then I found Philip Pullman and His Dark Materials
trilogy. Pullman is an excellent author, but his book is very
anti-church... coming at it from the viewpoint of someone who reads
profusely and can actully see FICTION when it is written... it was well
done and very inventive.
Of course, I wrote about Harry Potter... you can see that!
Now... why was this a discovery? I remember numerous great Young
Adult authors out there... Diana Wynne Jones (I loved her Chrestomanci
books), Tamora Pearce... there are many others I read and loved as a
teenager and forgot all about until now. For some reason, Young
Adult books always brought to mind the Sweet Valley High and various horror novels I gobbled up. Judy Blume
does not write the kind of Young Adult fiction I would want my kids
reading, and so I tended to lump the whole bunch in with these less
than stellar examples.
It's true, sometimes we want to read what Charlotte Mason called twaddle... and most modern English and Americans call junk. Sometimes junk is the only thing that can calm the worried mind or while away a few hours in pleasure.
Other times we like to read a story that nourishes us. A story
that builds characters and feeling, that allows us to pariticipate in
the story.
I admit, I am not likely to pass by the Young Adult
books at the library quite as quickly as I do now... they definitely
deserve another look!
|
| •
Post A Comment! •
Send to a Friend!
|
Comments
|
|
|
|
About Me
I'm a 29 year old mother of two, who loves to read, bake, knit and homeschool... You can also read my husband's 'rantings' at the link below ;)
|
I am currently having problems blogging here. Please check
my nature blog for more information.
Nature Blog
|
Sep. 23, 2006 - I just saw a news piece on the Eragon...
blessings
Jessica