ENG350: Literature for Young Adults
Summer I, 2008

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (1999) ISBN: 0142407321 (208 pp.)
  Very funny look at high school life, with serious themes, a Michael L. Printz honor book.  See the made-for-TV movie. 
• Inexcusable by Chris Lynch (2005) ISBN: 9781416939726 (176 pp.)
  A teen rationalizes his date-rape of a friend.  A National Book Award finalist.
• Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez (2002) ISBN: 9780440237846 (166 pp.)
  An autobiographical novel about escaping life under dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 2004 winner of Pura Belpre Award.
• The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993) ISBN: 9780440237686 (192 pp.)
  A futuristic story of a community that has achieved peace but at the price of rigid conformity.  1994 Newbery Award Winner.
• Dark Sons by Nikki Grimes (2005) ISBN: 9781423102519 (224 pp.)
  In a narrative of poems, the stories of the Biblical Ishmael and a contemporary Black youth are told, exploring the heartache of their fathers' rejection.
• Monster by Walter Dean Myers (1999) ISBN: 9780064407311 (288 pp.)
  A teen on trial tells his story in screenplay format, alternating with diary entries.  Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and a National Book Award finalist.
• A Step from Heaven by An Na (2001) ISBN: 9780142500279 (160 pp.)
  This first novel by a young Korean American writer won the Michael L. Printz award. It tells the story of an immigrant family's adjustment to living in America.
• True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff (2001) ISBN: 9780689852886 (264 pp.)
  In a series of short poetic chapters, a gifted inner-city student forges a future in science and tries to maintain friendship with conservative Christian friends.  A National Book Award winner and Michael L. Printz honor book.
• The First Part Last by Angela Johnson (2004) ISBN: 9780689849237 (144 pp.)
  Michael L. Printz Award
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007) ISBN: 9780316013680 (240 pp.)
• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2006) ISBN: 9781596431522 (240 pp.)
  Graphic novel format

• Course Description
• Assignments
• Schedule

Resources

• Book List for Teachers--some YA classics and award-winners
• YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association)
• The ALAN Review
• The Horn Book, Inc.
• Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
• The National Book Awards
• Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
• Young Readers Choice Awards
• Teenreads.com  
• Alexander Mack Memorial Library: Online Literature Resource Center (See eResources for Literature and Languages)
• Thematic Guide to Young Adult Literature by Dr. Trupe

If you're not sure whether to take this class, just ask someone who has taken it in Interterm or Summer I.  We read some really interesting books and have some really interesting discussions!