TEXTBOOK COLLECTION

Divisions of Young People’s Literature

There are four categories: 

Children’s Literature

Middle Grade/Tween

Young Adult

New Adult

I.       Children’s Literature

A.    0-8 years of age

B.    Includes

                                                    i.     Wordless Picture Books

                                                  ii.     Picture Books

                                                iii.     Easy Readers

                                                iv.     Illustrated Chapter Books

                                                  v.     Early Chapter Books

                                                vi.     Novels with very little illustrations

                                               vii.     Examples include

1.     Princess Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

2.     The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

3.     Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

II.    Middle Grade/Tween

A.    8-12 years old

B.    Examples of Middle Grade Books are

                                                    i.     Roller Girl

                                                  ii.     George

                                                iii.     The Thing About Jellyfish

                                                iv.     Raymie Nightingale by Kate DeCamillo

C.    Do not get confused with Middle School Kids

                                                    i.     Middle school kids are 11-13 years of age

                                                  ii.     Example of Middle School books are

1.     Drama by Raina Telgemeier

2.     Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

3.     Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

                                                iii.     Topics deal with tougher issues and more older ages

III.  Young Adult

A.    13-18 years old

B.    Examples of Young Adult Books are

                                                    i.     Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

                                                  ii.     Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

                                                iii.     Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

                                                iv.     Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

C.    Need to look at the topic of the book to determine if middle school students are ready for these types of themes.

IV.  New Adult

A.    18-30 years of age

B.    Category came about in 2009 when St. Martin’s Press hosted a writing contest where they were looking for “cutting edge” fiction with protagonists who are slightly older than young adults and can appeal to an adult audience.

C.    Most of the time New Adult books deal with

                                                    i.     First Major Relationships

                                                  ii.     First College Experiences

D.    Examples of New Adult Books

                                                    i.     November 9 by Colleen Hoover

                                                  ii.     Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

                                                iii.     This is Falling by Ginger Scott

Keep in mind that Middle School is not a category of literature.  But they have the hardest time finding literature that they like.  They tend to want to read Young Adult books, but sometimes they are not quite ready for those types of books. 

Reflection:  It was interesting to read about the different categories that are listed.  I had no idea that New Adult literature actually existed.  What concerns me somewhat is that will I be able to have the appropriate literature available for my students to read.  Will, I be able to have literature that is age appropriate that my students will be able to enjoy?  Will, I be too much of a prude and feel that my students are not ready for some of the topics that are being discussed in the books.  I know I need to be open and seek advice from my fellow librarians through the various chat forums and get their opinions on some of these books.