YAL Definition

Erica's Definition:
Young Adult Literature provides a more mature understanding of the self and the world to young adults. The stories within this drama have a sense of immediacy, rather than nostalgia and focuses primarily on an individual’s experience (particularly a teen protagonist).

YAL is frequently described as bildungsroman novels that tell of a young person’s experience of love, death, adult responsibilities, etc. Usually these coming of age stories capture the innocent passion of adolescence and the discovery of the layering complexity of human existence. The protagonist then begins to experience desires and consequences within becoming an adult and these landmark experiences then become the construction of character/identity, serving as a road map while on their journey.

Owen, Mary. "Developing A Love Of Reading:Why Young Adult Literature Is Important." Orana 39.1 (2003): 11. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.

Death and Dying Unit Assignment

Using the Novel Nothing, Students will have a choice to complete one of the following:

A) Select an item of personal significance and create a personification poem, illustrating why it of sentimental value. What is its life like? What does it feel like? Bring the article to life and using imagery and detail to convey meaning.

B)Write a letter to Pierre Anthon or one of his classmates explaining what you would give/contribute to the heap of meaning and why it has value/significance to you. What questions or viewpoints would you share with this character about life and meaning and why.

Grandpa's Shoes

I miss the days when my soles were worn,

when they were filled with endless adventure.

Instead I am no longer worn,

but sitting lonesome

in a dark, empty closet.

I remember once walking on fresh pavement,

being glanced at and marveled over as many passed us by

Can someone tell me where has Grandpa been?

When will he come home?

If you see him tell him I say,

His once favorite shoes long to be worn again Someday.

Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.