Why We Read
I would bet that everyone here in this room has one book from their childhood that they still give to friends. A book that says, this is my heart. This is what I mean.
One of the things that makes Young Adult literature so wonderful is that it is ageless. It has the ability to lift hearts, both young and old, with its variety and richness of truths told both in fiction and non-fiction. It has the strength to show us everything that we need to know and understand in order to transform us from who we were to who we are. Young adult literature has the power to be that book, the one we give to the children we know, or to the children that still live inside of us.
In literature for young people, we find everything that makes us human: whimsy, troubled history, science, love and worlds rich with magic.
-a portion of Cecil Castellucci’s speech for the LA Times Festival of Books introducing the YA literature category (winner was MARCHING FOR FREEDOM: WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN AND DON’T YOU GROW WEARY by Elizabeth Partridge).
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I agree. I think in all literature we find what makes us human. :)
That’s why I try so hard to expose my children to such a variety of literature. We never know what might spark their interest and love.
I agree. Middle grade books too. There’s nothing better than losing yourself in a book and finding experiences similar to your own or new ways to grow as a person.
Agreed!! And, I”m loving sharing my favorites with my own children. Instant bond!!
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I found a little gem: “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard. Takes me back to being a kid and expresses perfectly my friendship to so many wonderful people I’ve been blessed to associate with.
Great blog! And thanks for following mine. :)
I loved to read around age twelve. Every book was a perfect escape!
I love books that move me. I am continually on the search for them. And on the path to try and write them. :)
Yes, that’s why I read. I’m trying to find something that will show me my strengths. Great post!
“It has the ability to lift hearts, both young and old, with its variety and richness of truths told both in fiction and non-fiction.”
This is so true for YA. This is why I love writing it!
Yes! You are so right!! :-)
So many of my favourite books are books I read as a child or teen. Or as an adult – but the book is written for teens. :)
Great post. And so true.
I think I’ll still be reading YA when I’m 90. :)
Cecil is a lovely person! Besides being an amazing author, she truly adores reading and tirelessly promotes other authors at events throughout L.A.
She runs the YA book club (Pardon My Youth) at Skylight Books in Los Feliz if any of you live in SoCal and want to check it out. It’s always a great time!
http://www.skylightbooks.com/localauthors/333652