Gender Issues in Young Adult Literature

Abstract

Whether we are expanding our lives through knowledge or imagination, there is no doubt that reading plays a crucial role in this process. Largely because of this, reading continues to be one of the most highly debated components in the education of our children. When they are young we argue the best way to teach children to read. Once we’ve taught them how, the arguments turn to the best way to actually get them do it. Any educator or librarian knows you can lead teens to a book but you can’t make them read it. So we do everything from forcing them to read (mandatory school reading times) to bribery (reading incentive programs). Yet, in our quest to persuade young adults to read, we may sometimes forget that it is also important what they read and what they take away from the experience.