Donelson, K.L. & Nilsen, A.P. (1989). Literature for today’s young adults (3rd ed.). Harper Collins.

OVERVIEW

This popular text for English courses is widely used by America’s colleges and universities. It is a great resource for the youth worker who is interested in finding and using adolescent literature for reaching kids. The text organizes novels and short stories into themes that address issues of adolescence, including a section on troubled youth. Each chapter ends with an annotated list of "30 recommendations for reading" on particular themes.

The following is the list of themes most relevant to youth service:

• The adventure/accomplishment romance.
• Accomplishment stories with religious themes.
• Stories of the supernatural.
• Mysteries.
• Utopias.

An entire chapter devoted to heroes begins by addressing the questions, "Who Are the Heroes? Who Needs Them?" The types of leaders mentioned follow:

• Quiet heroes.
• Heroes in biographies and autobiographies.
• Heroes in sports.
• Heroes in death.
• Heroes in war.
• Heroes of the Holocaust.

Also included is a section entitled "Non-fiction to Help Teenagers Learn Who They Are and Where They Fit." A segment on poetry discusses and lists works pertinent to the young adult. There is also a large section on humor.

An important section called "Using YA Literature in Clarifying Human Relations and Values" focuses on focuses on a period of classical literature that contains several themes of morality. For further reference, the youth worker may heed the section that covers popular literature and the section that suggests "Nine Outstanding Writers for Young Adults."

IMPLICATIONS

1. Stories are wonderful resources for sharing ideas and principles.
2. Acquiring resources is important; using the resource is key.
3. This is an excellent tool that addresses a wide variety of relevant themes for young people who are developing their own principles and value systems.

Craig Kunkle and Anne Montague cCYS