
Passions and Pleasures
Essays and Speeches About Literature and Libraries
Michael Cart(Author)
Scarecrow Press
Published on 21. February 2007
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-8108-5629-5 (ISBN)
Description
Passions and Pleasures: Essays and Speeches About Literature and Libraries is a collection of Michael Cart's favorite columns and speeches about young adult literature, how he has observed and participated in the growth of the genre, the changes it has undergone, and what he sees as its future. He talks about the importance of young adult literature in helping teens to navigate through the tough teen years, believing that books can change individual lives if they "constitute realistic literature inhabited by complex characters whose lives, both exterior and interior, invite us to not only empathize but to also think." Cart's seventeen essays and speeches discuss the current state of YA literature; the work of pioneers like Robert Lipsyte and Robert Cormier who provided thought-provoking, realistic fiction; why librarians and other educators should embrace the graphic novel; the evolution of GLBTQ fiction, why he believes that young lives are at stake, and how literature can help these young people; and why he loves libraries and librarians. His concluding essays are devoted to remembering champions of young people, like Robert Cormier, William Morris, and Michael Printz. This is a wonderfully engaging read for anyone who is interested in young adult literature and wants to learn about its roots, its evolution, and the people who pioneered it and continue to champion it today.
Reviews / Votes
Cart's writing is always readable and humorous....a necessary addition.... * VOYA, October 2007 * ...well-expressed, original ideas...will help librarians better serve young patrons. * Booklist, 10/15/2007 * I am persuaded that "a new age" has come and am ever sure that Michael Cart is its harbinger. * Children's Literature Association Quarterly, Spring 2008 * Cart (young adult literature, U. of California, Los Angeles), former director of the Beverly Hills Public Library, is a force in the movement to improve the quality and relevance of young adult (YA) literature, as reflected in this collection of articles and speeches. He remarks on the current state of YA literature and describes the growth of the field in both quality and quantity, examines the work of Robert Lipsyte and the creation of the Michael L. Printz Award, analyzes the impact of the graphic novel, examines the idea that libraries are refuges and retreats, recounts the role of humor and remembers friends and fellow warriors in the fight for quality YA literature. He pleads for more attention to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning literature for the YA segment, and advocates seeking and helping young adults at risk through the power of reading and communicating. * Reference and Research Book News, May 2007 *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
445 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8108-5629-5 (9780810856295)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michael Cart, recipient of the Grolier Foundation Award for distinguished contributions to young people and literature, teaches young adult literature at UCLA and is the author or editor of a dozen books, including the young adult novel My Father's Scar, which was selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and The Heart Has Its Reasons: Young Adult Literature with Gay/Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969-2004, coauthored with Christine A. Jenkins, (The Scarecrow Press, Inc. 2006).
Content
Part 1 Part I: A New Golden Age: The Renaissance of Young Adult Literature Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Of Risk and Revelation: The Current State of Young Adult Literature Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Robert Lipsyte: The Contender Becomes a Champion Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Creating the Michael L Printz Award: A New Book Prize for a New Millenium Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Comix.@$#! A Graphic Novel Book Discussion Program for Teens Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Young Adult LIterature: The State of a Restless Art Chapter 7 Chapter 6: At Last! An Answer to That Vexing Question Part 8 Part II: The Insiders Come Out: Gay and Lesbian Literature for Young Adults Chapter 9 Chapter 7: What a Wonderful World: Notes on the Evolution of GLBTQ Literature for Young Adults Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Lives are at Stake Part 11 Part III: Libraries and Librarians Chapter 12 Chapter 9: Here There Be Sanctuary: The Public Library as Refuge and Retreat Chapter 13 Chapter 10: America's Front Porch: The Public Library Chapter 14 Chapter 11: A Historic Occasion Part 15 Part IV: What's So Funny? Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Fanfare for Freddy: A Classic Neglected No Longer Chapter 17 Chapter 13: You CallThat Funny? Part 18 Part V: Rememberings Chapter 19 Chapter 14: Robert Cormier Remembered Chapter 20 Chapter 15: Bill Morris, the Last Civilized Man Chapter 21 Chapter 16: Who's Mike Printz Chapter 22 Chapter 17: Monroe Elementary, Mike, and Me: A Memoir Part 23 Index Part 24 About the Author