The Occult in YA Literature

Transcription

1 April 5, 2010 The Occult in YA Literature Janis Ray LIS 722 Val Kyriakopoulos

2 Elements Present in Occult Novels Angels Monsters Astrology Clairvoyance & ESP Demons Ghosts Vampires Werewolves Witches Zombies

3 Occult s Beginnings in YA Literature Charles Dickens [Christmas Carol] The Brothers Grimm [Fairy Tales] Washington Irving [Legend of Sleepy Hollow] Edgar Allan Poe [macabre short stories] Bram Stoker [Dracula] Mary Shelley [Frankenstein]

4 Inspirations to Occult YA Literature Charles Dickens ( ) The Brothers Grimm ( )

5 Inspirations to Occult YA Literature Washington Irving ( ) Edgar Allan Poe ( )

6 Inspirations to Occult YA Literature Mary Shelley ( ) Bram Stoker ( )

7 The Seeds Are Planted Rosemary s Baby by Ira Levin [1967] Carrie by Stephen King [1974] The Dark Forces (series) by various [1980 s] Twilight: Where Darkness Begins (series) by various [ ]

8 More Recent Examples Pete Hautman 2003 Annette Curtis Klause 1997 Nick Lake 2009

9 More Recent Examples William Sleator 2006 Brian Meehl 2008 Toby Barlow 2008

10 Series Authors Darren Shan [Demonata, Cirque Du Freak] Christopher Golden [The Hollow, Buffy] Stephenie Meyer [Twilight] Marlene Perez [Dead is the New Black] P. C. Cast & Kristen Cast [House of Night]

11 Why are teens drawn to occult literature? Feeling normal is a challenge all teens face at one time or another. Stepping into the shoes of a vampire, werewolf, or any other fantastical creature facing the same challenges the reader faces frees the mind to experience and imagine, and maybe find some answers. Chase M. Will The Alluring Darkness Summer 2008 issue of Young Adult Library Services

12 Challenges to YA Occult Novels The Usual Suspects: Offensive Language Violence Sexually Explicit Descriptions

13 Challenges to YA Occult Novels Specific Occult Elements Challenged: Witchcraft Satanic Themes Occult Themes Anti-Family Approach

14 YALSA Top Ten Lists New Moon by Stephenie Meyer 2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen 3. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles 4. Maximum Ride: School s Out Forever by James Patterson 5. Firegirl by Tony Abbott 6. All Hallows Eve (13 Stories)by Vivian Vande Velde 7. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer 8. River Secrets by Shannon Hale 9. Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe 10. Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

15 YALSA Top Ten Lists Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer 2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling 3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney 4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead 5. Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson 6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 7. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray 8. Extras by Scott Westerfeld 9. Before I Die by Jenny Downham 10. Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

16 YALSA Top Ten Lists Paper Towns by John Green 2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer 3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare 5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins 6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 7. Wake by Lisa McMann 8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast 9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart 10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

17 References Enoch Pratt Free Library. "Pratt Picks - Young Adult - Tales of Terror: Horror Novels for Teens - Enoch Pratt Free Library." Evanston Public Library. "Mysteries, Suspense & Horror." -suspense-a-horror&itemid=444&layout=default. Marcovitz, Hal. Teens and the Supernatural and Paranormal. The Gallup Youth Survey. Bromall, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, 2005.

18 References Monster Librarian. "Main Page." Pasadena Public Library. "Haunted Tales." Pasadena Public Library. "Thirteen Vampires."

19 References The Free Library by Farlex. "Classic books by famous authors - Free Online Library." Will, Chase M. "The Alluring Darkness: Finding Belonging in Fangs and Wands." Young Adult Library Services. Summer Vol. 6, no Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). "YALSA's Teens' Top Ten."

20 Don t ban what you don t understand