Declarations of Independence: Empowered Girls in Young Adult Literature, 1990-2001

by Joanne Brown, Nancy St. Clair

Overview

Uncovers and traces the development of the young female protagonist from the role of submissive fairy-tale maiden to the spunkier more independent girls who now appear with increasing frequency in young adult literature. Focuses on American titles written in a time when young adult fiction began to adapt to the post-modern directions already established in fiction for adults. It is a unique exploration of characters portrayed with wit, intelligence, and will, reinforcing attributes seldom seen in earlier works about females. This next generation of heroines is the model with which today's readers can readily identify. With an annotated list of titles for suggested reading following each chapter, Declarations of Independence is the ideal resource for parents, middle and high school teachers and librarians. It should be a fixture in every public and undergraduate school library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810842908
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/01/2002
Series:	Studies in Young Adult Literature , #7
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Joanne Brown is Associate Professor of English at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She is the author ofPresenting Kathryn Lasky in Twayne's United States Authors' series on writers for young adults, and has published short fiction, personal essays, and articles on young adult literature. Nancy St. Clair is an Associate Professor of English at Simpson College in Indiania, Iowa, where she also serves as Chair of the English department and as director of the Cornerstone and Senior Colloquium programs. She has published several articles on women's studies and young adult fiction.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 That Was Then Chapter 2 This Is Now Chapter 3 Empowered Girls in Historical Fiction Chapter 4 Empowered Girls in the Contemporary World Chapter 5 Empowered Girls in Literature of the Fantastic Chapter 6 Empowered Girls in Memoir Chapter 7 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

...a wonderful overview of books published in the last decade or so that feature 'spunky, fiery, empowered girls' as protagonists. The book is a fantastic resource for everyone...this book does an excellent job...

Feminist Collections: A Quarterly Of Women's Studies Resources

A fascinating, illuminating study that would be a fine addition to all academic and large public libraries.

Booklist

Examining 'historical fiction, contemporary realism, and literature of the fantastic,' this book shows how these genres offer new images of girlhood for their readers. Anyone interested in girls' literature will find this an absorbing, thoughtful study, one that sheds new light on contemporary young adult literature and gender issues.

Choice Reviews

Readable and lucid...highly recommended for all those working with teens and their literature as well as for students in undergraduate and graduate courses.

VOYA

This book is a wonderful tool for those working with adolescent girls, particularly teachers of English literature. The book offers a welcome perspective to adolescent development and empowerment. Those working with adolescent females will find the book useful for finding books that will inspire and communicate to today's young girls.

The Children's Literature Program

Examining 'historical fiction, contemporary realism, and literature of the fantastic,' this book shows how these genres offer new images of girlhood for their readers. Anyone interested in girls' literature will find this an absorbing, thoughtful study, one that sheds new light on contemporary young adult literature and gender issues.

Choice

Examining 'historical fiction, contemporary realism, and literature of the fantastic, ' this book shows how these genres offer new images of girlhood for their readers. Anyone interested in girls' literature will find this an absorbing, thoughtful study, one that sheds new light on contemporary young adult literature and gender issues.--CHOICE

A fascinating, illuminating study that would be a fine addition to all academic and large public libraries.--Booklist

Readable and lucid...highly recommended for all those working with teens and their literature as well as for students in undergraduate and graduate courses.--VOYA

From the Publisher

Examining 'historical fiction, contemporary realism, and literature of the fantastic,' this book shows how these genres offer new images of girlhood for their readers. Anyone interested in girls' literature will find this an absorbing, thoughtful study, one that sheds new light on contemporary young adult literature and gender issues.

CHOICE

...a wonderful overview of books published in the last decade or so that feature 'spunky, fiery, empowered girls' as protagonists. The book is a fantastic resource for everyone...this book does an excellent job...

Feminist Collections: A Quarterly Of Women's Studies Resources

A fascinating, illuminating study that would be a fine addition to all academic and large public libraries.

Booklist

Arguing that fiction creates as well as reflects codes of behavior, Brown (English, Drake U.) and St. Clair (English, Simpson College) study the gradual development of the empowered young female protagonist in literature and survey young adult literature of the 1990s, seeking empowered role models for young girls. Separate chapters are devoted to historical fiction, fiction set in the contemporary world, the literature of the fantastic, and memoir. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews