Beyond the Pale: New Essays for a New Era

by Marc Aronson

Overview

For nearly a decade Marc Aronson ran an imprint dedicated to international and multicultural literature for teens. He was known in the industry for publishing "edgy" books, and for his commitment to bringing the experiences of non-dominant authors and illustrators to the world. Yet in the summer of 2001 he wrote an essay that argued against awards, such as the Pure Belpre and Coretta Scott King prizes, for which you must be a member of a given ethnic group to win. Not surprisingly, his article was very controversial; and the author and publisher Andrea Davis Pinkney who had created an imprint specifically designed to be of, by, and for African Americans, published a thoughtful reply.

Here, in Beyond the Pale, Aronson explains the passionate convictions that led him to write his essay, and outlines objections made by others; then reprints the original alongside Pinkney's response.

As Aronson prepared a formal response to his critics, the attacks of September 11th took place. This tragedy simultaneously made a squabble among authors seem petty, and the issues around art, society, and cultural diversity all the more important. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Aronson wrote essays in which he weighed out how art, history, and books for younger readers could respond to the altered world. As in his previous collection, Exploding the Myths, the Truth About Teenagers and Reading, he exposes the mythologies and false beliefs that distort our understanding of books and their readers.

Provocative and informative, this collection of essays will challenge those who know children's literature well to think in new ways, while linking the debates within that industry to the wider intellectual currents of our time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810846388
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/25/2003
Series:	Studies in Young Adult Literature , #9
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.64(w) x 8.82(h) x 0.76(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marc Aronson is Editorial Director and Vice-President of Non-Fiction Content Development at Carus Publishing company and has written widely on young adult literature.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Section 1: What Is the "Multi" in Muliticulture? Part 2 Section 2: 9/11 and Its Aftermath, Art Part 3 Section 3: 9/11 and Its Aftermath, History Part 4 Section 4: Teen Troubles, the Challenges of Publishing for Adolescent Readers Part 5 Secttion 5: Boy Troubles, the Challenges of Being a Male Reader Part 6 Section 6: Back to Particulars and Universals

Editorial Reviews

This single volume reveals the wider context of Aronson's particular concerns as a publisher, writer, and reader of young adult literature. Passionate and unafraid of stirring up controversy, Aronson notes the gap between what young people want to know and read and what well-meaning adults want them to know and read.

The Horn Book Magazine

Aronson's words will prompt discussion about the direction of young adult literature, and his thoughts will resound throughout the library field...Controversial? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Is it a must-read for professionals working with young adults? A definite yes.

VOYA

This single volume reveals the wider context of Aronson's particular concerns as a publisher, writer, and reader of young adult literature. Passionate and unafraid of stirring up controversy, Aronson notes the gap between what young people want to know and read and what well-meaning adults want them to know and read.--The Horn Book Magazine

Aronson's words will prompt discussion about the direction of young adult literature, and his thoughts will resound throughout the library field...Controversial? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Is it a must-read for professionals working with young adults? A definite yes.--VOYA

....presents a cohesive whole of multiple ideas....This excellent book should be required reading for anyone who cares about young adults and their literature.--Library Journal

From the Publisher

Teachers, librarians, and students of children's and young adult literature will appreciate the breadth and clarity of this book, as well as the impressive bibliographies of fantasy and of professional reading on it. The authors first set down the definition of and criteria for successful fantasy and then break the genre down into its subgenres, using plenty of examples to illustrate the literature's various manifestations, from fairy tales (both traditional and original) to talking-animal tales to gothic fantasy to heroic-ethical fantasy, and everything in between. The coverage is somewhat uneven, with pages and pages spent on certain authors or books, with others (the "Harry Potter" books being only one example) barely touched on. Information on specific subgenres can be hard to locate; discussion on animal fantasy, for example, is buried deep within the "Mixed Fantasy" chapter and does not appear in the index. There are also several mistakes; for example, E. Nesbit's Five Children and It is referred to in every case as The Children and It. Most importantly, though, the authors' passion for their subject comes through clearly; their arguments concerning the value of fantasy for young people are convincing, and their descriptions of its many jewels will have readers browsing libraries and bookstores for books by Alan Garner, Ursula Le Guin, Nesbit, and others.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal