Declarations of Independence - (Studies in Young Adult Literature) Annotated by Joanne Brown & Nancy St Clair (Hardcover)

About the Book

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 ...

Book Synopsis

Female empowerment-especially among girls-is one of the most significant issues to come out of the 90's, and one that will continue to play a significant role in the new millennium. But how do we define empowerment? And more importantly, how do we identify its characteristics within literature? With problems like teenage eating disorders and pregnancy still very much at the core of American society, it is no surprise that a book as important as Declarations of Independence is the latest addition to Scarecrow Press's Studies in Young Adult Literature. Authors Brown and St. Clair use their collective expertise to uncover and trace 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. This next generation of heroines is the model with which today's readers can readily identify and who the authors believe, become agents of social change for young women.

Through careful research that draws on recent scholarship about female adolescent development, situates this shift to stronger female protagonists within a larger cultural context. The empowered girls of this title are defined through close reading of a variety of stories and genres in which they appear-historical and multicultural fiction, social realism, romance and adventure, fantasy, and memoir-with emphasis on books published after 1990. The result is a collection of essays on literature about adolescent girls who have real feelings, passions, and sometimes, rebellious attitudes, and who act upon those feelings, passions, and attitudes to take control of their lives-unlike most of their predecessors, whose fulfillment lay mainly in achieving beauty and suitors.

With an annotated list of titles for suggested reading following each chapter Declarations of Independence is the ideal resource for middle and high school teachers, for school and public librarians, a

Review Quotes

"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

"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

"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

"...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 valuable exploration of the topic." --School Library Journal

...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...

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

A valuable exploration of the topic.

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.

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

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.

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.