Divisions of Young People's Literature

Divisions of Young People’s Literature

Summary

Young people’s literature consists of four different divisions, which are children’s literature, middle grade/tween, young adult, and new adult. Children’s literature covers from zero to eight years old. This category includes wordless picture books, regular picture books, easy readers, and illustrated chapter books. Middle grade/Tween shelters eight to twelve years old. Children these ages tend to like graphic novels like Roller Girl and George. However, people often confuse middle school with middles grade. Librarians have to be careful in choosing books because some books will not be very appropriate for children eight years old, but are for those that are twelve. Young adult consist of those from ages thirteen through eighteen. Again, this is another category where issues can appear because some books can be appropriate and some can’t. New adult are those that are eighteen through thirty years old. This category developed when St. Martins Press hosted a writing contest. New adult books typically deal with recent graduates that go through change.

Reflection:

This breakdown of the four different divisions makes it very clear for us to see the difference between age ranges. It is important to be careful when choosing a book in certain divisions such as middle grade/tween and young adult. Middle school is not a category, it is actually a group of students that a lot of the time are interested in young adult books, nevertheless, some of these students are not quite prepared for them. On the other hand, some of the books that are out there for them seem to be very childish. As a future librarian this chapter prepared me to be knowledgeable on the subjects certain books contain in order for me to know which ones are appropriate depending on age.