LSSL 5385 Chapter 2 Review

In chapter two of the LSSL 5385 textbook titled, Divisions of Young People, the divisions of how children’s literature is divided is clearly laid out. The first category is children’s literature. This is is written for children ages 0-8 years. Typically books in this category include wordless picture books, regular picture books, easy readers, and early chapter books. The next category is middle grade/tween which is meant for ages 8-12 years. It is important to remember the difference between middle grade books and middle school years. Some books might be too mature for 8 year olds, but is written for middle school years, so you must be careful when recommending this age range books. The next category is young adult. This category is written for ages 13-18 years. Typically, this is going to be your high school aged students. Finally, we have our last category, new adult, which is written for ages 18-30 years. These novels are written for recent high school graduates and college students. 

After hearing the different categories clearly defined, I was intrigued and a bit consoled in the last category, new adult. I was intrigued because I hadn’t heard of this category before. I actually had no idea that “new adult” was even a targeted audience for readers. I was then consoled because this is the category that I personally fall into and it makes me feel better that I still read young adult, or should I say new adult, as a 27 -year-old. Before finding out about this category, I would be embarrassed, at times, to walk into Barnes and Noble and head to the young adult section of the store, but now I know I have no reason to be. I am actually the targeted audience for these authors and publishers.