fantasy and science fiction book reviewsFirst, congratulations to erysimum for winning our cover art contest last week. Please contact us to let us know which book you would like from our stacks.

Now, on to the main business of the day.

Next Thursday I am guest lecturing in a college class on YA literature. I’ve been asked to speak about the state of the YA Fantasy market. The class is designed for people who are planning to teach at the junior high or high school level, and I’m turning to you for some advice. I got my list of classics every kid should read, and some of the hot new books, but I want your help here. If you had a captive audience of prospective junior high teachers, what would you tell them about fantasy literature? If you could go back and make your reading experience better, what would it take?

And also, when are we going to see an end to the vampire trend? Is steampunk as big among the YA audience as it is becoming amongst the adults?

Thanks for your help. I’ll pick a random commenter to win a book of their choice from our stacks.

Author

  • Ruth Arnell

    RUTH ARNELL (on FanLit's staff January 2009 — August 2013) earned a Ph.D. in political science and is a college professor in Idaho. From a young age she has maxed out her library card the way some people do credit cards. Ruth started reading fantasy with A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — books that still occupy an honored spot on her bookshelf today. Ruth and her husband have a young son, but their house is actually presided over by a flame-point Siamese who answers, sometimes, to the name of Griffon.