Lessons in Disability: Essays on Teaching with Young Adult Literature

by Jacob Stratman (Editor)

Overview

Disability is a growing reality. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 57 million people--19 percent of the population--had a disability in 2010, more than half being reported as "severe."

Interest in disability studies is also growing, in literature, film, art, politics and religion. Exploring the intersection between disability and young adult literature, this collection of new essays fills a gap in scholarship between teachers and YAL scholars. The contributors offer textual analysis, best practices and numerous examples that enable teachers to expose students to dynamic characters who both reflect and contrast with the reader's reality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786499328
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	11/30/2015
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jacob Stratman is associate professor of English and chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division at John Brown University. His articles on young adult literature have been published in SIGNAL, English Journal, Christianity and Literature and Literature and Belief. He lives in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v

Introduction: Exploring Disability through Young Adult Literature Jacob Stratman 1

Part 1 Disability, Young Adult Literature and Pedagogical Strategies 9

The Social Construction of Disabilities and Differences: Cultivating Appreciation of Diversity in an Elementary Classroom through Critical Reading, Writing and Reflection Anne Katz 9

A Little Piece of Evan: Adolescent Literature and the Autism Spectrum Jeanne Dutton Jennifer Miller 32

Middle School Adolescents Developing Critical Stances Around Difference in Young Adolescent Literature in Literature Circles Jeanne Gilliam Fain Lesley Craig-Unkefer 53

Teaching and Reading Wonder and Marcelo in the Real World with Critical Eyes Abbye Meyer Emily Wender 72

(Re)Defining Disability with the Schneider Family Book Award and Community Engagement Jacob Stratman 100

Using YA Literature That Portrays Disabilities as Canonical Companions Janine J. Darragh 123

Part 2 Disability, Young Adult Literature and Literary Theory 149

Beowulf and Aesthetic Nervousness: A Multidimensional Pedagogy Darcy Mullen 149

"So tough, so brave, the consummate survivor": War, Trauma and Disability in the Harry Potter Series Marc Napolitano 177

Deconstructing Disability: The Dragons and Girls in Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea and Merrie Haskell's Handbook for Dragonslayers Erin Wyble Newcomb 200

"Without a word or sign": Enmeshing Deaf and Gay Identity in Young Adult Literature Angel Daniel Matos 221

About the Contributors 245

Index 247

Editorial Reviews

fills a gap...the book presents a comprehensive whole, interrogating ideas for classroom practice as well as offering in-depth analyses of young adult fiction. The scope of academic references and literary theory included here is commendable...intriguing.... Readers will no doubt find new suggested reading here for adolescents in addition to fresh lenses on familiar titles.... a substantial and welcome resource”—Center for Young People's Literature & Culture.

From the Publisher