Children and YA Fantasy Reference Book

[GOLLUM]

Hi Alia.

Below is a link to what looked like a very useful reference guide to YA/Children fantasy literature in the 20th Century. Thought you may want to take a look at this book:

Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults : A Comprehensive Guide Fifth Edition (Children's and Young Adult Literature Reference (HC) by Ruth Nadelman Lynn...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/102-3263062-2903307?v=glance&s=books

Book Description/Synopsis

This annotated bibliography of fantasy novels and story collections for children and young adults for grades 3-12 also has a research guide on the authors who write in this genre.

In part 1, the annotated bibliography, the books listed are novels and story collections published in English (including translations) between 1900 and 1994. Almost 1,500 titles have been added since the third edition (1989), making a total of more than 4,800 books. About 3,100 are numbered main titles, with the remainder being sequels or related works by the same author. Sixty titles out of print for 50 years are listed under "Books Deleted from the Fourth Edition." Entries note grade-level designation, reviewing sources, out-of-print status where necessary, and recommendation symbols where applicable (noting outstanding quality or classic status). Each book has a one-sentence annotation.

In part 2, the research guide, almost 4,000 new books, Ph.D. dissertations, and articles have been added to the 6,000 resources from the third edition. These references are divided into four areas: "Bibliographical and Reference Sources," "Critical and Historical Studies," "Educational Resources," and "Fantasy Literature Author Studies." An excellent introduction to fantasy literature covers definitions, classification, use with children and young people, criticism, and historical overview.
Indexed by author and illustrator, by title, and by subject, Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults is a valuable resource for librarians and teachers who work with young people and for students of children's literature. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Description

Since Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, fantasy has become the hottest genre for young readers today-thousands of fantasy novels have flooded into the market, and young readers can't get enough. Librarians can build their collections and advise readers with Lynn's comprehensive guide, describing and categorizing fantasy novels and story collections published between 1900 and 2004. More than 7,500 titles-nearly 2,800 new to this volume-for readers grades 3-12 are organized in chapters based on fantasy subgenres and themes, including animal, alternate worlds, time travel, witchcraft, and sorcery. Lynn provides complete bibliographic information, grade level, a brief annotation, and a list of review citations, and notes recommended titles.

 

[Alia]

Since Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, fantasy has become the hottest genre for young readers today-thousands of fantasy novels have flooded into the market, and young readers can't get enough. Librarians can build their collections and advise readers with Lynn's comprehensive guide, describing and categorizing fantasy novels and story collections published between 1900 and 2004.

Another note about YA Fiction (And this isn't found in the description on the website)...

Since Harry Potter many publishers are now allowing Y A authors to make their books longer in length, thus adding more descriptive material for a better read. Tamora Pierce is one author whose works have increasingly, over time, thicken. However, her books are not as long as an adult's book might be.

Then there are those authors, like Judy Blume whose books tetter on the edge of Adult and YA because of the descriptive content.
Things are changing for YA Fiction, and as the market grows, the boudaries will be tested. While I was doing research on the guidelines for this forum I did not find a set criteria that publishers went by in order to establish a book as either a children's book or YA or Adult. The books category basically depended upon the publisher and how he felt about the book. Needless to say, that didn't make my quest any easier, but it did present an issue with me. If the market is growing vastly as you mention above, then shouldn't there be a line drawn to seperate the genres? There will always be those books that fall close to the line... but it surprises me that there is not set standard the publishers go by when it involves children. I almost wonder (and this is a hideous thought) if warning labels on books should be applied, much like what they do for movies and music so parents will know a little about the content their children are reading.

Indeed, YA books have come a long way and grown vastly as a new genre in public. And with 7500 different titles out on the market with an additional 2800 books to be released, I don't think I'll ever be able to read another Adult Fantasy book again.

 

[GOLLUM]

HMMM.. thanks for that insight Alia, food for thought...

 

[Carter]

Another reference book (that also came out this year) is:

Quests and Kingdoms
A Grown-Up's Guide to Children's Fantasy Literature
K.V. Johansen
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0968802443/

Taking a chronological approach, Quests begins with the fairy-tale collections of d'Aulnoy, Perrault, and the Grimms and works its way up to the novels of J.K. Rowling and Garth Nix, covering over three centuries of fantasy read by children. The lives of 95 authors are looked at and placed in historical context, while their works are introduced through both synopses and analysis. Quests also includes chapters on Tolkien, retellings of traditional stories, and King Arthur and Robin Hood. More than 500 works are discussed, and the thorough index makes the book a practical reference resource as well as a history and an introduction to the best in the genre.