Declarations Of Independence

Uncovers and traces the development of the young female protagonist from the role of submissive fairy-tale maiden to the spunkier more independent girls who now appear with increasing frequency in young adult literature. Focuses on American titles written in a time when young adult fiction began to adapt to the post-modern directions already established in fiction for adults. It is a unique exploration of characters portrayed with wit, intelligence, and will, reinforcing attributes seldom seen in earlier works about females. This next generation of heroines is the model with which today's readers can readily identify. With an annotated list of titles for suggested reading following each chapter, Declarations of Independence is the ideal resource for parents, middle and high school teachers and librarians. It should be a fixture in every public and undergraduate school library.

Uncovers and traces the development of the young female protagonist from the role of submissive fairy-tale maiden to the spunkier more independent girls who now appear with increasing frequency in young adult literature. Focuses on American titles written in a time when young adult fiction began to adapt to the post-modern directions already established in fiction for adults. It is a unique exploration of characters portrayed with wit, intelligence, and will, reinforcing attributes seldom seen in earlier works about females. This next generation of heroines is the model with which today's readers can readily identify. With an annotated list of titles for suggested reading following each chapter, Declarations of Independence is the ideal resource for parents, middle and high school teachers and librarians. It should be a fixture in every public and undergraduate school library.

School Library Journal

As societal expectations over time have changed to a more accepting view of women as independent, intelligent beings, so too has literature begun to reflect those changes. The authors use the term "empowered girls" to describe these new protagonists. There are discussions of young women in historical fiction, in the contemporary world, in fantasy, and in memoir. Chapters include analyses of novels and offer examples of female empowerment achieved in a variety of ways. Each chapter concludes with annotated suggestions for further reading. A bibliography cites the books mentioned throughout the text. A valuable exploration of the topic.-Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Joanne Brown is Associate Professor of English at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She is the author ofPresenting Kathryn Lasky in Twayne's United States Authors' series on writers for young adults, and has published short fiction, personal essays, and articles on young adult literature. Nancy St. Clair is an Associate Professor of English at Simpson College in Indiania, Iowa, where she also serves as Chair of the English department and as director of the Cornerstone and Senior Colloquium programs. She has published several articles on women's studies and young adult fiction.