In the fall of 2021, an engaged group of NYU graduate students assembled to discuss Angie Thomas' YA novel "The Hate U Give." The class was composed of one Black student among a group of white students. On the night the group discussed "The Hate U Give," the freedom of discourse broke down significantly. The white students…

This issue of the Occasional Papers Series aims to draw attention to the use of storytelling as a medium for provoking dialogue about inclusive classrooms and school communities. It offers readers stories of classroom life that provide insights into understanding the complexities that make up the lives of children with disabilities, their…

Describes how the author, in a course titled "Literature for Adolescents" paired Walter Dean Myers' 1988 young adult novel, "Scorpions," with Paul Laurence Dunbar's 1902 novel for adults, "The Sport of the Gods." Describes student readers' responses to the pair of books, which focus on the difficulties of growing up…

This article describes the participation of two urban middle schools in a faculty book club, in which adults and students meet together on a regular basis to discuss works of adolescent literature. The participation of students and adults in book clubs was voluntary, and people were invited to come even if they had not read or finished the book…

Describes three studies funded by the ALAN Foundation: the first study examines the potential impact that young adult literature has on a group of high school students; the second examines use of young adult literature in middle school classes in New York City; and the third study surveys 60 professors about their young adult literature courses.…

Discusses a young adult novel with an unusual theme: a neglected boy roams the New York City subways by day and makes his home in a cave. (NKA)