Stephanie Eliason

Prof. Warner

April 25, 2007

Annotated Bibliography

Alienation and Individuality in Young Adult Literature

Several months ago I was walking through Barnes and Noble when a paperback book with a bright blue cover caught my attention. I picked up Jerry Spinelli�s Stargirl and I have enjoyed that book since the moment I started reading it. I thought this book provided young adults the awareness of issues involving alienation, individuality, and conformity. Although this book is not a canonical work, I was determined to get in into my annotated bibliography and I was in search for any canonical text so that I could talk about Stargirl once again.

The Scarlet Letter was definitely not my favorite book in high school and I find it ironic that four years later I am presenting on its themes. I chose this classic because Hester deals with alienation, discrimination, and individuality in her society. She doesn�t have the chance to conform because she represents disgust. I looked at her character and sought to find texts that deal with the similar issues from different perspectives.

Young adults today are faced with so many challenges that some can not even imagine such as: growing up with homosexual parents, witnessing a suicide, losing best friends to significant other. And often times the situations are deeper than that. The sources in this annotated bibliography are meant to reach out to young adults so they know they are not alone in this huge world. Although they may feel alienated in their own society, there is someone else in another society that is in the exact same position. Words can move mountains, or comfort a troubled teen.

The texts in this annotated bibliography explore the themes of homosexuality, conformity, secrecy, abuse, and troubled friendships. The modern songs provide insight to young adults that some of today�s musicians are actually singing meaningful songs. The source by Emerson can be used to show teens that even historical literature can hold powerful meanings relating to individuality. The poem can be used to show students that writing, of any style, can be a method of release in expressing emotions.

The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to provide young adults with sources to help comfort them when they are feeling lost or on the outside of the crowd. It is also to open the eyes of young adults so they can see the troubles that their peers may be facing. Adults can find this small list of sources helpful if they are in search of a book for a trouble teen. Each book explores a different theme, but all relate to some kind of alienation.

Anonymous. �Hidden Truth.� 21 April 2007. <http://teenpoetry.student.com/ poem.php?pid=266693>

This poem is mainly composed of verbs but together to create a poem of feelings. The author had a lot trapped inside, and the verbs help portray the author�s emotions. I inferred that the poem was written by a student that faced individuality or alienation.

I chose this poem because it is written by a teen and students can easily relate to a poem that could have been written from one of their peers. The diction and vocabulary can be easily related to. I believe this source provides a first hand insight into the mind of a person that has shut themselves out.

Bauer, Marion Dane. Am I Blue? Coming Out From the Silence. New York: Harper Trophy, 1994.

This collection of 18 short stories by recognized children's and young adult authors explores the various meanings of gay/lesbian identity in the lives of teenagers. The book begins and ends with thoughtful commentaries by Bauer, and each story is followed by an afterward by its author that ranges from ho-hum to fascinating; the best tell the "story behind the story" and reveal the ways in which gay/lesbian issues or individuals have touched the authors' lives. Most feature white, middle-class, suburban/urban milieus, although several stories have a more diverse cast than is generally found in YA fiction. All seek to convey the very mixed emotions that accompany the acceptance of sexual difference at an age that places a high value on conformity to an established norm. (Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

I chose this source because young adults who are dealing with homosexuality are often alienated in schools and in social groups. Some young adults are openly discriminated against and this book is a resource for them to see that they are not alone. Perhaps students want to read about what it�s like to be on the outside of the circle, this book would be the source for them. Also, this book provides many different stories and perspectives from which students have a variety of authors they could connect to.

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books, 1974

Does Jerry Renault dare to disturb the universe? You wouldn't think that his refusal to sell chocolates during his school's fundraiser would create such a stir, but it does; it's as if the whole school comes apart at the seams. To some, Jerry is a hero, but to others, he becomes a scapegoat--a target for their pent-up hatred. And Jerry? He's just trying to stand up for what he believes, but perhaps there is no way for him to escape becoming a pawn in this game of control; students are pitted against other students, fighting for honor--or are they fighting for their lives? (Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

This story takes an ordinary school activity and puts it into a completely different perspective. Often times kids sell things because they have to or their parents make them, but they don�t do it for themselves. This story shows a young man�s difficult decision between conforming to his peers and standing for what he believes in. I think many students will be able to relate, especially when they have a point of view different from everyone else.

Crutcher, Chris. Chinese Handcuffs. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1989.

Dillon Hemingway is a brilliant student and athlete whose older brother, Preston, gets involved with a motorcycle gang, loses his legs in a bike accident, and later blows his head away in full view of his younger brother. Dillon writes long letters to his dead brother to tell him about Stacy, who was Preston's girl and the mother of their child but who may secretly love Dillon, and Jennifer, star basketball player, whose father sexually abused her and whose stepfather, a madman, also abuses her. Dillon's mother walked out on his family some years before. (Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

I chose this book because it pertains to the topic in a new light. Dillon faces personal struggles from experiencing his brother�s death. Such an experience can lead to someone shutting the world out in fear of what someone else might do to hurt themselves. Jennifer faces alienation because of the secret she holds about her abuse. This leads to alienation because if she allows anyone too close to her, they might discover her secret.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. �Self Reliance,� The Essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Random House, 1944.

Self-Reliance," first published in Essays (First Series) in 1841, is widely considered to be the definitive statement of Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy of individualism and the finest example of his prose. The essay is a fabric woven of many threads, from a journal entry written as early as 1832 to material first delivered in lectures between 1836 and 1839. Emerson was known for his repeated use of the phrase ��trust thyself." "Self-Reliance" is his explanation�both systematic and passionate�of what he meant by this and of why he was moved to make it his catch-phrase. Every individual possesses a unique genius, Emerson argues, that can only be revealed when that individual has the courage to trust his or her own thoughts, attitudes, and inclinations against all public disapproval. (Summary taken from www.enotes.com)

I chose to include this work with this theme because it adds a literary historical piece to this collection of titles. The important message from this essay is to �trust thyself� which is an underlying issue when dealing with alienation and individuality. Students are so quick to follow the latest trend or to pick on the minority that they don�t take a moment to listen to their conscience and trust their instinct. Students will find it interesting that a historical figure, like Emerson, wrote an essay dealing with this topic many years ago.

Fredericks, Marian. The True Meaning of Cleavage. New York: Simon Pulse, 2003.

Jess and Sari, best friends, are starting their freshman year at Eldridge Alternative. Sari immediately falls "madly, psychotically in love" with senior David Cole, who is dating Thea, the most popular girl in school. Sari is pretty, "hot" even, with plenty of cleavage; she goes out of her way to attract David's attention and the two of them begin to have secret sexual encounters. Jess, the narrator, is smart, artistic (not hot), and into science fiction. The two girls begin to drift apart as the affair with David leads to a monomaniacal Sari, leaving Jess with practically no friends save the odd, social-misfit Danny. (Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

I chose this story because I think many young women can relate to the situation; I know that I have been in Jess� situation before. Sari is wrapped up in her own world and Jess is left as the outsider. I think many young women have drifted from a friend because of a boyfriend. I know that I have also been the friend that gets a boyfriend. It can sometimes be hard to balance relationships, and this story comes from the alienated friend�s view. Jess is losing her best friend and she didn�t even do anything to deserve it. This story supplements the topic of alienation through the aspect of friendship.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Signet Classis, 1999.

In seventeenth century Boston, Hester Prynn, unwed, gives birth to a daughter. She is condemned to wear a scarlet �A� on her chest for �adultery.� Hester and her daughter live outside of town to avoid the mockery of the townsfolk. After many secrets and surprises, Hester and her daughter leave for Europe. Hester returns many years later, but no one knows what happened to her daughter.

I chose this classic as my canonical work because it has so many intriguing aspects. First of all, many students find it a rough journey to get through this story. I also had this problem when I read it my junior year of high school. Hawthorne�s masterpiece links perfectly to the theme through Hester�s character. She alienates herself and her daughter as much as possible to escape the ridicule of the townspeople. She has chosen to raise her daughter as an individual, without a father-figure, also relating to the overall theme. Perhaps after venturing through some of the other titles listed in this bibliography, students will be more encouraged to take on The Scarlet Letter. I think students will find interest in how the times have changed for unwed mothers.

Rinaldi, Ann. A Break With Charity. San Diego: Gulliver Books, 1992.

This story of the Salem witch trials is told 14 years later from the perspective of a young woman who lingered on the fringes of the bewitched girls' circle in 1692. Susanna English, daughter of a free-thinking Salem family, is both attracted to and frightened by what she sees brewing in Tituba's kitchen. When the group begins to ``cry out'' on townspeople, one girl admits to Susanna that they are playing a game, seeking freedom from the harsh Puritan code of con duct. As the game gains momentum, the circle begins to believe in its own power. One young woman warns Susanna that if she betrays them, the bewitched girls will accuse her family. In fact, Susanna's family is torn apart, and so is all of Salem. (Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

I chose this story because it relates to The Scarlet Letter by referring to the seventeenth century. The young girl is faced with an older version of fitting into the �in� crowd. Although Susanna isn�t quite sure about the girls� circle, she wants to be part of them and at the same time, her conscience is causing her to hesitate. This book is helpful in providing a historical context to the theme of individuality. Susanna is trying to figure how who she is and where she stands.

Simple Plan. �Welcome to My Life.� Still Not Getting Any. Lava Records, 2004.

This song explains the troubled lives that some teens go through and it provides insight to the world that many teens think adults don�t understand. It explores many different emotions, including that of alienation.

I chose this song because it always makes me feel better when I�m feeling down. It is the song to listen to when you feel like there isn�t a single person out there that understands you. This group is also a mainstream band, and the youth can relate to their meaningful songs. With a �punk� style, this musical group reaches out to touch teens that are dealing with difficult issues in their lives and the song may help students open up to insightful journal writing.

Simpson, Ashlee. �Shadow.� Autobiography. Geffen Records, 2004.

Ashlee Simpson is a musician that arose after her pop sister, Jessica Simpson. This song is about Ashlee�s experience before she hit the spotlight, when she was living in the shadow of her sister�s dream. The song talks about how lost she was and how alone she felt when the attention was focused on her older sister.

I chose this song because many people thing that celebrities live perfect lives when in fact, they face many challenges day to day. Some people may thing that the Simpson family is very well-off with the two daughters in the spotlight, but in reality Ashlee went through a lot of personal issues of alienation from her family before she emerged. Young women may relate to her more over young men, but her popularity attracts a large crowd no matter what.

Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books, 2000.

Stargirl is the new girl on campus at Mica High and she has people talking right from the start. From singing to each student on their birthday to fully decorating her desk in each class with flowers, Stargirl is definitely one different from the rest. Leo is an average high school kid who falls in love with Stargirl, but things turn from bad to worse when everyone in the school begins to ignore her and then ignore him too. Leo must decide what is more important: what she thinks or what everyone else thinks?

This is the book that sparked the theme of this project. I chose Stargirl on the shelf at Barnes & Noble and read it for my Book Talk. I enjoyed the themes and lessons and I had to use the book in someway for this project. This book is helpful because it takes place in a high school setting and it explores the themes of alienation and individuality through several characters. Stargirl�s character falls into both categories. This story shows what can happen when society adjusts or compromises with the differences or another individual or group.

Switchfoot. �This Is Your Life.� The Beautiful Letdown. Sony Records, 2003.

This is a song of reflection about the life you are living and whether or not you are happy with it. It basically asks if you are the person that you had always hoped you would be, because this is it.

I chose this song because I think it can be very powerful if used in the right environment. If a youth hears it and they are the ones that are bullies, they might rethink their actions. If a person that is alienated hears the song, it might help them with the courage to stand up for themselves. If a person struggling with their individuality hears it, they might rethink their actions and look inside to see who they really are and what they really want to do in their world. It is a powerful and enriching song for everyone, not just teens.

Other References:

Poe, Elizabeth Ann. �Alienation from Society in The Scarlet Letter and The Chocolate War.� Adolescent Literature as a Complement to the Classics. Vol. 1. Norwood: Christopher-Gordon Publisters, Inc., 1993.

Redford, Steve. �Transcending the Group, Discovering Both Self and Public Spirit.� The Alan Review. 2006. 33:2.

Warner, Mary L. �Books about Identity, Discrimination, and Struggles with Decisions.� Adolescents in the Search for Meaning. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2006.