[Englecturers] FYI: The Politics and the Political in Books for Children and Young Adults (7/30/05; collection)

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From: owner-cfp at lists.sas.upenn.edu [mailto:owner-cfp at lists.sas.upenn.edu]
On Behalf Of Ousley, Laurie (English/Philosophy)
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 6:56 PM
To: cfp at english.upenn.edu
Subject: CFP: The Politics and the Political in Books for Children and Young
Adults (7/30/05; collection)


CFP: The Politics and the Political in Books for Children and Young Adults

 

Roni Natov's thoughtful analysis of the literature of childhood in The
Poetics of Childhood (2003), marks a good first step in "Childhood Studies".
Most importantly, the book advocates a respectful and sensitive means of
addressing children and childhood, recognizing the trauma that children
around the world face as part of their everyday lives. In her concluding
paragraph, Natov argues-perhaps even pleads-that we advocate for and protect
our children: "In its broadest sense, then, the literature of childhood
represents a challenge to the world. In the voices of children, in their
questions about things that seem unfair, this literature demands that we
look again at the crippling and divisive forces of racism and sexism. In its
depictions of children suffering and struggling against the bleakest and
most unstable conditions, it is an indictment of the barbaric effects of
poverty on their lives. In response to our current world that criminalizes
them, in response to our pollu!  ted, wartorn, power-hungry world, the
literature of childhood, in its varied imagined landscapes, suggests an
inclusive society in which children can find a safe and creative way to
live" (262). The literature of childhood, of course, can also reinforce and
construct a world that wishes to remain unchallenged, that thrives on the
conditions that create racism, sexism, poverty and suffering. As childhood
is the site of political debate and children often the victims or
beneficiaries of adult uses of power, the literature of childhood begs
political analysis. 

 

For this collection that has the interest of an academic press, I welcome
proposals that consider the politics and political issues at play in
literature for children and young adults. One might consider conservative or
progressive activism, literature that consciously serves to reinforce or
dismantle existing political structures, literature that serves to train the
child reader into a political position or teaches a concept of ethics and
justice. One might look at particular atrocities such as the Holocaust, at
economic violence, at how class gender or race and its representations and
assumptions function, or even at the various awards, such as the Jane Addams
and Coretta Scott King Awards, that deliberately attempt to promote books
with particular political content. Proposals could also consider any aspect
of the production or marketing or the study of children's literature. 

 

Please forward abstracts (250-500 words) by July 30, 2005 to 

 

Laurie Ousley

Department of English and Philosophy

Monroe Community College

1000 E. Henrietta Road

Rochester, NY 14623 

lousley at monroecc.edu

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