Academic Writing

Articles

Bright, Robin, and Amy Bright. "What Teens Read: The Case for Imaginative Realism." Alberta Voices 10.1 (2013): 4-12. 

Bright, Amy. "Evaluating Text and Image Ratios in Contemporary Young Adult Literature." The International Journal of Comic Art 15.1 (2013): 146-161. 

Bright, Amy. "Writing Bridges: How Writers Scaffold Mature Content in YA Literature." The ALAN Review (Winter 2013): 37-46. 

Abstract: This article looks at the way new novels for teens - particularly, Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, Going Bovine by Libba Bray, and The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith - use mature content that is consistent with the complexity of language, style, and form. These new novels present content that may challenge readers, but that content is paired with a sophisticated form that mirrors many literary and canonical articles. 

Bright, Amy. "Reading Homer, Writing Riordan: Intertextual Study in Contemporary Adolescent Literature." Journal of Children's Literature 37 (2011): 38-47.

Abstract: When readers of contemporary adolescent literature are encouraged to participate in conversations about what is considered canonical literature, the literary value of adolescent reading expands past narrowing defined borders. Several recent adolescent novels provide access to the classics and may generate interest among middle school students in reading classic literature. The author argues that the ability of adolescent novels to generate interest in classic texts is a more efficient and relevant method of introducing middle school readers to the canon and prepares them for the classical literature they will encounter in high school English classes. Encouraging adolescents to use a form of intertextuality as a tool for creating interest in canonical texts prompts teachers and researchers to re-cast adolescent literature as worthwhile and important. This article explores the intertextual connections that exist between a sampling of middle grade/young adult novels and canonical literature. (Contains one table)