Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
John James Audubon
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Enter
Pequot Library Special Collections | On view through February 5, 2022
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
The transition between childhood and adulthood is a tumultuous one, full of tension, mystery, and, above all, wonder. To be engaged in this transition is to live on the edge, teetering, and at times this is terrifying and others, exhilarating. But there is always a creeping sense of adventure, a story about to begin--a whisper of once upon a time…
Tales of magic and monstrosity captivate children and teens on the cusp of adulthood. And they continue to captivate many adults. There is a feeling these stories evoke of wonder, mystery, and tension, not unlike the feelings experienced in transitioning from childhood to adulthood. In Alice in Wonderland, Alice finds herself in a nonsense world where people are cruel and abide by absurd rules. Here, and in many other books throughout the exhibition, the magic of the unexplainable is a metaphor for the murkiness of childhood and adolescence.
There is danger and wonder in growing up, just as there is in magic. From fairy tales, to The Wizard of Oz, to the recently published novel, The Gilded Ones, magic enthralls the stories’ characters and readers. The protagonists of these stories are often children or teens, themselves, careening towards adulthood. Magic may be the stuff of childhood, but it figures prominently in these characters’ lives as they mature and venture out into the world. It may even aid in this transition, teaching lessons and offering words of warning: beware of wolves and strangers; curiosity can be deadly; and avoid the woods at night. All of this and more we learn from fairy tales and fables.
Magic can also mirror the transition from childhood to adulthood, ushering in a protagonist’s self-discovery, as in the recent young adult novel The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Deka, the heroine, is submissive and struggles with her own, “unfeminine” might at the beginning of the novel; only when she accepts her powers and herself, can she grow and save her kingdom. Self-acceptance is a tough thing to achieve in adolescence, and stories such as The Gilded Ones help readers grapple with this struggle through friendship and magic.
continue
Back
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Magic can also mirror the transition from childhood to adulthood, ushering in a protagonist’s self-discovery, as in the recent young adult novel The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Deka, the heroine, is submissive and struggles with her own, “unfeminine” might at the beginning of the novel; only when she accepts her powers and herself, can she grow and save her kingdom. Self-acceptance is a tough thing to achieve in adolescence, and stories such as The Gilded Ones help readers grapple with this struggle through friendship and magic.
Such stories continue to appeal to adults because, really, a person is never done “growing up,” and life is full of transitions. Oftentimes, these stories of magic are called an escape, but arguably they are more of a means of engagement. Hidden in the sparkle of magic and the shadowy battle between good and evil are larger issues like abuse and discrimination.
In recent years, these fantasy worlds have couched these issues more and more, offering an approachable way to grapple with such things. Increasingly, characters in and authors of these stories have grown more diverse with the #OwnVoices movement. This provides readers of all backgrounds and orientations with an accurate portrait of our real world and the many, varied people of the population.
This is a significant achievement, one that publishers, authors, and readers continue to call for. In previous decades, youth fantasy literature published in English was largely written by white authors and peopled by white protagonists. It should be noted, however, that while there were boy heroes like Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins, there have also been plucky heroines like Dorothy and Alice and Lucy Pevensie. Then again, Dorothy, Alice and Lucy are young, innocent girls, juxtaposed with wicked witches and power-hungry queens.
As we peer closer at these works, some several hundred years old, and some only decades old, we see their magic--and their mistakes. Some modern scholars have argued that Wonderland and Oz represent the “non-western” world, and that the pure, white girls have been placed there to impose western order upon “barbaric” nonsense. Their authors, however, would argue that they were just nonsensical tales to entertain nonsensical children.
continue
Back
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Still, there are instances where the ignorance and prejudice are undeniable and very hurtful. On display in the case is the controversial first edition of Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. Its controversy lies in an illustration that was pulled from later editions because it depicts racist caricatures. Indeed, an entire chapter is problematic and contains racial slurs. It was later extensively edited. But before those editions could be issued, these hurtful things were printed and absorbed by impressionable minds, perpetuating harmful misconceptions.
Like its young readers, youth fantasy literature is constantly changing, growing, and influencing the culture around us--from movie adaptations to merchandising to influencing the spirit of a generation. By looking at the genre’s past, we can see how far it’s come, all it’s achieved--and where we hope to venture. Maybe, just maybe, the grown-ups will follow along too.
Back
continue
MAGIC, MAYHEM & MATURITY: THE GROWTH OF YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE
Click to Explore
Click to Explore
Click to Explore
III. YOUTH FANTASY AND POP CULTURE
I. YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE THROUGH TIME
II. CONTEMPORARY YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE
MENU
Long after you lay asleep that night
I thought of your wistful question, dear,
Wishing with you that these fancies bright,
Might be true somewhere if not just here.
And I wondered if I might build that ship,
With its magic helm and enchanted sails,
And if you and I might make the trip
To the wonderful Land of the Fairy Tales.
The ship is builded, my little Rose!
We cannot set sail an hour too soon,
For childhood's dream will change to those
That never come true, though we reach the moon.
MoonfolkJane G. Austen
MOONFOLK
Moonfolk: A true account of the home of the fairies
By Jane G. Austin, illustrated by W.J. Linton
New York: G.P. Putnam’s & Sons, 1877
In this Victorian children’s novel, twelve year-old Rhoda feels lonesome and neglected at home, torn between the fairy stories of her childhood and the demands of her changing household. When she voices aloud a wish that fairy stories were real, the Chimney-Elf assures her they are and that the creatures of these stories live in the moon. Lunar travel and fairy adventures ensue…
In the dedication poem reproduced here, Austin explains her motivation for writing this story with touching lyricism.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Retold by Sir Arthur Quilter Couch, illustrated by Edmund Dulac New York: Hodder & Stoughton, ca. 1909
This collection of fairy tales taken from “the old French” include “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Blue Beard,” “Cinderella,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reproduced here is an image from “The Sleeping Beauty,” wherein the old Fairy Uglyane curses the infant Princess Aurora. This compendium includes a moral after each story, offering guidance to young readers--mostly girls. For “The Sleeping Beauty,” the first moral reads, “Ye maids, to await some while a lover fond,/Rich, titled, debonair as Florimond,/Is reason; and who learns on fate to attend/Goes seldom unrewarded in the end…” According to this storyteller, the patient girl lands herself the best husband…
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
The Fables of La Fontaine
FABLES OF LAFONTAINE
Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury, illustrated by Gustave Doré New York: Cassel & Company Limited, ca. 1870s
Fables offer morals and lessons through fantastical tales that usually feature animals acting like humans. Gustave Doré (1832-1883) was a French artist renowned for his engravings and illustrations. His artistic renderings for this collection of fables lend both darkness and whimsy to the cautionary tales. Here is a rendering of “The Wolf Turned Shepherd,” a tale that proves a trickster will inevitably reveal his true colors: “There’s always some mistake a rascal makes./The Wolf like Wolf must always act;/That is a very certain fact.”
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
STORIES FROM ARABIAN NIGHTS
Stories from the Arabian Nights
Retold by Laurence Housman, illustrated by Edmund Dulac London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1911 This is a selection of stories from One Thousand and One Nights, commonly referred to as Arabian Nights in English. Originally a compendium of Middle Eastern folklore collected in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age, these tales have been translated and retold many times over to delight and educate readers of all ages, much like Western fairy tales and fables. These illustrations were rendered with jewel-like tones by Edmund Dulac (1882-1953), a British-French artist known for his works accompanying many fantastical stories. Here, it is clear that he has studied Asian art to render these illustrations.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1869
This is an early American edition of the renowned classic. Here, Alice holds the Duchess’s baby, protecting it from the abusive ministrations of its mother and maid. But the baby turns out to be a pig. In Wonderland, all is absurdity. Its citizens are cruel to Alice and abide by rules that make no sense to her, reflecting a child’s perception of adult behavior.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
FAIRY GUARDIANS
Fairy Guardians
By F. Willoughby, illustrated by Townley Green London: Macmillan and Co., 1875
In this Victorian children’s novel, Violet and her younger siblings are transported to the edge of Fairyland for a year and a day, at which time they will be given a choice to return home or remain in Fairyland. On the precipice of womanhood, Violet is practical and eager to return home, but her adventures with the handsome fairy Mossiefern might change her point of view.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE NEW WIZARD OF OZ
The New Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum, pictures by W.W. Denslow Chicago: M.A. Donohue & Co., 1899
This rare, early edition of the beloved classic is one of Pequot Library’s treasures. Here is where L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) first introduced children of all ages to Dorothy and Toto and the Scarecrow and the Wicked Witch of the West. Although the stories of Oz established fame for Baum, who had been a journalist and a struggling playwright, in later Oz stories, he implores his young readers to permit him to write stories of other people and places. Nonetheless, his name has become synonymous with Oz, and his initials were even used by author Gregory Maguire to name the Wicked Witch of the West in his novel Wicked: Elphaba.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
Read more
The Story of Doctor Dolittle Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts
MENU
DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
By Hugh Lofting New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1920
The first in a beloved series that inspired numerous adaptations, The Story of Doctor Dolittle tells of a veterinarian who can talk to animals. A quiet, English bachelor, Dr. Dolittle sets out on an adventure when he learns of an epidemic among the monkeys in Africa; he proceeds to vaccinate the well and heal the sick, even quarantining the ill for fourteen days, a fantastic storyline that eerily echoes today’s headlines. But while this sensibility of the story is modern, one of the subplots is rife with racism: a Black prince asks Dr. Dolittle to make him white, and the British doctor obliges. In later decades, the novel was edited and re-released without this storyline, but those later editions never grappled head-on with the hurtfulness of this subplot. While readers can marvel at the enchanting notion of communicating with animals and empathizing with them, they should also understand that the author was also an unfortunate product of his time period--which of course does not at all excuse his racist portrayal.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
Read more
MENU
FORGE IN THE FOREST
The Forge in the Forest
By Padraic Colum Illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff
New York: The Macmillan Company, 1925
With simple language and bright, bold illustrations, The Forge in the Forest offers a retelling of eight myths and folktales, all revolving around the four Elements. In the introductory tale, four storyteller brothers capture a wild, white horse and visit the forge in the forest so they can have iron horseshoes made. Working at the forge, however, is no ordinary smith, but a king who promises to make the horseshoes in exchange for eight stories, two for each Element.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
MARY POPINS
Mary Poppins
By P.L. Travers, illustrated by Mary Shepard London: Gerald Howe Ltd., 1934
This is the first English edition of the book that started the Mary Poppins series and inspired the famous Disney film. The beloved nanny blends sternness with magic to keep the unruly Banks children in check. “Mary Poppins: taciturn and vain, at once grotesque and practical, forbidding and yet endearing.”
Read more
I. SECTION NAME
MENU
SWORD IN THE STONE
The Sword in the Stone
By T.H. White, with decorations by the author and end papers by Robert Lawson New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1939
Included in Time’s Best Young-Adult Books of All Time, The Sword in the Stone was first published in 1938 and went on to inspire numerous adaptations, including the famous Disney cartoon. It is a captivating retelling of King Arthur’s boyhood, blending legend, history, comedy, and fantasy. A common, orphan boy called the Wart embarks on adventures and mishaps that culminate in the realization of his own grand destiny, a theme that echoes down in many subsequent fantasy works and parallels the hope many adolescents feel to be more than they seem.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE LITTLE WHITE HORSE
The Little White Horse
By Elizabeth Goudge, illustrated by C. Walter Hodges New York: Coward-McCann, Inc. Publishers, 1947
Originally published in 1946, The Little White Horse is set in 1842 and tells the story of Maria Merryweather, who is a recently orphaned teenage girl sent to live with her cousin on his estate called Moonacre. This crumbling estate is a world out of time with an ancient history and whispers of magic. The little white horse is a unicorn, pictured in this simple illustration. Maria’s curiosity and wonder lead her into adventures and ultimately put things right on Moonacre.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
MY FATHER'S DRAGON
My Father’s Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett Illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett
New York: Random House, 1948
In this beloved children’s story, still printed today, Elmer Elevator runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon. The narrator, however, is Elmer Elevator’s son, so throughout the story, he is largely referred to as “my father,” an interesting narrative decision that gives the book the feel of a story told to children by a cozy fire. The animals in the tale are capable of speech, as in the early fables. The drawings are black and white, rendered in grease crayon on grained paper.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE 13 CLOCKS
The 13 Clocks
By James Thurber Illustrated by Marc Simont
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950
James Thurber (1894-1961) was an American author and cartoonist. While he illustrated his earlier fantasy books, by the time he wrote The 13 Clocks, he suffered from blindness, and so his friend Marc Simont provided the original illustrations, reproduced here. This story is full of humor and light, cadenced writing. Drawing from fairy tale motifs, Thurber tells the story of a prince who sets out to save a beautiful princess from her evil uncle; the villain will give his niece to the prince in marriage if he can deliver a thousand jewels and find a way to restart the thirteen frozen clocks in his castle. The prince is told of a woman who weeps jewels instead of tears, and the prince and his guide collect the requisite jewels by making her weep with laughter. Here, it is not swashbuckling heroics that save the princess, but joy and laughter.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH
James and the Giant Peach
By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961
This surreal fantasy follows seven-year old James as he travels across the world, living in a gigantic, magical peach with magically altered garden bugs. Before his cross-country adventures, he lives with his cruel aunts who impose harsh rules and punishments; the giant peach is his means of escape and the garden bugs become his friends. Magic aids this lonely boy and brings him a better life, just as this and many other stories offer solace to readers of all ages. Reproduced here is James, cozy with his new insect-friends.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
An Educator’s Perspective on Youth Fantasy Literature
By Sasha Elias, Director, School Partnerships, Ramapo for Children, and Maggie Elias, Nine-Year-Old Fantasy Reader
From my earliest memories, my sister and I were always reading. As I reflect back, it is no surprise that I became a teacher, and that one of my favorite parts of teaching was reading with my students. I remember the excitement that my students (and all of NYC) would feel when a new Harry Potter book would be published and the conversations that would occur during recess or morning meetings. We would discuss the possibility of a utopia as we read The Giver by Lois Lowry, and the forum would often devolve into heated arguments as students were sure they knew the best way to organize a community. The fantasy units we taught allowed them to think about their role in their communities and society, and tackle questions that are essential as they developed their sense of identity in a challenging world.
I am now lucky enough to have a voracious reader of my own, and while it’s problematic when it’s time to do chores or come to the table for dinner, I am so grateful that she can slip into other worlds through the words on the page. She writes: "Fantasy has always been a very big part of my life. Almost all of my favorite books are fantasy, from Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger to The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer. When I get a good book, I dive into it, experiencing all of the dragons and fairies that the characters encounter. My dad and grandparents often try to speak to me and start a conversation, but when I have a good book there's no stopping me from reading it. Fantasy may seem all the way fake but there are usually hidden meanings buried in pages. Quests might seem like plots created from imagination only, but the hidden meaning is usually about finding your way and discovering something that you never knew before." Fantasy novels allow us a space to think about our world through the universe the author creates. The conversations we were able to have about socio-economic status, racism, and bullying from reading Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is just one example of the doors that are opened when a young person can lose themselves in the pages of a phenomenal book.
MENU
THE HOBBIT
The Hobbit or There and Back Again
By J.R.R. Tolkien, illustrated by the author Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company
Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1961
Originally published in 1937, this classic tale of Middle Earth has endured and seen multiple adaptations. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, and respectable hobbits do not have adventures; Bilbo, however, has a grand adventure, and while he loses respectability, he gains something altogether greater. Reproduced here is Tolkien’s map of Middle Earth.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH THE YEARS
MENU
A TOLKIEN BESTIARY
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
A Tolkien Bestiary
This compendium offers a scholarly look at all of the creatures featured in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, from hobbits to orcs. With detailed explanations and illustrations, this work expands on the beloved originals like Lord of the Rings.
By David Day New York: Crescent Books, 1979
MENU
MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH
Winner of the 1972 Newbery Medal, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH tells the tale of Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse who seeks help from former laboratory rats to save her home from destruction by a farmer’s plow. The rats have a heightened intelligence from the experiments performed on them at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); they have created a literate and technologically advanced society and so they set out to help Mrs. Frisby. While there is no magic in this story, it has enchanted young readers with the notion of animals possessing human intelligence; furthermore, the cartoon adaptation was given a mystical aspect with the addition of a sorcerer character.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
By Robert C. O’Brien Illustrated by Zena Bernstein New York: Atheneum, 1971
MENU
ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURER
Alanna: The First Adventure
By Tamora Pierce New York: Argo, 1983
The first in The Song of the Lioness quartet, within the Tortall series, Alanna follows a young girl who dreams of becoming a knight; to achieve this, she disguises herself as a boy and becomes a page, proving along the way that girls are just as capable of swashbuckling, fantastical adventures as boys. In 2013, Tamora Pierce (b. 1954) received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for having an enduring impact on young adult literature.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
REDWALL
Redwall
By Brian Jacques New York: Philomel Books, 1986
When the peaceful mice of Mossflower Wood are threatened by the one-eyed rat Cluny and his army, a bumbling young apprentice named Matthias sets out to find the sword of Martin the Warrior, to protect Redwall Abbey. This fantastic tale is populated with mice and other woodland creatures acting like humans, threatening or trying to stop war. Told with humor, riddles and pathos, this is the first in a well-loved series.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
ELLA ENCHANTED
Ella Enchanted
By Gail Carson Levine New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1997
Ella Enchanted tells the story of a girl given the “gift” of obedience by a misguided fairy; from her birth, she must do exactly as she is told despite her rebellious nature. When she comes of age, she must commit the ultimate rebellion: undo the “gift” of obedience. This twisted fairy tale was awarded the Newbery Honor and was made into a major motion picture.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
DEALING WITH DRAGONS
Dealing with Dragons
By Patricia C. Wrede San Diego, New York, London: Jane Yolen Books, 1990
Cimorene finds being a proper princess terribly dull, so she runs away to become princess to Kazul, a fascinating and exacting dragon. So begins a young woman’s riotous and unconventional adventures. “In her inimitable wry fashion, popular author Patricia C. Wrede has invented a most improper and utterly absorbing young hero who happens to be a princess by birth and an adventurer by choice.”
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
II. Being Seen in Youth Fantasy Literature
By Christine Hung, Executive Director of Audience Development, The Knopf Publishing Doubleday Publishing Group
I was sorted into Ravenclaw, so in addition to reading teen fantasy literature, I also think a lot about it: the stories, structure, and especially the characters. The first fantasy series I remember devouring was Tamora Pierce’s The Song of the Lioness - I loved Alanna, a young woman who wishes to be a knight in a world where only men are knights. I am one of the many who gravitate towards fantasy because usually good triumphs over evil. And who hasn’t ever wished they possessed magic?
As I reread these heroic stories from my youth, the nostalgia fades quickly. Si-Cham, a master sorcerer in Alanna’s world, is a “yellow man.” Cho Chang, a love interest of Harry Potter, is a generic attempt to diversify Hogwarts. There has been much debate over her name, and whether it’s even actually Chinese. What’s more striking to me is how her ethnicity is never represented other than through her name.
The issue with the stories that raised me is that they came predominantly from white authors. That is why Si-Cham is referred to as a “yellow man.” That is why Cho Chang and Dean Thomas and the Patil sisters don’t celebrate the cultures they came from or encounter racism: their authors centered the narratives on whiteness.
Which is why I was extremely excited for the movements advocating for diverse authors whose identity matches their characters’. It was in a young adult book where I first truly saw myself. Justina Chen’s Nothing But The Truth… And A Few White Lies was a revelation to me. To read that there was someone else out there who also navigated two cultures, a Taiwanese American woman who is too “Asian” to be American in some people’s eyes, and too “American” in Taiwanese eyes. I felt seen and legitimized. That’s the worst, most insidious part of the lack of diversity in media: those of us who aren’t in the majority become invisible, without being aware of how ignored our stories are until we finally see something that does reflect our experience.
II. Being Seen in Youth Fantasy Literature
By Christine Hung, Executive Director of Audience Development, The Knopf Publishing Doubleday Publishing Group
That’s not to say there haven’t been “diverse” characters added to stories before, but the bumper crop of young adult fantasies from Asian American authors - Elizabeth Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology, Roshani Chokshi’s Gilded Wolves series, Natasha Ngan’s Girls of Paper and Fire series, and others are helping to expand what young adult fantasy is and could be. These are the stories that shape our identities as we transition from childhood to adulthood and help us make sense of our place in the world. The changing demographics of America and the growing global economy suggest that it’s not only the morally right thing to publish more diverse stories, it’s what will make the most business sense. Marvel and Disney certainly seem to be building out their worlds to include diverse voices and the publishing industry should do the same. For all the creative tales featuring dragons, elves, and magic, the genre shouldn’t have a limited imagination when it comes to characters and worlds.
MENU
YA FANTASY GRID
II. CONTEMPORARY YA FANTASY
Here is a small selection of modern youth fantasy literature titles. Note the vibrancy of the artwork, the variety of subjects and, above all, the diversity of the pictured characters. Compare this to the reproductions of covers and illustrations from the timeline. If you like what you see, check out one of these titles from our circulating collection. Click a cover for more information.
MENU
III. The Influence of Youth Fantasy Literature in Pop Culture
INTRO
These magical tales have seized hold of the popular imagination, in many cases taking root in the common culture. Countless adaptations have been made of these stories, from musicals to movies to written retellings and origin stories. Through movie adaptations, these stories often become fixated visually in the popular imagination, so beloved characters like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz are most recognizable as Judy Garland. Or, Alice in Wonderland is most recognizable with blonde hair, a black ribbon and blue frock, as she is portrayed in the Disney animated adaptation.
Such representations are appropriated as a means of self-expression, a way to both express individuality and to find common ground with other fans. Coffee mugs are purchased with favorite characters; Halloween costumes are created; tattoos are inked, all to show devotion to a story that speaks to you.
But more than that these fans frequently produce their own works inspired by these stories. Sometimes they are “fan fictions,” written privately for fun, but other times they evolve into plays, novels, movies and other art forms to take a beloved story and put a new spin on it--to the delight of fans of the original and new fans. For example, the Harry Potter series inspired a number of fan fictions that went on to become publicly produced as their own, independent, copyright-compliant stories (by changing names, of course): Puffs: The Play; The Magicians by Lev Grossman, an adult novel; and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, to name a few. It becomes a cycle; these tales of magic influence the popular imagination, and the popular imagination, in turn, influences more tales of magic.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
BANKSY - STOP & SEARCH
Brown, William F. The Wiz.
This poster is from the 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz, a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of contemporary African-American culture. The production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Image taken from Amazon.com
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead,
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's "off with her head!"
Remember what the dormouse said:
"Feed your head. Feed your head. Feed your head"
WHITE RABBIT
Jefferson Airplane. “White Rabbit.” Surrealistic Pillow, 1967
Written by Grace Slick (b. 1939), this dark and trippy song was ranked number 478 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the song deals with metaphors of drug use and also a girl who saves herself from madness, rather than relying on a white knight or Prince Charming.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
BANKSY - STOP & SEARCH
Banksy. Stop and Search, 2007.
Banksy is the pseudonym of an England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose identity remains unknown. His art is displayed on publicly visible surfaces. Here, he grapples with the invasiveness of authority figures by showing innocent Dorothy and Toto subjected to a stop and search.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
CONTACT
Please help us assess this exhibition by providing feedback through this brief survey.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
Take the survey
Images, bird sounds. and quotes from John Jay Audubon’s text in his Birds of America: Courtesy of the National Audubon Society, https://www.audubon.org American Flamingo: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/american-flamingo Arctic Tern: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/arctic-tern Blue Jay: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/blue-jay Mallard Duck: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/mallard-duck Sandwich Tern: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/sandwich-tern Wild Turkey: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/wild-turkey
For more information about this exhibition, or to arrange a viewing, please email info@pequotlibrary.org.
THANK YOU
HOME
Magic, Maturity, & Mayhem: The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature was curated by Pequot Library Chief Librarian, Christine Catallo. The virtual and gallery exhibitions were curated and designed by Christine Catallo and Jennifer Prat, Manager of Marketing & Communications. Magic, Maturity, & Mayhem: The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature Copyright Pequot Library, 2021, all rights reserved. No portion of this presentation may be replicated. If you wish to use this presentation for educational purposes, please contact info@pequotlibrary.org.
This exhibition and its programming was made possible with support from Connecticut Humanities and the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity: Youth Literature
information
Created on October 4, 2021
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
3D Corporate Reporting
View
Corporate CV
View
Interactive Onboarding Guide
View
Success Story
View
Higher Education Teaching Microsite
View
Modern microsite mobile
View
Basic Shapes Microsite
Explore all templates
Transcript
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
John James Audubon
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Enter
Pequot Library Special Collections | On view through February 5, 2022
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
The transition between childhood and adulthood is a tumultuous one, full of tension, mystery, and, above all, wonder. To be engaged in this transition is to live on the edge, teetering, and at times this is terrifying and others, exhilarating. But there is always a creeping sense of adventure, a story about to begin--a whisper of once upon a time… Tales of magic and monstrosity captivate children and teens on the cusp of adulthood. And they continue to captivate many adults. There is a feeling these stories evoke of wonder, mystery, and tension, not unlike the feelings experienced in transitioning from childhood to adulthood. In Alice in Wonderland, Alice finds herself in a nonsense world where people are cruel and abide by absurd rules. Here, and in many other books throughout the exhibition, the magic of the unexplainable is a metaphor for the murkiness of childhood and adolescence. There is danger and wonder in growing up, just as there is in magic. From fairy tales, to The Wizard of Oz, to the recently published novel, The Gilded Ones, magic enthralls the stories’ characters and readers. The protagonists of these stories are often children or teens, themselves, careening towards adulthood. Magic may be the stuff of childhood, but it figures prominently in these characters’ lives as they mature and venture out into the world. It may even aid in this transition, teaching lessons and offering words of warning: beware of wolves and strangers; curiosity can be deadly; and avoid the woods at night. All of this and more we learn from fairy tales and fables. Magic can also mirror the transition from childhood to adulthood, ushering in a protagonist’s self-discovery, as in the recent young adult novel The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Deka, the heroine, is submissive and struggles with her own, “unfeminine” might at the beginning of the novel; only when she accepts her powers and herself, can she grow and save her kingdom. Self-acceptance is a tough thing to achieve in adolescence, and stories such as The Gilded Ones help readers grapple with this struggle through friendship and magic.
continue
Back
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Magic can also mirror the transition from childhood to adulthood, ushering in a protagonist’s self-discovery, as in the recent young adult novel The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Deka, the heroine, is submissive and struggles with her own, “unfeminine” might at the beginning of the novel; only when she accepts her powers and herself, can she grow and save her kingdom. Self-acceptance is a tough thing to achieve in adolescence, and stories such as The Gilded Ones help readers grapple with this struggle through friendship and magic. Such stories continue to appeal to adults because, really, a person is never done “growing up,” and life is full of transitions. Oftentimes, these stories of magic are called an escape, but arguably they are more of a means of engagement. Hidden in the sparkle of magic and the shadowy battle between good and evil are larger issues like abuse and discrimination. In recent years, these fantasy worlds have couched these issues more and more, offering an approachable way to grapple with such things. Increasingly, characters in and authors of these stories have grown more diverse with the #OwnVoices movement. This provides readers of all backgrounds and orientations with an accurate portrait of our real world and the many, varied people of the population. This is a significant achievement, one that publishers, authors, and readers continue to call for. In previous decades, youth fantasy literature published in English was largely written by white authors and peopled by white protagonists. It should be noted, however, that while there were boy heroes like Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins, there have also been plucky heroines like Dorothy and Alice and Lucy Pevensie. Then again, Dorothy, Alice and Lucy are young, innocent girls, juxtaposed with wicked witches and power-hungry queens. As we peer closer at these works, some several hundred years old, and some only decades old, we see their magic--and their mistakes. Some modern scholars have argued that Wonderland and Oz represent the “non-western” world, and that the pure, white girls have been placed there to impose western order upon “barbaric” nonsense. Their authors, however, would argue that they were just nonsensical tales to entertain nonsensical children.
continue
Back
Magic, Mayhem & Maturity
The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature
Still, there are instances where the ignorance and prejudice are undeniable and very hurtful. On display in the case is the controversial first edition of Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. Its controversy lies in an illustration that was pulled from later editions because it depicts racist caricatures. Indeed, an entire chapter is problematic and contains racial slurs. It was later extensively edited. But before those editions could be issued, these hurtful things were printed and absorbed by impressionable minds, perpetuating harmful misconceptions. Like its young readers, youth fantasy literature is constantly changing, growing, and influencing the culture around us--from movie adaptations to merchandising to influencing the spirit of a generation. By looking at the genre’s past, we can see how far it’s come, all it’s achieved--and where we hope to venture. Maybe, just maybe, the grown-ups will follow along too.
Back
continue
MAGIC, MAYHEM & MATURITY: THE GROWTH OF YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE
Click to Explore
Click to Explore
Click to Explore
III. YOUTH FANTASY AND POP CULTURE
I. YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE THROUGH TIME
II. CONTEMPORARY YOUTH FANTASY LITERATURE
MENU
Long after you lay asleep that night I thought of your wistful question, dear, Wishing with you that these fancies bright, Might be true somewhere if not just here. And I wondered if I might build that ship, With its magic helm and enchanted sails, And if you and I might make the trip To the wonderful Land of the Fairy Tales. The ship is builded, my little Rose! We cannot set sail an hour too soon, For childhood's dream will change to those That never come true, though we reach the moon.
MoonfolkJane G. Austen
MOONFOLK
Moonfolk: A true account of the home of the fairies By Jane G. Austin, illustrated by W.J. Linton New York: G.P. Putnam’s & Sons, 1877 In this Victorian children’s novel, twelve year-old Rhoda feels lonesome and neglected at home, torn between the fairy stories of her childhood and the demands of her changing household. When she voices aloud a wish that fairy stories were real, the Chimney-Elf assures her they are and that the creatures of these stories live in the moon. Lunar travel and fairy adventures ensue… In the dedication poem reproduced here, Austin explains her motivation for writing this story with touching lyricism.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Retold by Sir Arthur Quilter Couch, illustrated by Edmund Dulac New York: Hodder & Stoughton, ca. 1909 This collection of fairy tales taken from “the old French” include “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Blue Beard,” “Cinderella,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Reproduced here is an image from “The Sleeping Beauty,” wherein the old Fairy Uglyane curses the infant Princess Aurora. This compendium includes a moral after each story, offering guidance to young readers--mostly girls. For “The Sleeping Beauty,” the first moral reads, “Ye maids, to await some while a lover fond,/Rich, titled, debonair as Florimond,/Is reason; and who learns on fate to attend/Goes seldom unrewarded in the end…” According to this storyteller, the patient girl lands herself the best husband…
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
The Fables of La Fontaine
FABLES OF LAFONTAINE
Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury, illustrated by Gustave Doré New York: Cassel & Company Limited, ca. 1870s Fables offer morals and lessons through fantastical tales that usually feature animals acting like humans. Gustave Doré (1832-1883) was a French artist renowned for his engravings and illustrations. His artistic renderings for this collection of fables lend both darkness and whimsy to the cautionary tales. Here is a rendering of “The Wolf Turned Shepherd,” a tale that proves a trickster will inevitably reveal his true colors: “There’s always some mistake a rascal makes./The Wolf like Wolf must always act;/That is a very certain fact.”
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
STORIES FROM ARABIAN NIGHTS
Stories from the Arabian Nights
Retold by Laurence Housman, illustrated by Edmund Dulac London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1911 This is a selection of stories from One Thousand and One Nights, commonly referred to as Arabian Nights in English. Originally a compendium of Middle Eastern folklore collected in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age, these tales have been translated and retold many times over to delight and educate readers of all ages, much like Western fairy tales and fables. These illustrations were rendered with jewel-like tones by Edmund Dulac (1882-1953), a British-French artist known for his works accompanying many fantastical stories. Here, it is clear that he has studied Asian art to render these illustrations.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1869 This is an early American edition of the renowned classic. Here, Alice holds the Duchess’s baby, protecting it from the abusive ministrations of its mother and maid. But the baby turns out to be a pig. In Wonderland, all is absurdity. Its citizens are cruel to Alice and abide by rules that make no sense to her, reflecting a child’s perception of adult behavior.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
FAIRY GUARDIANS
Fairy Guardians
By F. Willoughby, illustrated by Townley Green London: Macmillan and Co., 1875 In this Victorian children’s novel, Violet and her younger siblings are transported to the edge of Fairyland for a year and a day, at which time they will be given a choice to return home or remain in Fairyland. On the precipice of womanhood, Violet is practical and eager to return home, but her adventures with the handsome fairy Mossiefern might change her point of view.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE NEW WIZARD OF OZ
The New Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum, pictures by W.W. Denslow Chicago: M.A. Donohue & Co., 1899 This rare, early edition of the beloved classic is one of Pequot Library’s treasures. Here is where L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) first introduced children of all ages to Dorothy and Toto and the Scarecrow and the Wicked Witch of the West. Although the stories of Oz established fame for Baum, who had been a journalist and a struggling playwright, in later Oz stories, he implores his young readers to permit him to write stories of other people and places. Nonetheless, his name has become synonymous with Oz, and his initials were even used by author Gregory Maguire to name the Wicked Witch of the West in his novel Wicked: Elphaba.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
Read more
The Story of Doctor Dolittle Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts
MENU
DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
By Hugh Lofting New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1920 The first in a beloved series that inspired numerous adaptations, The Story of Doctor Dolittle tells of a veterinarian who can talk to animals. A quiet, English bachelor, Dr. Dolittle sets out on an adventure when he learns of an epidemic among the monkeys in Africa; he proceeds to vaccinate the well and heal the sick, even quarantining the ill for fourteen days, a fantastic storyline that eerily echoes today’s headlines. But while this sensibility of the story is modern, one of the subplots is rife with racism: a Black prince asks Dr. Dolittle to make him white, and the British doctor obliges. In later decades, the novel was edited and re-released without this storyline, but those later editions never grappled head-on with the hurtfulness of this subplot. While readers can marvel at the enchanting notion of communicating with animals and empathizing with them, they should also understand that the author was also an unfortunate product of his time period--which of course does not at all excuse his racist portrayal.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
Read more
MENU
FORGE IN THE FOREST
The Forge in the Forest
By Padraic Colum Illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff New York: The Macmillan Company, 1925 With simple language and bright, bold illustrations, The Forge in the Forest offers a retelling of eight myths and folktales, all revolving around the four Elements. In the introductory tale, four storyteller brothers capture a wild, white horse and visit the forge in the forest so they can have iron horseshoes made. Working at the forge, however, is no ordinary smith, but a king who promises to make the horseshoes in exchange for eight stories, two for each Element.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
MARY POPINS
Mary Poppins
By P.L. Travers, illustrated by Mary Shepard London: Gerald Howe Ltd., 1934 This is the first English edition of the book that started the Mary Poppins series and inspired the famous Disney film. The beloved nanny blends sternness with magic to keep the unruly Banks children in check. “Mary Poppins: taciturn and vain, at once grotesque and practical, forbidding and yet endearing.”
Read more
I. SECTION NAME
MENU
SWORD IN THE STONE
The Sword in the Stone
By T.H. White, with decorations by the author and end papers by Robert Lawson New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1939 Included in Time’s Best Young-Adult Books of All Time, The Sword in the Stone was first published in 1938 and went on to inspire numerous adaptations, including the famous Disney cartoon. It is a captivating retelling of King Arthur’s boyhood, blending legend, history, comedy, and fantasy. A common, orphan boy called the Wart embarks on adventures and mishaps that culminate in the realization of his own grand destiny, a theme that echoes down in many subsequent fantasy works and parallels the hope many adolescents feel to be more than they seem.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE LITTLE WHITE HORSE
The Little White Horse
By Elizabeth Goudge, illustrated by C. Walter Hodges New York: Coward-McCann, Inc. Publishers, 1947 Originally published in 1946, The Little White Horse is set in 1842 and tells the story of Maria Merryweather, who is a recently orphaned teenage girl sent to live with her cousin on his estate called Moonacre. This crumbling estate is a world out of time with an ancient history and whispers of magic. The little white horse is a unicorn, pictured in this simple illustration. Maria’s curiosity and wonder lead her into adventures and ultimately put things right on Moonacre.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
MY FATHER'S DRAGON
My Father’s Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett Illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett New York: Random House, 1948 In this beloved children’s story, still printed today, Elmer Elevator runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon. The narrator, however, is Elmer Elevator’s son, so throughout the story, he is largely referred to as “my father,” an interesting narrative decision that gives the book the feel of a story told to children by a cozy fire. The animals in the tale are capable of speech, as in the early fables. The drawings are black and white, rendered in grease crayon on grained paper.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
THE 13 CLOCKS
The 13 Clocks
By James Thurber Illustrated by Marc Simont New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950 James Thurber (1894-1961) was an American author and cartoonist. While he illustrated his earlier fantasy books, by the time he wrote The 13 Clocks, he suffered from blindness, and so his friend Marc Simont provided the original illustrations, reproduced here. This story is full of humor and light, cadenced writing. Drawing from fairy tale motifs, Thurber tells the story of a prince who sets out to save a beautiful princess from her evil uncle; the villain will give his niece to the prince in marriage if he can deliver a thousand jewels and find a way to restart the thirteen frozen clocks in his castle. The prince is told of a woman who weeps jewels instead of tears, and the prince and his guide collect the requisite jewels by making her weep with laughter. Here, it is not swashbuckling heroics that save the princess, but joy and laughter.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH
James and the Giant Peach
By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961 This surreal fantasy follows seven-year old James as he travels across the world, living in a gigantic, magical peach with magically altered garden bugs. Before his cross-country adventures, he lives with his cruel aunts who impose harsh rules and punishments; the giant peach is his means of escape and the garden bugs become his friends. Magic aids this lonely boy and brings him a better life, just as this and many other stories offer solace to readers of all ages. Reproduced here is James, cozy with his new insect-friends.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
An Educator’s Perspective on Youth Fantasy Literature
By Sasha Elias, Director, School Partnerships, Ramapo for Children, and Maggie Elias, Nine-Year-Old Fantasy Reader
From my earliest memories, my sister and I were always reading. As I reflect back, it is no surprise that I became a teacher, and that one of my favorite parts of teaching was reading with my students. I remember the excitement that my students (and all of NYC) would feel when a new Harry Potter book would be published and the conversations that would occur during recess or morning meetings. We would discuss the possibility of a utopia as we read The Giver by Lois Lowry, and the forum would often devolve into heated arguments as students were sure they knew the best way to organize a community. The fantasy units we taught allowed them to think about their role in their communities and society, and tackle questions that are essential as they developed their sense of identity in a challenging world. I am now lucky enough to have a voracious reader of my own, and while it’s problematic when it’s time to do chores or come to the table for dinner, I am so grateful that she can slip into other worlds through the words on the page. She writes: "Fantasy has always been a very big part of my life. Almost all of my favorite books are fantasy, from Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger to The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer. When I get a good book, I dive into it, experiencing all of the dragons and fairies that the characters encounter. My dad and grandparents often try to speak to me and start a conversation, but when I have a good book there's no stopping me from reading it. Fantasy may seem all the way fake but there are usually hidden meanings buried in pages. Quests might seem like plots created from imagination only, but the hidden meaning is usually about finding your way and discovering something that you never knew before." Fantasy novels allow us a space to think about our world through the universe the author creates. The conversations we were able to have about socio-economic status, racism, and bullying from reading Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is just one example of the doors that are opened when a young person can lose themselves in the pages of a phenomenal book.
MENU
THE HOBBIT
The Hobbit or There and Back Again
By J.R.R. Tolkien, illustrated by the author Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1961 Originally published in 1937, this classic tale of Middle Earth has endured and seen multiple adaptations. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, and respectable hobbits do not have adventures; Bilbo, however, has a grand adventure, and while he loses respectability, he gains something altogether greater. Reproduced here is Tolkien’s map of Middle Earth.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH THE YEARS
MENU
A TOLKIEN BESTIARY
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
A Tolkien Bestiary
This compendium offers a scholarly look at all of the creatures featured in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, from hobbits to orcs. With detailed explanations and illustrations, this work expands on the beloved originals like Lord of the Rings.
By David Day New York: Crescent Books, 1979
MENU
MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH
Winner of the 1972 Newbery Medal, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH tells the tale of Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse who seeks help from former laboratory rats to save her home from destruction by a farmer’s plow. The rats have a heightened intelligence from the experiments performed on them at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); they have created a literate and technologically advanced society and so they set out to help Mrs. Frisby. While there is no magic in this story, it has enchanted young readers with the notion of animals possessing human intelligence; furthermore, the cartoon adaptation was given a mystical aspect with the addition of a sorcerer character.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
By Robert C. O’Brien Illustrated by Zena Bernstein New York: Atheneum, 1971
MENU
ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURER
Alanna: The First Adventure
By Tamora Pierce New York: Argo, 1983 The first in The Song of the Lioness quartet, within the Tortall series, Alanna follows a young girl who dreams of becoming a knight; to achieve this, she disguises herself as a boy and becomes a page, proving along the way that girls are just as capable of swashbuckling, fantastical adventures as boys. In 2013, Tamora Pierce (b. 1954) received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for having an enduring impact on young adult literature.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
REDWALL
Redwall
By Brian Jacques New York: Philomel Books, 1986 When the peaceful mice of Mossflower Wood are threatened by the one-eyed rat Cluny and his army, a bumbling young apprentice named Matthias sets out to find the sword of Martin the Warrior, to protect Redwall Abbey. This fantastic tale is populated with mice and other woodland creatures acting like humans, threatening or trying to stop war. Told with humor, riddles and pathos, this is the first in a well-loved series.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
ELLA ENCHANTED
Ella Enchanted
By Gail Carson Levine New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1997 Ella Enchanted tells the story of a girl given the “gift” of obedience by a misguided fairy; from her birth, she must do exactly as she is told despite her rebellious nature. When she comes of age, she must commit the ultimate rebellion: undo the “gift” of obedience. This twisted fairy tale was awarded the Newbery Honor and was made into a major motion picture.
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
MENU
DEALING WITH DRAGONS
Dealing with Dragons
By Patricia C. Wrede San Diego, New York, London: Jane Yolen Books, 1990 Cimorene finds being a proper princess terribly dull, so she runs away to become princess to Kazul, a fascinating and exacting dragon. So begins a young woman’s riotous and unconventional adventures. “In her inimitable wry fashion, popular author Patricia C. Wrede has invented a most improper and utterly absorbing young hero who happens to be a princess by birth and an adventurer by choice.”
I. YA FANTASY THROUGH TIME
II. Being Seen in Youth Fantasy Literature
By Christine Hung, Executive Director of Audience Development, The Knopf Publishing Doubleday Publishing Group
I was sorted into Ravenclaw, so in addition to reading teen fantasy literature, I also think a lot about it: the stories, structure, and especially the characters. The first fantasy series I remember devouring was Tamora Pierce’s The Song of the Lioness - I loved Alanna, a young woman who wishes to be a knight in a world where only men are knights. I am one of the many who gravitate towards fantasy because usually good triumphs over evil. And who hasn’t ever wished they possessed magic? As I reread these heroic stories from my youth, the nostalgia fades quickly. Si-Cham, a master sorcerer in Alanna’s world, is a “yellow man.” Cho Chang, a love interest of Harry Potter, is a generic attempt to diversify Hogwarts. There has been much debate over her name, and whether it’s even actually Chinese. What’s more striking to me is how her ethnicity is never represented other than through her name. The issue with the stories that raised me is that they came predominantly from white authors. That is why Si-Cham is referred to as a “yellow man.” That is why Cho Chang and Dean Thomas and the Patil sisters don’t celebrate the cultures they came from or encounter racism: their authors centered the narratives on whiteness. Which is why I was extremely excited for the movements advocating for diverse authors whose identity matches their characters’. It was in a young adult book where I first truly saw myself. Justina Chen’s Nothing But The Truth… And A Few White Lies was a revelation to me. To read that there was someone else out there who also navigated two cultures, a Taiwanese American woman who is too “Asian” to be American in some people’s eyes, and too “American” in Taiwanese eyes. I felt seen and legitimized. That’s the worst, most insidious part of the lack of diversity in media: those of us who aren’t in the majority become invisible, without being aware of how ignored our stories are until we finally see something that does reflect our experience.
II. Being Seen in Youth Fantasy Literature
By Christine Hung, Executive Director of Audience Development, The Knopf Publishing Doubleday Publishing Group
That’s not to say there haven’t been “diverse” characters added to stories before, but the bumper crop of young adult fantasies from Asian American authors - Elizabeth Lim’s The Blood of Stars duology, Roshani Chokshi’s Gilded Wolves series, Natasha Ngan’s Girls of Paper and Fire series, and others are helping to expand what young adult fantasy is and could be. These are the stories that shape our identities as we transition from childhood to adulthood and help us make sense of our place in the world. The changing demographics of America and the growing global economy suggest that it’s not only the morally right thing to publish more diverse stories, it’s what will make the most business sense. Marvel and Disney certainly seem to be building out their worlds to include diverse voices and the publishing industry should do the same. For all the creative tales featuring dragons, elves, and magic, the genre shouldn’t have a limited imagination when it comes to characters and worlds.
MENU
YA FANTASY GRID
II. CONTEMPORARY YA FANTASY
Here is a small selection of modern youth fantasy literature titles. Note the vibrancy of the artwork, the variety of subjects and, above all, the diversity of the pictured characters. Compare this to the reproductions of covers and illustrations from the timeline. If you like what you see, check out one of these titles from our circulating collection. Click a cover for more information.
MENU
III. The Influence of Youth Fantasy Literature in Pop Culture
INTRO
These magical tales have seized hold of the popular imagination, in many cases taking root in the common culture. Countless adaptations have been made of these stories, from musicals to movies to written retellings and origin stories. Through movie adaptations, these stories often become fixated visually in the popular imagination, so beloved characters like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz are most recognizable as Judy Garland. Or, Alice in Wonderland is most recognizable with blonde hair, a black ribbon and blue frock, as she is portrayed in the Disney animated adaptation. Such representations are appropriated as a means of self-expression, a way to both express individuality and to find common ground with other fans. Coffee mugs are purchased with favorite characters; Halloween costumes are created; tattoos are inked, all to show devotion to a story that speaks to you. But more than that these fans frequently produce their own works inspired by these stories. Sometimes they are “fan fictions,” written privately for fun, but other times they evolve into plays, novels, movies and other art forms to take a beloved story and put a new spin on it--to the delight of fans of the original and new fans. For example, the Harry Potter series inspired a number of fan fictions that went on to become publicly produced as their own, independent, copyright-compliant stories (by changing names, of course): Puffs: The Play; The Magicians by Lev Grossman, an adult novel; and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, to name a few. It becomes a cycle; these tales of magic influence the popular imagination, and the popular imagination, in turn, influences more tales of magic.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
BANKSY - STOP & SEARCH
Brown, William F. The Wiz.
This poster is from the 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz, a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of contemporary African-American culture. The production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Image taken from Amazon.com
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
When logic and proportion Have fallen sloppy dead, And the White Knight is talking backwards And the Red Queen's "off with her head!" Remember what the dormouse said: "Feed your head. Feed your head. Feed your head"
WHITE RABBIT
Jefferson Airplane. “White Rabbit.” Surrealistic Pillow, 1967
Written by Grace Slick (b. 1939), this dark and trippy song was ranked number 478 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the song deals with metaphors of drug use and also a girl who saves herself from madness, rather than relying on a white knight or Prince Charming.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
BANKSY - STOP & SEARCH
Banksy. Stop and Search, 2007.
Banksy is the pseudonym of an England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose identity remains unknown. His art is displayed on publicly visible surfaces. Here, he grapples with the invasiveness of authority figures by showing innocent Dorothy and Toto subjected to a stop and search.
III. YA FANTASY IN POP CULTURE
MENU
CONTACT
Please help us assess this exhibition by providing feedback through this brief survey.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
Take the survey
Images, bird sounds. and quotes from John Jay Audubon’s text in his Birds of America: Courtesy of the National Audubon Society, https://www.audubon.org American Flamingo: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/american-flamingo Arctic Tern: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/arctic-tern Blue Jay: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/blue-jay Mallard Duck: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/mallard-duck Sandwich Tern: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/sandwich-tern Wild Turkey: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/wild-turkey
For more information about this exhibition, or to arrange a viewing, please email info@pequotlibrary.org.
THANK YOU
HOME
Magic, Maturity, & Mayhem: The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature was curated by Pequot Library Chief Librarian, Christine Catallo. The virtual and gallery exhibitions were curated and designed by Christine Catallo and Jennifer Prat, Manager of Marketing & Communications. Magic, Maturity, & Mayhem: The Growth of Youth Fantasy Literature Copyright Pequot Library, 2021, all rights reserved. No portion of this presentation may be replicated. If you wish to use this presentation for educational purposes, please contact info@pequotlibrary.org.
This exhibition and its programming was made possible with support from Connecticut Humanities and the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund