They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill
The Psychological Meaning of Supernatural Monsters in Young Adult Fiction
By (author) Joni Richards Bodart
Publication date:
10 November 2011Length of book:
300 pagesPublisher
Scarecrow PressISBN-13: 9780810882270
Teen readers have always been fascinated by monsters, but lately it seems like every other young adult (YA) book is about vampires, zombies, or werewolves. These works are controversial, since they look at aspects of life and human nature that adults prefer to keep hidden from teenagers. But this is also why they are so important: They provide a literal example of how ignoring life’s hazards won’t make them go away and demonstrate that ignorance of danger puts one at greater risk.
In They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill: The Psychological Meaning ofSupernatural Monsters in Young Adult Fiction Joni Bodart examines six different monsters—vampires, shapeshifters, zombies, unicorns, angels, and demons—in YA literature. Bodart first discusses the meaning of these monsters in cultures all over the world. Subsequent chapters explore their history and most important incarnations, comparing the same kind of creatures featured in different titles. This volume also contains interviews with authors who provide additional insight and information, and the bibliography includes a comprehensive list of titles featuring the various monsters.
Analyzing the most important and well-written series and titles for teens, They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill will be useful for parents, teachers, and anyone else hoping to understand why teens want to read books in this genre and what some of the benefits of reading them might be.
In They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill: The Psychological Meaning ofSupernatural Monsters in Young Adult Fiction Joni Bodart examines six different monsters—vampires, shapeshifters, zombies, unicorns, angels, and demons—in YA literature. Bodart first discusses the meaning of these monsters in cultures all over the world. Subsequent chapters explore their history and most important incarnations, comparing the same kind of creatures featured in different titles. This volume also contains interviews with authors who provide additional insight and information, and the bibliography includes a comprehensive list of titles featuring the various monsters.
Analyzing the most important and well-written series and titles for teens, They Suck, They Bite, They Eat, They Kill will be useful for parents, teachers, and anyone else hoping to understand why teens want to read books in this genre and what some of the benefits of reading them might be.
This consideration of the rise of paranormal young adult fiction focuses on popular contemporary titles lightly contextualized in a historical frame. Bodart prefaces her discussion with commentary on the “culture of fear” surrounding today’s young adults, and how the perceived increased dangers in their lives make supernatural monsters a vicarious way to deal with them. The book is divided into four sections: “Vampires: The Aristocratic Monster”; “Shapeshifters: The Transforming Monster”; “Zombies: The Reanimated, Resurrected Monster; and “Angels, Unicorns, Demons: The Unexpectedly Deadly Monsters.” Each section opens with an overview of the literary and, when applicable, folkloric history of each supernatural being. Plot summaries of four popular contemporary offerings (single titles and series) follow, such as the Cynthia Leitich Smith’s “Tantalize” series (vampires) (Candlewick), Annette Curtis Klause’s Blood and Chocolate (shapeshifters) (Delacorte, 1997), A.J. Whitten’s The Cellar (zombies) (Houghton, 2011), and Diana Peterfreund’s “Rampant” series (unicorns) (HarperCollins). Excerpts from author interviews, including book-and-author related online resources, enrich the accessible text. Effort is made to connect the nature of the particular monster being discussed to the developmental stages of young adults, as well as to occurrences such as the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. . . . Bodart uses sources such as pop-culture icon Stephen King, developmental authorities Piaget and Erikson, and professional LIS journal articles to expand her discussion and inform her conclusions. This is an informative look at a popular publishing phenomenon. An appendix lists recent paranormal series titles (stand-alone, continuing, complete, and unknown) and provides a solid core for collections of this particular genre.