Elements Of Young Adult Literature in Prescribed Novels for Malaysian Schools

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study carried out to explore the elements of Young Adult Literature (YAL) present in the prescribed texts for Malaysian secondary school English as a second Language (ESL) students (3rd cycle). The three novels studied were; Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford, Sing to the Dawn by MinFong Ho and Dear Mr. Kilmer by Ann Schraff. The lens of reader-response literary theory was used for the study. Sampling was purposeful with six young adult Malaysian university undergraduates participating in the study. Data came from participants’ in-depth written journal reflections during the reading of all three novels as well as from follow-up semi-structured qualitative interviews. The study found that all three novels discussed themes and events that were reflective of YAL such as family relationships and friendship. Two of the novels, Sing to the Dawn and Dear Mr. Kilmer had young adults as protagonists with significant instances of conflict between dependence and independence. The portrayal of the young adult protagonists also reflected the growth into mental and emotional maturity throughout the course of the novels although descriptions of their appearances and mannerisms were not clearly evident. There was however a positive resolution at the end of all the novels and the actions and decisions of the main young adult characters were major factors in the outcome of the conflict. The findings from this study primarily the presence of YAL elements would guide future decisions by curriculum planners on choices of suitable material in upper secondary ESL classrooms.