Librarian in the Living Room

Stephanie Meyer and her angst-ridden teenage vampires are still popular on the Harry Potter level, but there are new creatures emerging from the primordial muck of the collective imagination of writers — zombies. Brian James’ Zombie Blondes is a great book which turns the zombie lore on its head a bit while being somewhat satirical. What I find interesting about this sudden switch toward zombies is simple. Vampires are allugin, sexually charged and romantic, tragic characters. This is how they are portrayed in Meyer’s books and also in most films. Zombies, on the other hand, are not alluring, not romantic, sexually charged or anything elae that is positive. And … they eat people, devour them after tearing them apart like a birthday present.

BUT they are capturing the imagination of writers and readers alike. I am a poet primarily, a scholar, and an artist. These are things I love and care for first, their more “academic” nature, serious subject matter. But when I began my zombie novel for teens, I rediscovered how fun — just pure fun — writing a story could be. This is a separate part of myself as a writer and I want to keep the poet separate from the teen writer because they are different. This teen I have created follows me around, but she isn’t me. Well, maybe was me … her sassy and serious and neurotic personality echoes my teenage personality. She follows me like a shadow. And I just learned last night that the husband of a friend of ours is writing a zombie novel for teens as well. Coincidence? Strange and wondrous.

My hope for the novel I am writing is to break a lot of misconceptions surrounding the zombie tradition in books and film. I want them to be more human … with human problems, emotions, and issues. I refer to them (or my teenage narrator does) as “evolved” zombies, as members of the zombie aristocracy minus all the cash. This is a family struggling with loss, financial strife, relationships, and love. I hope to have this novel complete and ready to send to publishers sometime next year.

The minds of young people are so ripe with ingenuity, I only hope I can permeate their imaginative minds with this book.

Reluctant readers … always my pet project working with teens at the Library. I have read the books — Connecting with Reluctant Teen Readers being a great read about this subject. I have attended the conferences with the panels of Librarians discussing this issue, followed by luncheons where we all, as strangers but still colleagues, discuss this issue in our own individual libraries. And in these years, i have not connected with all my teen readers, but the few I have … makes it all worth it.

I often start my reluctant readers with magazines — MAD is of course great for boys and girls alike with its biting sarcasm and often gross illustration. After this is a success, I begin my book talks … yet another topic we librarians love to discuss at our conferences and workshops. It seems I usually begin with graphic novels &/or manga. I am getting good at telling the superhero types from the Harvey Pekar / Daniel Clowes types.

Or what I like to call the angst / tragedy novel. These novels are short and often about darker subjects; I think these are popular because of their inherent sensationalism. But these books are great. Some authors in this catagory that have captivated my non-readers turned readers: Gail Giles, Chris Crutcher, Ron Koertge, and Terry Trueman to name a few. These authors encompass subjects ranging from a girl being buried alive by a classmate, to realtionships between polar opposites (Stoner & Spaz is a great example of this), to a girl receiving letters from her dead sister. Yeah, creepy and wonderful stuff. And it is devoured. Yes, even by the teens who say, “I hate books …” and “I have to read enough for school” and “Reading’s boring.”

Teen literature has grown by leaps and bounds since I was an adolescent. My library was very small, the selection limited and there were many terrifying librarians. My hometown library is now beautiful and large with tons of books as well as a cafe and bookstore. But when I was growing up with the little and limited library, the books went from picture books, to kids’ to adult. There was nothing in between. I am very delighted teen service in libraries has not only become very prevalent but also one of the top priorities in libraries. Up until now, we get young children and babies to love books, then we said: see ya when you’re an adult! Teens also add flare and often much-needed balance to a library: they aren’t crying children and they’re not grown up yet either … they are finding themselves and what better way than in books.

Teens who have good experiences in a library not only begin to appreciate books and the magic of reading, but they are also most likely to vote for a library millage in a local election. Many teens who come into the library are voting age or very close, so they should be respected and wooed as much as everyone else. But sometimes it is hard to woo a teen with blue hair, piercings and major attitude, especially if they say they hate books and are only in the library waiting on a ride home or to check their MySpace. But they can and will read with the right approach.

It took me years to hone this skill but it has worked for me so I want to pass it on. I am in a smalltown, rural library, and since all libraries are different this may or may not work in your library.

1. Notice the reluctant reader.

2. Take your time getting to know him / her with one liners or quick dialogue. The goal here is that you don’t only want them to respect you, but you are showing your respect for them.

3. Decide if your reluctant reader seems the graphic novel type, the manga type, the novel type, or the magazine type. But start slow … don’t recommend Wuthering Heights just yet!

4. Book talk the book you have decided (after great observation) to “sell” to the teen. Something like: “Have you seen Dark Knight yet? If you haven’t read the comics you gotta! It makes the movie even better.” This may sound lame but it works. Or: “Do you play Halo? Did you know they just made this cool graphic novel about it?” At the very least it begins a dialogue with the teen.

I have converted many non-readers to readers as if I am a book missionary. And reading and sharing their favorites with their librarian and their friends gives them a sense of ownership, a piece of stock in their library and community. This often results in volunteers — I have 5 teen volunteers who are willing to come early to programs and help me set up, and stay later to help me clean up. They help with young children’s programs and even make Slushie runs! These once non-readers are not only reading now and enjoying it, but they are also coming to their library and enjoying it as well.

But I guess my main point is this: Never give up on them that teen simmering with indifference may become the reader who begins recommending books to YOU.