Children and Adolescence

These flashcards will help you prepare for the exam.

When was the Golden Age of Children’s Literature?

1837–1901

Which of these stories does NOT belong to the Classical Period?

Metamorphosis

Who is credited with introducing the printing press, a pivotal invention in history?

Johannes Gutenberg

What is another name for chapter books?

Juvenile book

What role does the deuteragonist play in a story?

The deuteragonist is the second most important character, often a confidante to the protagonist.

In Little Women, what conflict arises when Meg challenges 19th-century societal expectations for women?

Person vs. Society

What is the central theme of Little Women?

The importance of family, love, and sacrifice during hardship.

Which line from a poem uses alliteration?

“She sells seashells by the seashore”

What is the rhyme scheme of this quatrain? “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. ”

AABB

Which line from T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock contains gustatory imagery?

“measured out my life with coffee spoons”

How do nursery rhymes align with behaviorist teaching theory?

They reinforce positive behaviors through repetition and rewards.

Which phrase is an example of a compound kenning?

“The battle-meadow for the warriors”

What distinguishes a folktale from a myth?

Folktales focus on humans; myths feature deities.

What lesson can be learned from The Fox and the Grapes?

One should desire what is unattainable

What is the primary difference between historical fiction and realistic literature?

Historical fiction often blends fact and fiction, while realistic literature focuses on everyday experiences.

In the Disney story, how does the frog become a prince again?

The princess kisses him.

Which argument is made by those who oppose censorship in children's literature?

Censorship can limit children's access to important ideas and perspectives.

Which term describes restricting access to literature by requiring parental permission for checkout?

Closed shelving

What is a significant difference between the original Sleeping Beauty story and the Disney adaptation?

The original prince is already married; Disney’s version omits this.

What is a potential positive consequence of allowing controversial literature in children’s and adolescent literature?

Literature lets readers critically examine dominant ideologies.

Which argument favors banning Animal Farm?

It promotes dangerous or subversive ideas.

Critics of political correctness often argue that it:

Discourages critical thinking and intellectual inquiry.

Which is an example of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in action?

Different cultures have distinct words for the color blue.

What is the main goal of deconstructing classical tales in literature?

To analyze and critique underlying themes and messages.

In deconstructing classical tales, what does using multiple perspectives aim to achieve?

To challenge the idea of a singular truth

How does deconstructing classical tales challenge the notion of binary oppositions?

By blurring the lines between them and questioning their validity

In what way does a deconstructionist approach to Cinderella challenge traditional notions of gender roles?

By emphasizing how Cinderella conforms to traditional gender expectations.

In the original Sleeping Beauty tale, Maleficent is portrayed as a villain. How does the film Maleficent deconstruct this portrayal?

It portrays Maleficent as a victim of betrayal driven to seek revenge.

Which of the following is NOT a style of reading material commonly used in teaching children and adolescent literature?

Scientific journals

When selecting literature for a classroom, it is important to:

Consider students’ age, reading level, and interests

A teacher selecting read-aloud books for a diverse class should:

Choosing books that include diverse characters and perspective from different cultures and backgrounds.

Mr. Johnson, teaching African American literature, who is not familiar with specific cultural traditions and values of his African American students should:

Assign literature representing varied African American cultures

Young adult literature is typically aimed at readers aged:

12–20

Who wrote the poem The Owl and the Pussycat?

Edward Lear

What is Lewis Carroll’s real name?

Charles Dodgson

A common characteristic of early childhood books is:

Short, repetitive text with predictable patterns

How does The Giver by Lois Lowry address freedom versus control?

By exploring a society where emotions and choices are strictly controlled

What is the central theme of Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White?

The importance of friendship and loyalty

What is the primary purpose of “modern fantasy” in children’s literature?

To create an alternate world with magic and supernatural elements

Which element is most critical when selecting young adult literature for classroom instruction?

The representation of diverse voices and experiences

Who is a pioneer in writing realistic fiction for children, addressing issues like family conflict?

Beverly Cleary

Which award is given annually to the most distinguished American picture book?

Caldecott Medal

A characteristic of “new realism” in children’s literature is:

Addressing taboo subjects like death and addiction

The “home-away-home” structure in children’s narratives typically involves:

A protagonist leaving home, experiencing adventures, and returning transformed

Which is an example of a Bildungsroman in adolescent literature?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Who wrote Charlotte’s Web, a novel about friendship and loss?

E.B. White

What is the primary purpose of nursery rhymes in children’s literature?

To develop phonemic awareness and rhythm

Which literary device is commonly used in fables to convey moral lessons?

Personification

What is the most common theme in young adult literature?

The struggle for identity and self-discovery

What is the genre of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis?

Fantasy

What best describes “cognitive distancing” in children’s literature?

Emotional detachment from trauma via fantasy/metaphor

Which is a postmodern characteristic commonly found in contemporary children’s literature?

Metafiction and self-referential elements

Which narrative structure is used in high fantasy novels like The Hobbit and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?

The monomyth (hero’s journey)

What best exemplifies an “unreliable narrator” in adolescent literature?

A narrator with distorted perception due to psychological/situational factors

What is the primary function of “interplay” between text and illustrations in picture books?

To create deeper meaning through complementary or contrasting images and words

Which is an example of a “cumulative tale” in folklore?

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

What describes “crosswriting” in children’s literature?

Appealing to both young and adult audiences through layered themes/humor

Which term describes stories where animals act like humans to teach morals (e.g., Aesop’s Fables)?

Anthropomorphism

In Where the Wild Things Are, Max’s bedroom transforming into a jungle symbolizes:

Symbolism representing Emotional escapism

Which is an example of a “problem novel” in adolescent literature?

The Outsiders (class struggle/teen identity)

What distinguishes folk tales from literary fairy tales?

Literary fairy tales have known authors; folk tales are anonymous/oral

Louise Rosenblatt’s “Reader Response Theory” suggests:

Interpretation depends on the reader’s experiences/emotions

What defines a cautionary tale?

Moral lessons via negative consequences of behavior

Which of the following is an example of metafiction in children’s literature?

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems, where the narrator directly engages with the reader

What is the primary function of a “didactic” narrative in children’s literature?

To instruct or teach moral and ethical lessons

Which best exemplifies intertextuality in children’s literature?

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, retelling a classic story from a new perspective

What narrative technique in Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson intensifies the story’s emotional impact?

Limited third-person perspective focusing on Jesse’s inner thoughts

Which is NOT a characteristic of high fantasy in children’s literature?

A setting primarily in the reader’s real world with minimal magical elements

How does Bruno Bettelheim’s psychoanalytic theory impact the study of fairy tales?

He suggested fairy tales help children process unconscious fears and desires

What describes the “carnivalesque” in children’s literature, as theorized by Mikhail Bakhtin?

Subverting authority through humor, satire, and chaos

What is Maria Nikolajeva’s contribution to children’s literature criticism?

Introducing “aetonormativity,” highlighting adult norms in children’s books

Perry Nodelman argues in his studies that:

Text and images in picture books create tension between what is said and shown

What does Jacqueline Rose assert in The Case of Peter Pan: Or The Impossibility of Children’s Fiction?

It constructs the idea of childhood rather than reflecting it, being inherently ideological

How does postmodernism influence contemporary children’s literature?

By challenging narrative authority through unreliable narrators and intertextuality

How does The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter reflect Victorian attitudes toward childhood discipline?

It portrays childhood as inherently rebellious but ultimately correctable through parental authority.

Which is a significant characteristic of liminal fantasy in children’s literature, as defined by Farah Mendlesohn?

Fantastical elements intrude upon the real world in a subtle and unsettling manner.

Which text is most closely associated with crossover literature, appealing to both children and adults?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

How does Roberta Trites’ concept of power in adolescent literature challenge traditional views of the genre?

She asserts YA literature explores how young protagonists navigate institutional power structures.

Which children’s book is associated with Julia Kristeva’s concept of the abject?

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (explores uncanny and bodily horror)

In children’s literature, ambivalence (per Peter Hunt) refers to:

Coexistence of empowering and restrictive elements in texts for young readers.

What is a key characteristic of focalization in children’s literature, as defined by Gerard Genette?

The perspective through which the story is presented, determining the reader’s access to information.

How does Alison Lurie’s Don’t Tell the Grown-Ups: The Subversive Power of Children’s Literature challenge conventional assumptions?

Argues children’s books contain subversive elements challenging adult authority.

How does Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There differ from traditional picture books?

Introduces psychologically complex themes like abandonment and loss.

What defines cognitive estrangement in dystopian young adult literature?

Depicts a world altered to force readers to question their own society.

How does A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle incorporate theological and philosophical themes?

Combines Christian allegory with discussions of free will and good vs. evil

What is the primary role of ecocriticism in children’s literature studies?

Examines representations of nature/environmental themes in texts for young readers

What is the significance of Bruno Bettelheim’s The Uses of Enchantment?

Applies psychoanalytic theory to fairy tales, suggesting they help children process fears/desires

In postcolonial critiques of classic adventure novels like Peter Pan or The Jungle Book, what is a primary concern?

Romanticizing colonialism and reinforcing Western superiority through depictions of non-Western cultures

How does metafiction function in postmodern children’s literature?

Highlights storytelling’s constructed nature by breaking the fourth wall and subverting conventions

How does The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman subvert the bildungsroman tradition?

Follows a protagonist’s growth in a supernatural setting with dead mentors

In children's literature, a kenning is often used to:

Replace a noun with a poetic, metaphorical phrase.

Nursery rhymes are primarily characterized by:

Simple language, rhythm, and repetition.

What is a key difference between folktales and myths?

Myths often explain natural phenomena or cultural beliefs, while folktales focus on entertainment and moral lessons

In historical fiction for adolescents, authors often:

Blend factual historical events with fictional characters and plots.

Censorship in children's literature is most often motivated by:

Concerns about age-appropriate content and moral values.

How might the Sapir-Whorf theory apply to children's literature?

It implies that the language used in stories can influence how children perceive the world.

Which of the following is a hallmark of postmodern children's literature?

The use of metafiction and playful narrative techniques.

A bildungsroman in adolescent literature typically focuses on:

The protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood

Cognitive distancing in children's literature refers to:

The use of fantasy elements to create emotional detachment.

In picture books, the interplay of text and illustration is crucial because:

It creates a cohesive narrative where both elements enhance meaning.