Young Adult Literature: Do You Really Think That's Funny?

Author(s): Janet S. Allen

Source: The English Journal, Vol. 86, No. 3, Young Adult Literature (Mar., 1997), pp. 102-105
Published by: National Council of Teachers of English
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/820660
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YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

While Murray, Ted, and Lou had re-

If you are a new reader of the

young adult (YA) literature column,

leased some of their anxiety and fear

let me explain how it works. Using a

related to death by making jokes be-

"Dear Abby" format, the latest YA lit-

fore the funeral, Mary had at-

erature as well as some of the "clas-

tempted to contain her feelings and

sic" YA works are incorporated into

so eventually lost control at the most

the responses to your questions. For

inopportune time. I think humor is

each question used, I establish a

often like that. In the midst of some-

chat room that networks similarly

thing so horrible, something so be-

interested people using electronic

yond what we could have imagined

in our lives, we begin to laugh. It's a

mail. Those of you who would like

teacher's question that prompted

release valve that lets us step back

to engage in further dialogue about

this response, I was reminded of my

Roberta Schneiderman's question

from the pain and forget-some-

students asking the same question:

addressed in the January 1997 issue

times just for a moment-so that we

"These books are all so depressing.

("Since there is so much focus on in-

terdisciplinary studies, can you sug-

can step back up to life and face the

Can't we read something funny?"

unthinkable. Since literature reflects

Even as they asked the question, I

gest some young adult literature that

can be used to make effective con-

life, YA literature is not without its

knew what they meant. Each book

books which have those events,

we read together tended toward "be-

nections across the disciplines?") are

characters, and language that allow

leaguered humanity" books: mur-

encouraged to write me at my e-mail

address-"kaywell@tempest.coedu.

us a moment of forgetfulness. The

ders, witness relocation programs,

surprise for me has been in the dis-

kidnappings, child abuse, alco-

usf.edu"-and I'll establish a chat

covery that each of us can find that

holism, AIDS, cancer, etc. While

room for that purpose. Additionally,

I am ready to help people get to-

moment in different books.

many, if not all, of the characters in

Jerry Spinelli says that as adults

these novels exhibited admirable

gether for further dialogue about

we can get trapped in "the twilight

qualities of incredible strength and

this issue's question about humor.

personal courage, for the most part,

And, remember, if you have a burn-

ing question about using YA litera-

sight, begins to lose contact with the

books.

ture in your classroom, please

Perhaps you are thinking, "Of

ask.-JFK

zone where the adult, with all his

[and her] superior powers of in-

there was nothing funny in the

juvenile psyche" (1996, "Before the

Immaculate Cuticles," The ALAN Re-

course there wasn't anything funny

view, Fall, 15). Since I didn't want

in those books. They were about

Q: John Gabriel writes from

the article to reflect only adults'

death, abuse, and dysfunctional

Massachusetts: So many YA novels

families! What could be funny about

views of books that we found hu-

are downright depressing. Can you

morous, I asked Becky Bone's stu-

those things?" And, you would be

recommend some YA titles that I can

right. There is nothing funny about

dents at Poinciana High School in

use when I think my students could

Kissimmee, Florida, what they were

those events. It is our response to

benefit from a good laugh?

reading that they found funny. Just

those events which makes us laugh

A: Janet S. Allen, from the Uni-

as I suspected, their humor picks

in spite of it all.

versity of Central Florida, provides

ranged from Blume to Fulghum,

If you are a "Nick at Night" fan,

us with this response.

perhaps you remember an old

from Cleary to Myers. They men-

Do You Really Think

"Mary Tyler Moore Show" where

tioned books that had words that

That's Funny?
made them laugh or events that reMary and the gang attend a funeral

Janet S. Allen

for their co-worker Chuckles the

minded them of stupid things they

University of Central Florida, Orlando

had done.
Clown. On the days leading up to

Alleen Pace Nilsen and Kenneth

In spite of our age and perspec-

the funeral, Murray, Ted, and Lou

L. Donelson in Literature for Today's

tive differences, I did manage to find
repeatedly receive Mary's wrath as

Young Adults state that "The ability to

they make jokes about the way

a common thread in the books we

laugh at ourselves and the madness

Chuckles was killed. Once at the

highlighted. For the most part, the

of the world is nature's gift to a per-

solemn memorial service, however,

books were not written to be catego-

petually beleaguered humanity"

rized as humorous literature. Writthe very proper Mary begins to gig-

(1993, Glenview, IL: Scott Foresers told the stories that their characgle and then laugh uncontrollably.

man, 368). As I thought about the

102

March 1997

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ters gave them and in the process,

& Company. 63 pp. ISBN 0-316-

"You weren't trying to be funny, you

dreams is unbelievably funny.

48893-3.

Spinelli's character has such atten-

were just being yourself. And the

This collection of poetry high-

world was being itself. And humor

lights the humor in education with

simply happened" (Spinelli, 1995,

to help students see the ways in

poems about social studies, English,

"Dear Jason," Voices from the Middle

2.2, 31).

tion to detail that I have often used it

which writers can use specificity to

and math as well as poems about

enhance their writing.

what school feels like for most stu-

HUMOROUS EVENTS

dents regardless of age or grade.

HUMOROUS LANGUAGE

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the

Freak the Mighty. Rodman

Sheldon & Mrs. Levine: An

Galaxy. Douglas Adams. 1980.

Philbrick. 1993. New York:

Excruciating Correspondence.

New York: Ballantine Books. 216

Scholastic. 169 pp. ISBN

Sam Bobrick and Julie Stein.
pp. ISBN 0-345-39180-2.

0-590-47413-8.
1994. Los Angeles: Price

It would be difficult to separate

Language has been a problem

Stern Sloan. 44 pp.

where humorous language and char-

for Max as long as he can remember.

ISBN 0-8461-3668-5.

acters end and humorous events

If your students are into reading

School and life have been scary for

begin in this careening journey

him because of his learning disabiliparodies, this one is sure to engage

through the galaxy. Arthur Dent and

ties. When he meets Freak, he finds

them. A parody of the Griffin &

Ford Perfect make this journey

that Freak is also weird. The way

Sabine books, this collection offers

through space one of the funniest

that Freak uses language to manipu-

letters between a son and his

books written. Even students who

late Max to achieve things he never

mother. While the style and format

vow that they do not like science fic-

thought possible made me laugh out

are the same, the letters express the

tion find themselves quickly caught

loud. Chances are good that you

real-world nature of relationshipsup.

and your students will, too.

often the stuff of humor.

The Latchkey Dog. Mary Jane

Math Curse. Jon Scieszka

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit.

Auch. 1994. Boston: Little,

and Lane Smith. 1995. New

Paula Danziger. 1988. New
Brown & Company. 120 pp.

York: Viking. 32 pp. ISBN

York: Dell Laurel-Leaf. 199 pp.

ISBN 0-316-05916-1.

0-670-86194-4.
ISBN 0-440-91612-7.
For those who have ever tried to

This picture book is for anyone

Paula Danziger's books are
train a pet, this story of Sam's unsuc-

who has ever suffered from math

funny. Just ask any middle school
cessful attempts will strike a famil-

phobia. Actually this book is for

student who is hooked on Danziger

iar, humorous chord. Sam tries to

and they will confirm that for you.

anyone who just likes to laugh.

change his dog Amber's routine and

When Mrs. Fibonacci puts a math

In this book, Marcy hates school,

counteract her loneliness with a per-

curse on the narrator, we begin to

her parents, and herself. When she

severance that makes for delightful

live his day under the math cloud.

is as miserable as she thinks she can
reading.

get, she finally finds a reason to stop

For those readers who have spent a

To Break the Silence. Peter A.

lifetime experiencing that math

focusing on herself.

Barrett, ed. 1986. New York: Dell.

curse, this book will have another

Take Me to Your Liter: Science

221 pp. ISBN 0-440-98807-1.

level of humor.

and Math Jokes. Charles Keller.

The thirteen stories in this col-

Falling Up. Shel Silverstein.

1991. New York: Trumpet Club.

lection include some familiar pieces

1996. New York: HarperCollins

38 pp. ISBN 0-440-83497-7.

of short fiction as well as one of the

Publishers. 171 pp. ISBN

This collection plays into young

funniest stories I have ever read. Try

0-060-24802-5.
adolescents' love of jokes and ridKatherine Paterson's "Woodrow

For anyone familiar with Silver-

dles. Each of the jokes or riddles in-

Kennington Works Practically a

vites readers and/or listeners to

stein's other collections of poetry,

Miracle" for a surefire way to break

think about math and science in

this one is right up there in quality.

the silence.

Poems like "Rotten Convention" and

"new" ways. For example, do you

Athletic Shorts: 6 Short Stories.

know what a hungry math teacher

"Hard to Please" can delight readers.

Chris Crutcher. 1989. New

likes to eat? Take Me to Your Liter will

Who Put That Hair in My

York: Dell. 161 pp. ISBN

answer that question for you.

Toothbrush? Jerry Spinelli.
0-440-21390-8.

I Thought I'd Take My Rat to

1984. Boston: Little, Brown

This incredible collection of

School: Poems for September

& Company. 220 pp. ISBN

short stories is an added bonus for

0-316-80841-5.
to June. Dorothy M. Kennedy,
fans of Crutcher's novels. Like the

ed. 1993. Boston: Little, Brown

Greg's use of language as he prenovels, each has that element of real

pares to kiss the woman of his

English Journal
103

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All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

life that is both painful and funny. "A

Brief Moment in the Life of Angus

ready to end the assignment before

it begins. As humorous as the many

Bethune" has a serious message but

flour events and jokes are, the affec-

will also make readers laugh out

tion Simon feels for his flour baby

loud.

funny that they beg for a listening

audience. When a young city boy is

sent to live in the county, he is not

pleased. Once he is there, however,

adds some touching humor to the

he and his cousin Harris manage to

story.

create enough commotion to keep

Catherine, Called Birdy. Karen

anyone entertained.

Cushman. 1994. New York:

Sixteen. Donald R. Gallo, ed.

Clarion. 169 pp. ISBN

1984. New York: Dell. 179 pp.

0-395-68186-3.

Oddballs. William Sleator.

ISBN 0-440-97757-6.

New York: E. P. Dutton. 134 pp.

I seldom think of historical fic-

tion as being humorous, but Birdy

These stories represent the

ISBN 0-525-45057-2.

1980s from the viewpoints of six-

forced me to reevaluate those

teen young adult authors. One of

thoughts. Catherine, a very strong-

my favorite read-alouds from this

willed fourteen-year-old, is forced to

become even more determined if

ished recollections of growing up in

collection is a funny, satirical short

story by M. E. Kerr entitled, "Do You

she is to avoid her father's attempts

In this quasi-autobiographical

novel, Sleator shares his embell-

Want My Opinion?"

a wacky family Students might see

the humor in their own daily exis-

tences through Sleator's rendition of

to marry her to a rich husband. Set

toilet training, purple hair, and Hal-

Connections: Short Stories

in the Middle Ages, her diary gives

loween adventures.

by Outstanding Writers for

us a humorous and informative

Young Adults. Donald R.

Here at the Scenic-Vu Motel.

glimpse of medieval times.

Drivers' Ed Is Dead. Pat Delgado.

1996. Los Altos Hills, CA: May

Gallo, ed. 1990. New York:

Thelma Hatch Wyss. 1988. New

Dell Laurel-Leaf. 226 pp.

York: Harper and Row. 154 pp.

ISBN 0-440-20768-1.

Davenport Publishers. 163 pp.

ISBN 0-06-022250-6.

This collection of seventeen sto-

ISBN 0-943-86476-3.

ries by outstanding authors for ado-

After over twenty years of teach-

When the school board can't af-

ford the cost of sending a bus on a

lescents offers many insights into

daily three-hour, round-trip for

ing English language arts, Pat Del-

teenage Encounters, Clashes, Sur-

seven students to attend their senior

gado decided to write her own YA

prises, and Insights.

year in high school, the students are

novel. In her YA novel, readers ex-

forced to spend their senior year liv-

Short Circuits: Thirteen Shocking

perience the many thrills associated

ing at the Scenic-Vu Motel in Idaho.

Stories by Outstanding Writers

with acquiring a driver's license for

It may sound like every student's

for Young Adults. Donald R.

the first time. Many funny things

dream senior year, but Jake's journal

Gallo, ed. 1992. New York: Dell.

happen when Brad and Lester de-

lets us in on the sometimes humor-

206 pp. ISBN 0-385-30785-3.

cide to open up their own driving

ous side of independence.

This collection of suspenseful,

school.

ghostly stories has several that work

HUMOROUS CHARACTERS

well as humorous read-alouds.

The Classroom at the End of the

Thwonk. Joan Bauer. 1995. New

Hall. Douglas Evans with Larry

York: Delacorte Press. 215 pp.
The Obnoxious Jerks. Stephen

Di Fiori. 1996. Arden, NC:

ISBN 0-385-32092-2.
Manes. 1988. New York:

Front Street Books. 144 pp.

Through humor and realistic diBantam Starfire. 212 pp.

ISBN 1-886-91007-3.
alogue, Bauer offers readers more
ISBN 0-553-05488-0.

Two students in one humorous

than a teen romance novel. A. J.'s

A school nicknamed "ugh" by

episode after another try to figure

love life is nonexistent, and Valenits students and a group of noncon-

out why strange things happen in

tine's Day is quickly approaching.

formist students who call them-

the classroom at the end of the hall. BeWhen A. J. directs her own personal
selves "The Obnoxious Jerks" gives

sides the humor, young readers will

Cupid to sling his arrow at the obthe reader a brief look at the fast-

learn a few worthwhile lessons

ject of her affections, things just do
paced banter and hilarious events

about school and teachers.

not turn out as expected.
which take place in this book.

Flour Babies. Anne Fine.

My Father's Geisha. James
Harris and Me: A Summer

1992. New York: Bantam

Gordon Bennett. 1990. New
Remembered. Gary Paulsen.

Doubleday Dell. 178 pp.

York: Delacorte Press. 165 pp.
1993. New York: Harcourt Brace.

ISBN 0-440-21941-8.
ISBN 0-385-30097-2.

157 pp. ISBN 0-152-92877-4.

When Simon's teacher assigns

While Teddy's and his sister

Harris and Me is one of those

his class a "flour baby" as part of the

Cora's lives are anything but funny,

books that makes a great read-

Great Flour Baby Experiment, most

these two military children with
aloud. There are parts that are so

of the troublemakers in Room 8 are

March 1997

104

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lesson. Somehow, Hector and Man-

with humorous situations and char-

acute senses of humor manage to

do manage to make their predic-

acters.

make both their lives not only bear-

ament funny after identifying the

able, but laughable.

Summer Rules. Robert Lipsyte.

robbers while out on a photo "shoot"

1981. New York: HarperCollins.

Weetzie Bat. Francesca Lia

with Uncle Julio. Readers might be

198 pp. ISBN 0-06-447071-7.

Block. 1989. New York:

reminded of the Home Alone movies

In the continuing saga that is

HarperCollins. 88 pp.

while laughing at this one.

Bobby Marks's life, we find him

ISBN 0-064-47068-7.

stuck at the Happy Valley Day Camp

Weetzie Bat, her friend Dirk,

and their dog, Slinkster Dog, are

as a counselor. When Bobby is as-

some of the funniest characters in

signed to be the special counselor to

Remember, if you want to con-

tinue talking about this question or

the richest, brattiest kid in the entire

young adult literature today. The

want to send other examples of hu-

language is humorous, the charac-

camp, the events surrounding his

ters defy description in language

summer make for hilarious reading.

morous YA literature incorporated

in your, classroom, please contact

other than hipster language, and the

me via e-mail.
Hello.... This Is My Father

events are both funny and sad.

Speaking. Mitchell Sharmat.

Can You Help?

1994. New York: HarperCollins.

Tumble Bumble. Felicia Bond.

Here's a new question from a

124 pp. ISBN 0-060-24469-0.

1996. Arden, NC: Front

teacher who needs help. Cindy

Jeff Whitty's father is every ado-

Street Books. 32 pp. ISBN

Bowman of Ball State University in

lescent's nightmare. His father has

1-886-91015-4.

Indiana writes, "There are plenty of

This rhyming picture book is

an embarrassing job. Jeff's father,

YA novels generally classified as

running around town dressed as Mr.

the frolicking adventure of a bug

'problem novels.' What are some re-

Sanitary Master in order to be a mas-

that picks up several companions

ally good YA titles in this classifica-

cot for his janitorial business, is

for a day of fun. The rhythm and

tion, and how might these books be

more than Jeff can tolerate. He de-

pictures make for a nice read-aloud.

used to really help students with

vises a get-rich-quick plan in hopes

emotional problems?"

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes.

of changing his father's job, and the

If you have tips, or if you have

Chris Crutcher. 1993. New

results are entertaining.

questions of your own that could be

York: Bantam. 216 pp. ISBN

answered in the column, write to:

Crazy Weekend. Gary Soto.

0-440-22009-2.

While the language (Eric calls

Joan E Kaywell, University of

New York: Scholastic. 144 pp.

South Florida, College of Educa-

ISBN 0-590-47814-1.

himself Moby because of his size)

tion 208-B, Tampa, FL 33620-

Being a witness to a robbery is

and some of the events (starting an

5650; or e-mail kaywell@tempest.

not really funny, especially when the

underground newspaper titled Crispy

coedu.usf.edu

crooks want to teach the tattlers a

Pork Rinds) are humorous in this

novel, the humor for me comes

from Eric's character. In spite of

Eric's problems and his troubled

friendship with Sarah Byrnes, he

still manages to find humor in those

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S FIRST NOVEL MOVIE PREMIER:

who make fun of his size, his en-

"THE INHERITANCE"

counters with violence, and his way

of dealing with the principal.

"The Inheritance," based on a recently discovered manuscript by Louisa

May Alcott, will air as a Kraft.Premier Movie (a Cosgrove/Meurer, Alliance

One Fat Summer. Robert Lipsyte.

Communications,.and TeleVest Production) on CBS on April 6th, 1997 at

1978. New York: HarperCollins.

9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Believed to be Acott's first novel, written at age 17,

232 pp. ISBN 0-440-847877.

Bob Marks, the fourteen-year-

..The Inheritance".went undiscovered for 150 years until unearthed in 1990

at Harvard Library.

old protagonist who is struggling

Set in 1878, it.is a family classic story of an impoverished 24-year-old

with a weight problem, brings read-

orphan, Edith Adelon, who has been embraced by a wealthy, loving family,

ers to laughter through his gentle

the Hamilton.s. Edith finds herself ata crossroads when caught between a

teasing. The flip side of language

used for fun and teasing is the cruel

love which threatens her future and her relationship with her new-found

family

language used by a gang of boys led

by Willie Rumson. The events that

lead to Bob's losing weight and gain-

ing confidence create a novel filled

105
English Journal

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