Conference will present ideas on 'with-it' literature

When it comes to teaching young adult literature in schools, Becky Anderson says it's time to replace some of the old standbys with more contemporary authors students can relate to.

Teachers and librarians will learn just how to go about that at Anderson's Bookshop's fourth annual Young Adult Literature Conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn Select, 1801 N. Naper Blvd., Naperville.

"The whole point of the conference is how to get new, cool literature integrated into the curriculum," bookshop owner Anderson said. "Kids will relate better than the tried and true stuff that's been around since our parents' and grandparents' time."

Anderson said anyone with a love of young adult literature will find the day enlightening and entertaining.

Featured authors and speakers this year include Sherman Alexie, author of "Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian"; Christopher Paul Curtis, who won the Newbery Medal for "Bud, not Buddy"; Sonya Sones, who penned novels in verse such as "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies"; Chris Crutcher, author of "Ironman"; and Robert Sharenow, vice president of nonfiction and alternative programming at the A&E network.

"There's nothing like meeting the author behind the books," Anderson said. "There are phenomenal speakers and … people will walk away with mounds they can take back to their own lives and their own schools."

In addition to presentations by the authors, six breakout sessions will be offered on topics such as banned books, women in young adult literature and making the most of author appearances at schools.

Paulette Goodman, library resource center director at Kennedy Junior High in Lisle, has attended each of the previous three conferences and called them outstanding. She said many such conferences have fallen by the wayside, but the Anderson's event fills that gap.

"I like the diversity of the presenters," she said. "I like the fact they allow you to hear contemporary, with-it authors who are right there where the kids are."

Goodman said her own students have been hooked on fantasy books.

The newest trend, according to Anderson, is heading toward grittier and more mature and realistic books.

"We need to give kids the benefit of the doubt they can handle that," she said. "They're seeing worse things on primetime television than they read. What they're experiencing in the halls and with their friends is what they want to read about."

Tickets for the all-day conference are $95, or $75 for full-time students. For details, call (630) 820-2802.

If you go

What: Anderson's fourth annual Young Adult Literature Conference

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Holiday Inn Select, 1801 N. Naper Blvd., Naperville

Tickets: $95, or $75 for full-time students

Info: (630) 820-2802