Joan Bauer

by Alleen Pace Nilsen

Joan Bauer is one of the most popular young adult novelists today. She is well-respected not only by her readers, but also by librarians and critics, having won a Newbery Honor for Hope Was Here (2001), among other awards. Drawing on personal experiences with divorce and family alcoholism, Bauer has her seemingly ordinary teenage characters face situations that test, and prove, their maturity and confidence. Following an introduction to Bauer's work, and a biographical chapter, this volume examines each novel by breaking it down into sections on plot, characterization, setting, and themes. Readers consulting this book for research, or for deeper analysis of a favorite novel, will find this a complete resource.

157 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2007

About the author

Alleen Pace Nilsen is in the Humanities Division of Arizona State University's Emeritus College. Together with Don L.F. Nilsen, she has authored an abundance of books including Literature for Today's Young Adults (2012), Pronunciation Contrasts in English (2010) and Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Humor (2000). She is one of the leading pioneers in humor studies, and has received a lifetime achievement award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor and the International Society for Humor Studies.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful guide to understanding Joan Bauer and her young adult literature. This book provides some background biographical information about Bauer and helps readers understand what makes her "tick" as a writer. It also provided summaries of each of her books and included helpful information on central themes in the books. I don't think you need this if you want to teach Bauer books but it's nonetheless a helpful resource.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is, it's quite well done. If you are looking for a good readalong guide to Bauer and her work, I'd highly recommend this. I'm giving it four stars because I probably would not have used it if I didn't need it for a graduate school class.