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by Sarah Hentges (Author), Sean P. Connors (Editor)
The rise of YA dystopian literature has seen an explosion of female protagonists who are stirring young people's interest in social and political topics, awakening their civic imagination, and inspiring them to work for change. These "Girls on Fire" are intersectional and multidimensional characters. They are leaders in their communities and they challenge injustice and limited representations. The Girl on Fire fights for herself and for those who are oppressed, voiceless, or powerless. She is the hope for our shared future. This collection of new essays brings together teachers and students from a variety of educational contexts to explore how to harness the cultural power of the Girl on Fire as we educate real-world students. Each essay provides both theoretical foundations as well as practical, hands-on teaching tools that can be used with diverse groups of students, in formal as well as informal educational settings. This volume challenges readers to realize the symbolic power the Girl on Fire has to raise consciousness and inform action and to keep that fire burning.
Author Biography
Sarah Hentges is an associate professor of American studies at the University of Maine at Augusta. She also teaches women's and gender studies and maintains a blog and website at www.cultureandmovement.com. Sean P. Connors is an associate professor of English education at the University of Arkansas. He is the host of The Storyteller's Thread, a monthly podcast devoted to children's and young adult literature.
