Traditional StoryTraditional Story

Child must be civilised/socialisedChild must be civilised/socialised Authoritarian systems of justice Authoritarian systems of justice

such as Kings, Queens (but still such as Kings, Queens (but still found in fantasy – Potter, found in fantasy – Potter, Pullman) though Pullman Pullman) though Pullman subversive. subversive.

Modern storyModern story

Child struggles against Child struggles against injustice/probleminjustice/problem

Finds a way to overcome itFinds a way to overcome it Prepares child for real life?Prepares child for real life? Roald Dahl – is on child’s side – the Roald Dahl – is on child’s side – the

underdog - adults are grotesque and underdog - adults are grotesque and unjust – subversiveunjust – subversive

He satirises the greedy, vain, selfish, He satirises the greedy, vain, selfish, stupidstupid

Elements of Children’s & YA Elements of Children’s & YA StoriesStoriesConflictConflictObsessionObsessionSpecial powersSpecial powersInjusticeInjusticeHumour/satireHumour/satireIsolation/belongingIsolation/belongingDiscovering a talentDiscovering a talentYA : male/female problemsYA : male/female problems

The Wombat KingThe Wombat King 1. hero with a problem – not 1. hero with a problem – not

fitting infitting in 2. conflict – parents, school2. conflict – parents, school 3. friends – wombats3. friends – wombats 4. fantasy – wombats4. fantasy – wombats 5. theme – nature v culture (bush 5. theme – nature v culture (bush

myth)myth) 6. suspense – does the WK exist 6. suspense – does the WK exist

or not? Is hero turning into a or not? Is hero turning into a wombat or not?wombat or not?

Emma and the MegaheroEmma and the Megahero 1. realism - heroine with a 1. realism - heroine with a

mission – save parkmission – save park 2. fantasy – aged Megahero2. fantasy – aged Megahero 3. conflict – with Mayor, Talent 3. conflict – with Mayor, Talent

Girls, School CounsellorGirls, School Counsellor 4. second mission – help 4. second mission – help

Megahero regain super powersMegahero regain super powers 5. humour – Talent Girls, Self-5. humour – Talent Girls, Self-

esteem, Counsellor's broken heartesteem, Counsellor's broken heart

Rock and Roll Has to DieRock and Roll Has to Die

1. horror genre1. horror genre 2. isolated hero discovers he has 2. isolated hero discovers he has

special power – model cemeteryspecial power – model cemetery 3. misunderstanding – girlfriend’s 3. misunderstanding – girlfriend’s

‘fidelity’‘fidelity’ 4. class element – realism 4. class element – realism

Splot the VikingSplot the Viking 1. hero with a problem – 1. hero with a problem –

embarrassment, need to belongembarrassment, need to belong 2. hero with a quest 2. hero with a quest 3. quest in form of journey3. quest in form of journey 4. fantasy elements: trolls, Viking 4. fantasy elements: trolls, Viking

warrior school, Sconewarrior school, Scone 5. how to defuse Viking violence? 5. how to defuse Viking violence? 6. humour – incompetence, but in 6. humour – incompetence, but in

things not worthy – fighting, things not worthy – fighting, sailing trials. sailing trials.

7. friends – trolls, Morag – equity 7. friends – trolls, Morag – equity

Splot cont’dSplot cont’d Subversion of authority - ChiefsSubversion of authority - Chiefs Empowering of the child characterEmpowering of the child character Hint of transcendence – Hint of transcendence –

resonance (ending)resonance (ending) Threat of the monster (real in Threat of the monster (real in

Norway and pseudo in Scotland)Norway and pseudo in Scotland) Child as agent of change or Child as agent of change or

harmonyharmony Gender politicsGender politics