Theses and Dissertations

In this study I hope to begin evaluating contemporary young adult literature that focuses on the bereavement of adolescents to see if the novels portray psychologically proven productive coping methods. I hope to initiate a conversation around how complicated bereavement is depicted within young adult literature that will establish a body of research that can be expanded into a further exploration into the young adult literature market. Within my study, I will conduct a psychological literature review on young adult complicated grief and coping mechanisms. Then I will create an instrument of analysis, a rubric/model to evaluate the fidelity of novels based on the research within the literature review. Finally, I will evaluate the depiction of productive adolescent grief coping mechanisms in the recently published novel All My Rage by Saaba Tahir based upon my literary model. Finally, I will write my own short story based upon my research and findings in analyzing the model, seeking to represent methods not seen in the literature or not discussed within research.

“The Garden and Her Secrets” is a young adult novella focused on creating a fantastical world using ASU buildings as inspiration for the key landmarks in this magical landscape. The story centers around a giftless woman, Fiona, striving to make herself extraordinary by breaking hundreds of years of rules and wielding the musical talent of Belle, the unmagical woman who plays at the local piano bar. Fiona’s quest for both love and unlove means finding where the Secret Garden is hiding within her university, the Philomathian, and exploring her newfound feelings for Belle. Should the Secret Garden choose to remove her hood, there are certainly gifts to be had and secrets to rebury.