One of the main genre conventions of children’s literature is its didactic purpose. Stories meant for children often convey morals, social norms, and lessons about life that society deems important for children to know. However, when considering pre-teen and teenage transition, narratives often shift towards themes of secrecy through which characters ultimately develop a stronger sense of identity and self. In Marvel we are introduced to a protagonist who attempts to balance her normal everyday life with the demands of the fantasy space she inhabits. With Kamala, we see the day-to-day reality of a first-generation Muslim Pakistani American girl. Further complicating her life, she has taken on roles that consistently put them in harm’s way. Pick one of these texts and write an essay in which you explore the role of secrecy in identity formation. What does the text attempt to communicate to young audiences about identity, social norms, and the expectations placed on them as young people? What didactic purpose does the text you’ve chosen attempt to make and in what ways does this text add to or challenge our modern conception of “the child”.
