Y.A. Café Literacy Project Promotes Young Adult Literature

In the Y.A. Café, parents and teens are highly motivated in blending food, discussions, and literature. The dedication of IRA's Board Members allow the Y.A. Café to continue to be unique and ideal way to share young adult literature.

The Y.A. Café is similar to a three-course meal and the Guam Council board members are the wait staff ready to serve the meals and facilitate the book discussion. The courses are closely related to the book and theme. The first course is usually an appetizer, fresh fruit, bread, or soup. These are served along with the quote of the day, riddle, or rhyme. The main course, tuna sandwich, chicken, or beef, is served with a discussion on the selected young adult literature. Once the entrée is consumed, it’s onto the best course, the dessert which was a coconut pie, cake, or tart. It is during this course that the group decides on the next book to read and suggestions are written down by participants.

The increase in participants and book sales is evident that the Y.A. Café continues to be a very successful reading project in the community. Sam Choy’s Restaurant has decided to continue to assist by providing the facility and the three-course meals. Students have discussed pictures of Hollis Woods, So Far from the Bamboo Grove, Downsiders, Loser, and Everest. It is very exciting to be a part of this event, as it encourages young adults to be comfortable and enthusiastic in discussing the book’s theme, issues, and relevance to life. It is in the best interest of the Guam Council to continue to promote young adults to enjoy reading.