Critics such as James Kincaid, Kathryn Bond Stockton, Michelle Martin, Philippe Ariès, and Suzanne Linn have written about childhood and adolescence as something we consume, criticize, and commercialize, whilst simultaneously romanticizing and desiring. In Consuming Kids (2004), Suzanne Linn suggests consumerist culture is conducting a “hostile takeover” of childhood and adolescence. While cultural consumption of childhood and adolescence has increased, these spheres are likewise being offered up as commercial commodities across medias. We seek papers that explore all aspects of Children’s and Young Adult Literature, as well as those addressing the conference theme of consuming cultures. Considerations may be given to audience, race, technologies, body image, sexualities, disabilities, socioeconomics, immigration, rural/urban spaces, posthumanism, regionalism, and any other critical issues in children’s and young adult literature from any period and genre. Panel proposals are also welcome.

The MMLA conference will take place in Kansas City, MO November 15-18, 2018. Inquiries and/or abstracts of 250-300 words should be sent to Amberyl Malkovich at amalkovich@concord.edu by April 5, 2018. Please include your name, institutional affiliation, e-mail address, and paper title in your abstract.