Perhaps it has been a while since you picked up a book that sounds like the voice of a long-lost friend. This is precisely the sort of experience that makes young adult fiction, otherwise known as YA, worth reading. When you find one of these stories, it can be life changing. Whether they are books that were exactly what I needed at a certain moment, or they number among my all-time favorites, this genre has had a lasting impact in my life.
When I first thought of writing about the current world of YA, I immediately turned to the experts, who in this case are the young people who regularly attend Live Oak Public Libraries Teen Book Talk, a bi-monthly virtual book discussion group for 12- to 18-year-olds. These young adults are voracious readers and they are not shy about sharing their opinions.
When I asked them how most people think of YA, they referenced the bestselling “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer. (Never mind that the first book in this series is older than most of the teens that attend Teen Book Talk!) The series’ influence on cultural perceptions shows that in the 15-plus years since its original publication, “Twilight” has become synonymous with YA in many people’s minds.
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
And YA has evolved to include a broader range of teen experiences than it displayed during my teen years and is so much more than glowing vampires and good-looking werewolves. (Of course, it still has those elements, too.) From high-concept fantasy, to magical realism, to true-to-life stories discussing everything from body positivity and mental health to structural racism, cultural identity, and school shootings — YA does not shy away from tough topics.
Librarians firmly believe in advocating for teens and teen reading choices whenever we can. If you are a teen or you are just thinking back to those days, you know that this part of life can be challenging, lonely, and oftentimes emotional. Adolescence is a time when having friends and belonging take on heightened focus and importance. During my lifetime there have been countless books that have become my friends and helped me make connections with those around me. Building connections through the shared experience of reading has formed the foundation for many enduring friendships that exist off the page.
As a facilitator of Teen Book Talk, I am amazed how much joy this group has brought to my life. From hearing one teen describe their preference for a story with just “a light sprinkling of romance” (used to describe “Rebel of the Sands” by Alwyn Hamilton) to hearing another gush over their unending devotion to the revenge plot (“The Count of Monte Cristo” is their favorite novel!), I am reminded of why these conversations are worthwhile.
We talk, we laugh, we get to know one another, and we see at least part of everyone’s inner world. Every couple of weeks when we meet, even if not in-person, we know we will have plenty to talk about. One of the most meaningful conversations we have had revolved around “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak, discussing stories that leave a lasting impression, with characters and emotions that live on in our minds long after reading them.
If you have not ventured into the world of YA recently – or ever – I invite you to give it a try. The humor can be biting (try “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn), the banter may be unbelievable (check out “The Merciful Crow” by Margaret Owen), but the emotions are as real as any you can experience elsewhere in literature. And you may have some fun. Some have said that adults who read YA should be embarrassed, but I am here to encourage you to read what you like. You might even gain a few new insights, too.
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
For parents, caregivers and educators who may have a teen in your family or a student at your school whom you would like to better understand or identify with, sharing a list of favorite books remains one of the best ways to get to know people. Reading together can create conversations and strengthen relationships. And you never know, maybe one of these titles will contain something that is exactly what you need to read right now. In the words of literary legend and author of “Hatchet”, the late Gary Paulsen, “A book is a friend. You can never have too many.”
Maryann Brickey is the senior library manager at Southwest Chatham Library for Live Oak Public Libraries. Visit your local library or connect with us online at liveoakpl.org, @liveoakpl, and communications@liveoakpl.org.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Young adult literature more than good-looking ‘Twilight’ vampires
