Characteristics of Young Adult Literature

By Lonica Rowley

Young adult and adult fiction often overlap boundaries. Part of the difficulty, historically, with getting publishers and literary critics to acknowledge this literary genre lay in actually defining the genre. In fact, even today, well after young adult fiction has been recognized by many critics, there are many works of fiction which continue to vacillate between the two categories. However, there are certain characteristics that continue to appear and define the young adult genre; the following are some of the most significant.

1. Stories are told from the viewpoint of young people. Most young adult fiction is told from a first person perspective and is written from the eyes of a young adult. There may be multiple perspectives or plot lines in a single work, but they will all most likely be told from the perspective of a teenager. Essentially, teenagers like to read about other teenagers. Even if the story doesn’t necessarily center on a young adult, it will often be told from a youngster’s perspective. For example, you could easily argue that To Kill A Mockingbird is really an adult story that revolves around Atticus and Tom Robinson’s court trial, but since the story is told from the perspective a Scout, a young girl, young adults relate more easily to the tale.
2. Young adult stories often get rid of all adult figures. This often allows the young adult to shine in center stage and receive credit for all the work they accomplish throughout the story. Adults are often missing or only play a minor role. An incredible number of stories eliminate any and all adult figures, take Lord of the Flies for example. Certainly, the boys in the story would not have started hunting one another had an adult figure been around to guide and lead them. If, by chance, an adult does figure into the story, they are rarely a parent of one of the characters. More often, any adults in a tale will be more of a mentor figure that the teen has sought out and approaches on their own terms.
3. Young adult literature is fast-paced. Many teens struggle to read for enjoyment at all, let alone willingly plow through a lengthy novel on their own initiative—of course, the Harry Potter series was a ground-breaking work on this front. Most young adult fiction is quick to read and quick to develop. In order to accomplish this task, the young adult genre is often marked by a limited number of characters and narrative events. Furthermore, the language flows naturally and changes and develops with the current times—popularity in speech and trends is often important in young adult fiction.
4. Young adult literature includes a variety of genres and subjects. While I often refer to it simply as “fiction,” the genre is really more than that. Young adults take interest in non-fiction, poetry, drama, science fiction, historical fiction, and even graphic novels, to name just a few. In fact, all types of literature are now being written to appeal to a young adult population. Teens’ tastes vary just as much as adults; they like to read about a variety of subjects and issues in a number of different literary forms. On the same front, young adult authors can feel comfortable writing about other cultures or customs. Not all stories need to be told from a well-understood, American middle-class perspective. Certainly, teens’ interest is piqued by learning about a different experience. In part, that’s one of the greatest values of literature—learning about places and people unlike you. Teens recognize that and can thoroughly immerse themselves in expanding their horizons. Indeed, educational research shows that the teen years are a great time, developmentally, for teens to learn about life outside of themselves.
5. Young adult books are optimistic and characters make worthy accomplishments. Adults often get turned off by a teenaged protagonist that acts like they know more than adults, but in fact this is a major appeal to teens. The ability to succeed on their own terms and in their own way really appeals to young adults. In fact, change and growth is perhaps the most common theme appearing in young adult literature. All works of literature in this genre explore the theme to some extent. In most cases, the protagonist loses innocence as part of the passage from childhood to adulthood. This gaining of maturity would, potentially, affect them for the rest of their lives. The inherent need to learn, grow, and overcome appeals to teens of all ages.
6. Young adult novels deal with real emotions. At a time in life when hormones often rule, teens take particular interest in emotions and want to see them accurately represented in the fiction they read. Often books deal with similar emotional struggles: acquiring more mature social skills, achieving emotional independence from parents and other adults, developing a personal ideology and ethical standard, achieving a masculine or feminine sex role, etc. By following the development of these feelings in a fictional character, teens are often able to work out their own angst and emotional struggles.

While this is only a brief view of young adult fiction, these defining characteristics often help to establish and corral the genre. Certainly, once you are aware, it becomes easy to see the reoccurrence of these characteristics when reading young adult literature.

Much of this information is taken from the book Literature for Today’s Young Adults by Kenneth Donelson and Alleen pace Nilsen. Certainly, if you are interested in learning more about this thriving literary genre, this is one of the most highly-reputed texts in the field. I would strongly recommend this entertaining and informative text to anyone curious about the field.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

By Lonica Rowley

Before recently, I've only read Orson Scott Card's religious fiction, Sarah. I enjoyed this novel and thought it was well-researched and uplifiting. Well, I should mention that I also read Ender's Game at the behest of my mother back as a teenager (that's a story for another day). I will say though, that I hated Ender's Game the first time around. As part of my young adult literature class I was compelled to read it again. I've been dreading it for weeks now. Pleasantly, I was rather surprised when I began reading it again and was immediately drawn in an intrigued by the story. I don't remember any of the plot from when I was younger, so I'd like to think that this was my initial attempt at the novel. I remained interested and motivated by the story right up until the end.

Essentially, the novel opens with a six-year-old boy, Ender, who has had his "monitor" removed. The reader, while entirely unsure of what a "monitor" is exactly, fully understands the significance and danger in which this places Ender. Luckily, Ender doesn't have survive without his monitor for long. He is summoned to Battle School where he is going to learn how to commande future armies in the world's ward against the Buggers. Over the course of the next five years Ender begins to slowly realize what exactly is instore for him.

I know, I know, it all sounds a little implausible, but Card does a wonderful job narrating his story and creating a great deal of sympathy for the Ender. While the novel is science fiction, the issues invovled really make the reader start to think. How should people best handle power? Is it right to put so much pressure on one so young, even if that is the only option? Is it better to be agressive or should we wait patiently for what will come?

While I might not have recognized it as a teen, I can truly see now why Ender's Game won both the Hugo and Nebula award, making Card the only recipient to recieve both of science fiction's most prestigious awards consecutively. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Giver, or The Host, Ender's Game could be right up your alley. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

This book combines an interesting mixture of humor and pathos. I didn't realize that a story so sad could also be so funny! Arnold Spirit, at the suggestion of one of his teachers, leaves his reservation school for the larger and more "hopeful" high school off the reservation. As a traitor to his tribe and friends, Arnold, must learn how to pave a new direction in life for himself, while still staying true to his heritage.

I was particularly fond of Alexie's style and humor. While the book is slightly crude, with some bad language and sexual images, I found the story to smack of authenticity. Teens would relate well to the emotions Arnold faces. More than anything, Alexie possesses the knack for depicting real life in writing. As a National Book Award Winner, this book is one that everyone should read.

I also selected this book to review for another important reason. I've often had people ask me how I feel about audio books--are they a legitimate form of literature? I would easily argue--yes!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a perfect example of a high-quality audio book. Not only did it win the Odyssey Award, an award for for the best audio book of the year, but it also provides an enriching dimension to reading the paper copy of the book. Read by the author, the audio recording adds to the humor and dynamics of the story. In fact, the book (since it contains a large number of cartoons drawn by the main character) goes well when read along with the audio recording.

Young adults (or anyone for that reason) can learn a lot when listening to the pitch and rhythm of the written word when delivered by a skilled narrator. Listening to audio books are particularly valuable for students who struggle to read, stutter, suffer from dyslexia, or even avoid reading. Following along in a text while listening can help readers to train their inner "listening" ear; it can help them learn to recognize the way that punctuation should be read. I worked with many students who miss the humor or meaning of a story when reading silently to themselves, but pick up on it when listening to the story vocally.

Audio books also have the advantage of being portable and allowing the listener to multi-task. You can listen to a story while folding laundry, washing dishes, exercising, or even driving (assuming you can do it safely!). If finding time for reading is difficult, audio books can help circumvent this difficulty. I'm not sure about the Columbus Metropolitan Library, but I know that Upper Arlington is starting to offer more and more books in a Playaway format. This audio recording doesn't require a tape or CD player to listen. The book comes entirely downloaded on a 2"x3" device that you can plug a set of head phones into. They are easily portable and convenient.

If you need are still hesitant about audio recordings, this information, taken from YALSA site, might help convince you:

Circulation for children's audio books rose 10.7 percent and the budget for these materials rose 4.8 percent (Audio Publisher Association, December 2004)

The growth in circulation of audio books is outpacing overall library circulation. Book clubs are increasingly made up of hybrid listener-readers, and the market for children's audio books is booming! (“Loud, Proud, Unabridged: It Is Too Reading!; The New York Times, May 26, 2005)

It's important that we recognize the role of audio books in the development of literacy. Consider the following:

Research shows that one of the most important reasons for the increasing interest in audio books for young people is the correlation between listening to audio books and improvements in reading comprehension, fluency, language acquisition, vocabulary development and improved achievement. (“Not Just for Listening,” Book Links, May 2005)

Fewer Americans are reading books than a decade ago, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, but almost a third more are listening to them on tapes, CDs and iPods. (“Loud, Proud, Unabridged: It Is Too Reading!; The New York Times, May 26, 2005)

According to Wendy Kasten, an education professor at Kent State University, “Listening to tapes with books in front of students is very, very good for building vocabulary.” (“To Curl Up with a Good Book, Listen Up,” The Plain Dealer, May 23, 2005)

At any rate, if choosing between not reading at all or listening to a story, I would much rather have student listen to the story. While there are significant advantages to seeing English written correctly (students can see spelling, grammar and mechanics of words), participating in literacy, whatever the medium might be, is better than missing out entirely.

YALSA Yearly Book Awards

The end of January is a big time of year for young adult literature fans, as it marks the announcement of that year’s award winning novels. Many people are familiar with the popular children’s awards, The Caldecott and The Newberry, but fewer people realized that young adult books also receive awards. The Young Adult Library Services Association (or YALSA) hosts and organizes this annual event. After committees read, nominate, and vote on winners throughout the year, the association meets at the end of each January to announce the yearly winners.

The Printz

The Printz award is perhaps the most coveted and prized of all young adult fiction awards. The purpose of this award is to identify “a book that exemplifies literary excellent in young adult literature.” One book each year is granted this honored award, but four as also selected as the honorary books of the year.

This years winner, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, is a story about Taylor Markham, a young woman haunted by her past, who reluctantly leads the students of the Jellicoe School in their secret territory wars against the Townies and the Cadets. Marchetta’s lyrical writing evokes the Australian landscape in a suspenseful tale of raw emotion, romance, humor and tragedy.

Melina Marchetta lives in Sydney, Australia, and is the award-winning author of two previous novels. A former high school teacher, she is recognized for the authenticity of her teen characters’ voices.

2009’s Honorary Printz Awards include:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II, The Kingdom on the Waves, by M.T. Anderson; The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart; Nation, by Terry Pratchett; and Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan.

The Margaret A. Edwards Award

The Edwards Awards is in honor of one outstanding author whose body of writing has made a significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. Furthermore, "it recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world."

I was excited to find that this year, Laurie Halse Anderson, was selected to recieve this award. As the recipient of this year's awards she will be the key note speaker at this years annual YALSA conference this upcoming summer. Although Anderson has written a number of different books, this award particularly highlights her novels Catalyst, Fever 1793, and Speak. With the publication of Speak, itself a 1995 honory Printz book, Anderson marked herself as a strong author who not only produces high-quality literature, but also as someone who can appeal to young adult readers.

The Alex Awards

The Alex Award is given yearly to ten books written for adults, but which would have particular appeal for to young adults, ages 12-18. Many books, either fiction or non-fiction have recieved this honor.

William C. Morris Award

The Morris Award saw it's debut this year with the selection of A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce. The award is given to an first-time publishing author writing to teens and "celebrates impressive new voices in young adult literature."

In addition to these particular awards, YALSA publishes a number of different booklists each year. These lists are a wonderful place to start when looking for good literature to read. Each year's lists include: (To see this years winners in each category, click on the link below.)

Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults

Best Books for Young Adults

Fabulous Films for Young Adults

Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Oustanding Books for the College Bound

Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers

Teens' Top Ten

Whatever your personal interest, the books selected by YALSA each year can be a great place to start looking when you need something new to read. Understanding the awards and the purpose of each award can help you deliberate, decide and better appreciate the literature you find on the bookstore or library shelve.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Brian Selznick created waves with his “picture book” The Invention of Hugo Cabret. At 530 pages long, this is definitely not your typical picture book (most picture books have a standard 32 pages). It is, however, a wonderful story—so wonderful in fact that it was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 2008, marking it as the most distinguished American picture book for children of the year.

Told with beautifully illustrated images, this story follows the adventures of Hugo as he strives to survive alone, lonely, and destitute in a Paris train station. With a talent for working on clocks and fiddling with machines, Hugo hopes to keep himself alive long enough to reconnect with his father by rebuilding an automaton he hopes will pass on a message from his father who died years earlier in a fire.

Along his quest to reconnect with his father, Hugo manages to get himself into a few scrapes, meet some new friends, discover some new truths, and find himself and loving and caring family. A tear jerker and heartwarming at the same time, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not only a landmark literary creation, it is also an emotional story readers of all ages can enjoy.

Have you read a good book lately? Tell us about it! E-mail your review to Lonica2.blogforliteracy@blogger.com and it will be posted to blog.

The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins

I recently read and devoured The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It was a great and quick read! Although, it’s a young adult novel, this work of fantasy/science fiction could easily be consumed by teens and adults alike. The story begins years into the future after the destruction of North America. In an effort to keep the newly-formed “districts” under control the Capital hosts a yearly “Hunger Games” event. Two teenagers from each district are selected to travel to the Capital and fight to the death in this Gladiator-like experience. When her younger sister is selected for the competition, Katniss volunteers to take her place, thus saving her sister’s life. But can Katniss save her own life? You’ll have to read to find out! I highly recommend this book to anyone. Although not much of a fan of science fiction, I found I could hardly put this book down. As a growing popular novel, you’ll want to find out for yourself what all the excitement is about.

Have you read a good book lately? Tell us about it! E-mail your review to Lonica2.blogforliteracy@blogger.com and it will be posted to blog.

An Introduction to YA Fiction

By Lonica Rowley

Young Adult or YA Fiction has a rather modern history, when compared with literature as a whole. While books that appeal to teenagers have always existed—think Anne of Green Gables, Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, and Little Women—it wasn’t until the 1950’s that books were thought of in terms of “young adult” novels. Some claim the creation of this literary category began with the writing of The Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies. Although these books were originally intended for an adult audience, they quickly appealed to young adult readers as well. However, it wasn’t until the writing of The Outsiders--by an actual young adult author—that category really took off.

Despite its rather recent beginnings, the trend to read and write young adult fiction has grown exponentially. It now demands a large portion of the publishing market. Teenagers of today are surrounded by literary works of fiction that appeal and are written specifically for them.

This section of the fictional market should not be overlooked; these books shine with literary value and merit. Many writers, just as capable as any New York Times Bestselling Authors, focus their energies in appealing to a younger demographic. These books are valuable—to young adult and adult readers alike—for a number of reasons, many of which we will look at throughout this column. Come back often to learn more about this growing literary trend .