What is YA literature?



What is YA literature?

According to Mertz and England, books must meet certain criteria in order to be considered Young Adult literature. To begin with, the main character must be thirteen to eighteen years of age. The story must be written in the adolescent’s point of view, and the character(s) must undergo an important change in his life similar to what young adults may face in theirs.  Just like teens experience changes in their lives and want to gain their independence, the protagonist must undergo changes and be highly independent. 

Changes are important because they force the character to grow and mature in different aspects of his life. This growth is caused by suffering the consequences of his choices. This is important because young adults can learn from their character’s mistakes and can avoid unnecessary suffering. It should also incorporate current issues (even if they are polemical) in the plot. Young Adults literature basically serves as a vehicle for adolescents to connect with the world, cope with the changes in their lives, and understand that if they are forced to face challenging situations, they must know others have gone through it too and have survived and even thrived. If a book meets this criteria, it will motivate the reader to connect with the plot or characters and feel that the book has a magic crystal ball and is describing his current stage of life.

It is imperative for a librarian to understand these characteristics. In order to find the best fit for the students we serve, we need to go back to our adolescent years and provide books that discuss topics, issues, and experiences this age group will likely enjoy and not let my old age and narrow mindedness influence what I purchase for the library.

Lesesne, T., & Perry, K. (n.d.). WHAT IS YA LITERATURE. Retrieved September 14, 2018, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/10HKX1P8AAV6f-eVFIHk1Malu_CqSnJIRU9pjvFPP6PA/edit

(2017, August 9). Retrieved September 14, 2018, from https://www.claveconsultoria.com.br/
       ser-ocupado-demais-para-estar-com-os-amigos-nao-ajudara-sua-carreira/

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