Hey Adult Readers - Don't Shy Away From YA Novels

 

Whether I’m at book signings, libraries, presentations and other miscellaneous events that bring authors and readers together, I often hear the same thing, “Oh, you write for young adults, well, guess that leaves me out!”

Hold on! Stop everything! Just because a book is intended for a YA audience, it does not preclude it from being enjoyed by adults. In fact, many of the “hottest” novels in today’s marketplace are YA books and their titles are familiar in households everywhere. To cite a few – Twilight, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and….( you can fill in all seven titles), Eragon and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

They range from Romance to Mystery, Fantasy to Adventure, and Comedy to Psychological Drama. Everything from Science Fiction to 21^st Century Survival. So why not include them on your reading list?

YA novels are often edgy, insightful and complex. It’s not just about plot and character development, but about strong themes and pertinent topics that shouldn’t be avoided. Take Suzanne Weyn’s novel, The Bar Code Tattoo. When I first read this book a few years ago, I couldn’t imagine a society where all your vital information (SS number, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.) was tattooed on your arm in the form of a micro-chip when you came of age. Now, in 2013, it seems almost probable, if not inevitable. Frightening, huh? And well worth reading. 

Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel, Speak, deals with the unmentionable topic of rape and how its survivor comes to grips with this event. It shines as an example of empowerment and ability to overcome the worst as its victim sinks deeper and deeper into a silent depression before finding a way out.  

Yep, these books aren’t just for teens! Consider other ones as well. Like Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief and Lois Lowry’s The Giver.

I have to admit, my novels are meant to engage and entertain readers. My protagonists won’t be fraught with angst but they will be faced with choices that all of us have to make at one time or another. In addition, young adults read my books at one level, but often times, it’s the adults who catch the nuances, humor and references to events and people. 

So next time you pass the YA section of your library or have the opportunity to get your hands on a young adult novel, don’t pause. Rush in and enjoy the reading!