Graduation season is almost here, so May is a great month to reflect on transitions; from middle school to high school, and from high school into the world beyond—whether that’s college, a job or another sort of adventure.
It’s also a great month to pick up a Young Adult fiction or non-fiction title.
Adults, whose coming of age years may be decades in the past, especially those who don’t have teens of their own, may not realize how enjoyable these books can be. But since the goal of Reading Resolutions is to encourage readers to try new and unfamiliar genres, here are a few reasons to give YA a try, courtesy of YA author Janae Marks:
The books are entertaining! Since teens have so many distractions, including the ability to stream a hit movie or TV series straight from their phone, YA books need to grab and hold their attention. In addition to being page-turners, the stories also offer well-developed and relatable characters, compelling plots and vivid world building, which can make a reader feel like they’re living the story, right along with the characters.
They tackle complex themes. Like novels written for adults, YA fiction deals with serious themes, such as substance abuse, sexuality, racism, mental health, suicide, and violence at home, school and on the streets. At the same time, the serious topics are usually balanced by an uplifting, rather than cynical, tone. While the stories and endings aren’t always happy, readers can walk away feeling hopeful.
They’re often “clean” reads. Though there’s frequently a romantic element in YA fiction, books written for teens generally don’t have on-page sex scenes, or excessive swearing. While individual authors may include edgier content, it’s likely to be less explicit than what you’d find in adult genres. In addition, friendships and family ties are as likely as first love, to be at the emotional heart of a YA novel.
Want to know more? Check out Janae’s post here, or visit our online YA catalog to reserve your May Young Adult selection.
Already a YA fan? Consider joining AAPLD’s Forever Young book club, for adult fans of Young Adult literature. The group meets virtually, the second Monday of each month, at 6:30 p.m. May’s read is Kent State, by Deborah Wiles. Click here to register.