Young adult literature

Young adult (YA) literature, while having only been recognized as a legitimate genre for a relatively short time, is a collection of books that can range from science fiction to autobiography. The genre usually is described as works that involve ideas and transitions that young adults are concerned about, are involved in, or can relate to. Many young adult books have a young adult as the main character as well. The American Library Association (ALA) identifies young adults as ages 12-18.

Related Topics:
Science fiction - Autobiography - Young adult - American Library Association

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The identification of these works as a separate classification originated in library science, probably in the 1960s. Originally, U.S. librarians began setting aside works which were expected to appeal to young adults in separate sections of libraries; following the librarians' lead, publishers began identifying this as a market distinct from either children's literature or books written for adults.

Related Topics:
Library science - 1960s - U.S. - Children's literature - Adult

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Examples of books that predate the classification of young adult, but are now frequently shelved in YA sections of libraries are The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; Salinger's novel, with its troubled teenage protagonist, has been very influential on YA literature. Unlike most recent works classified as YA literature, these works were originally written with an adult audience in mind.

Related Topics:
The Yearling - Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings - The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas - Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

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The blooming of YA literature in the U.S. in the late 1960s may be attributed, at least in part, to the availability of Title II funds for school libraries under the 1965 Elementary and Secondary School Educational Act. However, these funds diminished to a trickle in the 1980s; since then, YA literature in the U.S. has been mostly market-driven.

Related Topics:
1965 Elementary and Secondary School Educational Act - 1980s

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At present about 400 titles a year are published by major U.S. publishers that are considered to fall under the heading of YA literature. Well-known pioneers of YA fiction as a distinct category include Judy Blume, S.E. Hinton. Well-known authors of fiction for adults who have written at least one work for this genre include Michael Chabon (Summerland), Joyce Carol Oates (Big Mouth & Ugly Girl), and Francine Prose (After).

Related Topics:
Judy Blume - S.E. Hinton - Michael Chabon - Summerland - Joyce Carol Oates - Big Mouth & Ugly Girl - Francine Prose - After

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Since 1966, the ALA has put out an annual list of Best Books for Young Adults. The ALA also annually gives the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature. Each year ALA and School Library Journal also recognize an author for his/her lifetime contributions to popular young adult literature with the Margaret A. Edwards Award. Past winners are S.E. Hinton (1988; no award 1989), Richard Peck (1990), Robert Cormier (1991), Lois Duncan (1992), M.E. Kerr (1993), Walter Dean Myers (1994), Cynthia Voigt (1995), Judy Blume (1996), Gary Paulsen (1997), Madeleine L'Engle (1998), Anne McCaffrey (1999), Chris Crutcher (2000), Robert Lipsyte (2001), Paul Zindel (2002), Nancy Garden (2003), and Ursula K. Le Guin (2004).

Related Topics:
1966 - Michael L. Printz Award - School Library Journal - S.E. Hinton - Richard Peck - Robert Cormier - Lois Duncan - M.E. Kerr - Walter Dean Myers - Cynthia Voigt - Judy Blume - Gary Paulsen - Madeleine L'Engle - Anne McCaffrey - Chris Crutcher - Robert Lipsyte - Paul Zindel - Nancy Garden - Ursula K. Le Guin

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Teens enjoy both traditional and new forms of fiction. Graphic novels are especially popular with young adults and are being included in some public and school library collections. Diana Tixier Herald analyzed YA fiction genres in her book Teen Genreflecting (1997). She gives background on teen genre fiction and recommends specific authors and titles in dozens of categories, e.g. fantasy, mystery fiction, and romance novels. Some of the more unexpected subcategories are cyberpunk, splatterpunk, techno-thrillers, problem novels, and contemporary Christian fiction.

Related Topics:
Graphic novels - Fantasy - Mystery fiction - Romance novels - Cyberpunk - Splatterpunk - Techno-thriller - Problem novels - Contemporary Christian fiction

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