Week 13 Prompt: YA books for adults

 Hi y'all

Young Adult is one of my favorite genres/formats, even as an adult. Personally, I label Young Adult as a genre because it has its own set of rules or standards like any other genre. It often features a main character (or several main characters) facing a crisis in their world while typically trying to establish their place in the world. This may mean they are searching for a purpose, reestablishing their world after the concept is destroyed, or fighting to keep their world together. The character must also be a teen or close to it, typically between 15 to 19 years of age. 

One of the main reasons why adults do not want to or feel like they cannot read Young Adult books is that it does not fit into their demographics or, in this case, their age group. As a society, we are so concerned about sticking to what society dictates as appropriate to do, and that's why graphic novels have not been considered "real" books for decades. It's also why adults think they have to read in their age group because Young Adult books are too juvenile (this is a paraphrase from a conversation I once had with a patron about reading a Young Adult book.) 

Young Adult books range in topics, with nothing off limits, and the characters have the wonderful opportunity to make mistakes and then correct them (Leavitt, 2014, par. 2). In my opinion, the storylines are more flexible and emotionally connectable. Adult readers can look back and connect with the characters' journey to understand their place in the world as well as finding their voice (The Book Break, 2024). They are great at teaching life lessons or inspiring people to face their fears, like Graceling, which teaches its readers that you don't have to be what society tells you to be. You aren't defined by a concept of society but by the choices you make. 

Finally, I would argue that Young Adult books are entertaining! Their settings, characters, and storylines are fun and engaging. Not only fantasy or science fiction, which has some of the best worldbuilders out there, but also some great contemporary novels. For a wonderful worldbuilder, Eragon immediately comes to mind. Authors are fearless about bringing their personal experiences to enrich the books, such as their cultures, backgrounds, or family histories. By being courageous, the readers connect more with the materials and will remember the story longer. 

For any holdouts, I would end with any reference libraian fallout topic: movies or TV shows. People do not feel guilty about watching movies and TV shows. Some great movies in the last decade were based off of YA books like Hunger Games, Twilight, or Fault in Our Stars. I would then ask if they have watched any young adult movies and enjoyed them. If so, why wouldn't you read the book and not enjoy it? (The book is always better.)

References

The Book Break. (2024). Why adults can and should read young adult fiction. The Book Break. https://thebookbreak.com/2021/02/11/why-adults-can-and-should-read-young-adult-fiction/#:~:text=Young%20Adult%20Books%20Teach%20Us%20About%20Life&text=I%27d%20actually%20argue%20that,follow%20what%20people%20tell%20you. 

Cashore, K. (2008). Graceling. Harcourt. 

Leavitt, J. (2014, November 24). Should adults read ya?. Shelf Talker. https://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=14484 

Paolini, C. (2005). Eragon. Alfred A. Knopf.