Why Readers Like YA
The idea is for you to recognize. I bet when you know your self-worth, maintain your glow, and keep it real, you are bound to fit into remarkable things in the future. These kinds of sentiments are dully captured in most Young Adult or New Adult genres. The young protagonists anywhere from about age 14 to 22 always embark on a journey that lead to self-actualization.
Young Adult has been around for a while, but its popularity surged in the last two or three decades. The need to tell stories from a youth’s perspective became ever so important. Adults read YA. Adults also write YA as they do children’s stories, but usually, care is taken to mimic the voice of youths or at least tell stories from their perspectives.
Teens also read adult fiction. As such, there are no literary differences between the two. I see YA as the bridge between children’s stories and adult fiction. The themes always deal with finding identity, friendships, relationships, leaving the house, education, and realizing certain truths about existence or living in the world. Most characters in Young Adult stories are rebellious. In some cases, they have to be in order to subdue or overcome oppressive forces.
Writers of YA face much criticism because the boundaries are always contested. It’s like the PG rating thing. How much sex should be included? Just like other societal topics, people weigh in from their own experiences and outlook on life. Some of the themes that writers choose are inevitably what happen to people of that age category. Some talk about using the experiences of a stereotyped group of people. In a certain situation, it was as if those who criticize feel like they are the only ones authorized to make commentaries on certain issues. Others are just comfortable if the theme was handled by someone who looks different from them so they can have excuses to dabble with an inferiority complex. A writer doesn’t just write, creativity is in the air if you know what am saying.
Characters in most Young Adult novels can be so angry. They face unprecedented situations they struggle with. Some of them rebel against their parents or authorities because of generational differences. In some cases, these young people have no close adult influences in their lives. Adults like YA because it provides insight into the minds of younger people and issues they struggle with. The genre also provides an opportunity to go back in time and relate your experiences growing up, with the confidence of the characters you relate to their stories. There is a subgenre of YA called problem novels because the characters struggle with drugs, poverty, or unwanted pregnancies.
Young Adult is also referred to as Coming-Of-Age. The journey of the characters usually starts from inexperience to maturity. They deal with obstacles in their path, learn along the way, and assemble the life tools they need to excel. The most attractive trait I find in YA’s main characters is confidence. Depending on the story structure, courage may lack in the beginning, but with time, overcoming obstacles strengthens the character. Some characters are confident from the get-go. It depends on how the author wants to handle the plot.
Popular Young Adults include The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. The four-book thriller is the highest-selling YA if Harry Potter is regarded purely as fantasy. But due to the age of the characters in J.k Rowling’s masterpiece, some regard Harry Potter as YA. I also enjoyed Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Ender trained and trained, but he emerged victorious. It by Stephen King is amazing. And of course, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, to mention a few.
In YA, the characters encounter or seek out mentors who help them along the way. This relationship helps when the mentor is honest and kind. There are cases where the master is part of the problem. In any case, the characters learn, become stronger, and achieve their objectives. I have discussed the importance of selecting your influences nicely if you ever require one.
YA characters may also need to bring together a team. Usually, the stakes are high so bringing up morale is very important. Maintaining the morale of the team or an individual’s courage is always part of the underlying themes that make this genre tick. I was influenced and I am happy that I have influenced others. I understand what it means to generate good content no matter the medium. My take is that once a baby is born, it takes its first step. People don’t remain the same or stay at a place because you want them to.
Readers like Young Adult because the genre is thrilling to read. The emotions explored reaches the heart because they concern younger people. In adult fiction, some hurts are easier to absorb, but when children are hurting, it changes everything. For teenagers, Young Adult Fiction serve as inspirational materials. At that age, it is always good to have someone you can relate to. Most teenagers do not open up to adults. Some think the problems they encounter are new. Reading these books helps encourage them to face whatever adversity and triumph. For adults, I believe reading Young Adult should spur a zeal to make changes that better the lives of children and youths.
