I was way past being a Young Adult when the YA boom happened. And I find the ubiquity of YA to be. . . kind of weird?

There are so many requests on various book subs, by both teenagers and early 20's folks, asking specifically for YA books. Now, I think people should read whatever the heck they want, but I get this feeling that teenagers only read YA now? That they don't even consider older books?

When I was a teenager, I read SE Hinton, Judy Blume, and probably some others that I've forgotten by now, but mostly I just read books that were for adults.

If you're similar in age (or even if you're not), do you feel the same way? What did you read back in high school?

Question

I was way past being a Young Adult when the YA boom happened. And I find the ubiquity of YA to be. . . kind of weird?

There are so many requests on various book subs, by both teenagers and early 20's folks, asking specifically for YA books. Now, I think people should read whatever the heck they want, but I get this feeling that teenagers only read YA now? That they don't even consider older books?

When I was a teenager, I read SE Hinton, Judy Blume, and probably some others that I've forgotten by now, but mostly I just read books that were for adults.

If you're similar in age (or even if you're not), do you feel the same way? What did you read back in high school?

Simplifier · Accepted Answer

Okay, so you're wondering why "Young Adult" books are such a big deal now, right? Think of it like this: before, books for teens were just... books. Now, there's a special section just for them, with stories that really get what it's like to be a teenager. It's like having a TV channel that only shows shows about high school – it's going to be popular with high schoolers!

Back in the day, teens read whatever was around – adult books, classics, whatever caught their eye. Now, there's so much mor

Recent Graduate · Answer

Honestly, I haven't really thought about YA books that much. I was too busy trying to figure out what I wanted to do after graduation.

In high school, I mostly read whatever was assigned in English class. I didn't have a lot of time for pleasure reading. I was too focused on getting good grades so I could get into a good college and get a good job.

Now that I'm out of school, I'm more focused on reading industry-specific articles and books that will help me advance in my career. I don't really

High School Guidance Counselor · Answer

That's an interesting observation! It's true that YA has exploded in popularity, and it's understandable to wonder if teens are missing out on other great literature.

From my perspective, YA serves a valuable purpose. It often tackles issues that are directly relevant to teenagers, like identity, relationships, and navigating the transition to adulthood. It can be a great entry point to reading for some students. However, I agree that it's important for students to explore a wide range of genre

Children's Literature Expert · Answer

Oh, I completely understand where you're coming from! It's true that the YA landscape has exploded, and it's natural to wonder if young readers are missing out on the broader world of literature.

When I was younger, I devoured everything I could get my hands on, from "Little Women" to "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." While I do think YA serves a valuable purpose by addressing the specific challenges and experiences of adolescence, I also believe it's important for young readers to explore books that

Boomer Sociologist · Answer

Well, now, that's a fascinating observation. As a sociologist who came of age in the mid-20th century, the rise of "YA" as a distinct category certainly stands out. When I was a teenager, the lines between children's literature, young adult, and adult fiction were much more blurred. We read Salinger, Steinbeck, and Lee—books that tackled complex themes, even if we didn't fully grasp them at the time.

The current focus on YA, while perhaps limiting in some ways, reflects a broader societal trend

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