How I Think of YA Fiction
As an avid reader of young adult novels, and an author of young adult fiction, the way I think about the term "young adult" is as writing that deals with teen issues, usually in the high school setting. I started reading these types of books when I was a teenager myself, and I do not see an end in sight to when I will stop. Therefore, I think that young adult novels transcend the age gap between teenagers and adults. They are indelibly marked with themes and issues that anyone - child, teenager, or adult - has to deal with at some point in life. Self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, relationship troubles with parents and friends, crushes, bullies - these are all ideas that anyone can identify with, and this is what makes young adult novels so wonderful. They capture the angst and emotion that makes up teenage life, which provides a sense of nostalgia for those older than their teen years, and a sense of curiosity for those younger. The themes are not always positive, so young adult novels also show a sense of reality. Not everything is sunshine and lollipops, and that is another great aspect of young adult novels (even though I love a happy ending, I do like the realistic aspects that make up young adult fiction).