What is your reading experience with YA?

TORDA'S FALL 2024 TEACHING SITE

What is your reading experience with YA?

9/7/2022

For our first discussion board of the semester, nothing stressful, think about your reading experiences as a young adult reader. You might still think of yourself as a young adult reader (as we will talk about later n the semester--lots of fully adult readers read YA; it's a trend in publishing). In any case, think about the books you read that would be called YA, think about what they meant to you, think about how they shaped you as a reader, a student, a writer, a thinker, a human.

Post: your 200-300 word YA reading story.

Respond: to at least one classmate. Try not to write the perfunctory "I totally agree". I seriously hate that. Try to connect with your classmates where you can; have conversations with each other about what strikes you as unique about your colleagues' stories. Try to really read and respond with heart and generosity to each other. Maybe even enjoy it.

How to post: Click on the "comment" button at the top of the post. To reply to a classmate, click on the "reply" button in the lower right corner of a post.

56 Comments

Jenivieve D'Andrea

9/8/2022 07:59:47 am

It’s interesting because now looking at my bookshelf, I realize just how many of the books I enjoy today are considered YA fiction. My experience with young adult literature spans back to high school English classes. Looking back, at the time I did not necessarily realize the majority of our material was YA fiction, but nonetheless, I loved trying to track certain literary elements. I also loved the discussions that would come out of classes about what an image, line of prose, pattern, or character might represent. Writing about YA literature was rewarding in high school because the intersection between the coming of age and literary elements would make for a challenging, but a great piece. Typically, the YA literature/fiction that I enjoy most comes from the first-person point of view. In high school especially, and even now, I like the intimacy that it brings to the reader. More importantly, the reason I think I still purchase and read YA like The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, etc… is because this genre encapsulates such a relatable desire for anyone no matter your age: to fit into the world around you. I think that everyone can agree, that it is especially pressing for adolescents, and this genre conveniently has lessons embedded within the contents of the story. Many of the lessons I learned from YA literature such as the value of honesty, self-expression, self-discovery, humbleness, friendship, etc., are relevant in every adult's daily life.

Meaghan Cook

9/8/2022 03:11:42 pm

Hi Jenivieve,

I also love the conversations that can spark from a really good book. I especially love coming together with people who have different opinions or were able to find different details that I may have missed. I also didn't realize until after high school that there were so many classic books that were considered YA. I think it's interesting to see the way certain books are considered less intellectual when they are marked as YA, when they can actually teach us some of the most valuable lessons.

Jenivieve

9/11/2022 07:45:13 am

I think you make a great point when you say that some people may wrongly assume that YA is less intellectual, when really they are an achievable read for most that teaches invaluable lessons. I also agree, discussions are my favorite part of reading YA.

Lucienne Quirk

9/13/2022 06:06:54 pm

Hi Jenivieve,

First off-- your outfit at observations this morning was so cute.

I like that you're emphasizing the effect that the literature we read as kids has on our personalities. I remember wanting to embody protagonists that I read about in books; life imitates art I guess! Looking back, I wonder how much of my current personality and interests are because of the literature I read. I think the point you have about wanting to "see ourselves" within the text is so important-- sometimes we will want to forge an identity around a text not because we are 'just like' the main character, but because it invites us to pretend and explore ourselves, allowing for the possibility that you could take up a small space on the page.

Chloe Tavernier

9/8/2022 11:19:16 am

It’s not often I purchase novels to add to my personal collection in my bookshelf, I prefer to borrow them from my local library, seeing as that's a relatively straightforward and convenient way to access a plethora of books. I rarely go out of my way to add a book to my collection but lately I find myself gravitating towards novels that are categorized under the YA genre. I cannot recall precisely which book was my first introduction to YA, but it was undoubtedly an assigned reading in high school. Nevertheless, YA has always been a genre that I have particularly enjoyed with utmost passion. I particularly enjoy YA’s that follow a grand fantastical journey. Complex narratives that exude both playful whimsy and thrilling dangers. The more imaginative and outlandish, the better. Despite their occasional unconventional premise and setting, at their core the genre of young adult still embodies the most familiar and fundamental aspects of human life; the desire for connections, the joys and strife associated with coming of age, and the innate yearning to be understood. I believe that is why I am immensely fond of young adult literature so much. It understands and personifies our feelings and sentiments. It captures the most familiar, relatable, and undeniably human emotions through the expression of characters and the creative settings and weaves it into a magnificent tale that is both similar and dissimilar at times to the encounters of our daily lives. That is not to undermine YA novels that are more grounded in realistic contemporary settings, as they too contain invaluable lessons and messages. Moreover, their value should not be underrated as some might find their realistic approach more relatable and easier to connect with. I hope I will become more familiar with other subsets of young adult literature over the course of this semester.

Meaghan Cook

9/8/2022 03:15:40 pm

Hi Chloe,

I love that you primarily use the library to find your books. I think it's so important to use those resources that are available to us. I tend to use the library mostly for audiobooks, and I love that most libraries have online catalogues now! I agree that YA can teach us valuable lessons, especially about growing up and learning our place in the world around us. I am also fond of YA fantasy novels, especially ones that involve magic and alternate worlds! It's always so surprising how relatable the characters are, even if they have special powers or secret worlds. I look forward to learning alongside you this semester!

9/9/2022 10:15:40 am

Fellow library users unite! Now is such an important time to use our public libraries, and there is an intersection between this and YA. There are state legislatures across the country that are actively working to keep some YA titles--the very ones you guys are writing about in this discussion board--out of the hands of young readers. Reading is revolutionary. We tend to forget that. That's why people try to ban books and restrict access to libraries because reading does exactly what a number of you are writing about here--it opens your world to new people, places, things, ideas, beliefs etc.

Meaghan Cook

9/8/2022 03:08:20 pm

I have been reading for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest childhood memories is picking up the first Harry Potter book and absolutely losing myself in the world. I used any spare minute to read, often bringing my book to the dinner table or staying up into the early hours of the morning to finish just one more chapter. Even today, I carry a book wherever I go and spend every spare minute reading. I wouldn’t be who I am today if my parents had not encouraged my love of reading. I still reach for YA novels, especially YA fantasy novels. These books tell stories about finding your voice and your place in the world. The stories I’ve read have taught me about life, love, loss, family, and adventure. As a younger reader, I enjoyed young adult novels because they proved to me that I wasn’t alone, that the things I was thinking and feeling weren’t strange or wrong. Characters like Hermione Granger, Matilda, and Jo March taught me that it was okay to love books. Characters like Alina Starkov from Shadow and Bone, Bree Matthews from Legendborn, and Katniss Everdeen from Hunger Games taught me that it’s important to stand up for what you believe in. Stories like The Book Thief, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Last Night at the Telegraph Club took me back to times in history I wasn’t around to experience and put me in the shoes of people whose lives I wouldn’t otherwise understand. There are many more lessons I have learned and will continue to learn from YA novels, especially with the genre becoming more popular and diversified.

Celeste Barbosa

9/9/2022 07:49:10 am

Hi Meaghan!

I am right there with you when it comes to being an avid reader. When I was younger my parents would get so mad at me for staying up all night reading. I think your point on YA books revolving around finding your voice in the world is really important and true. A lot of these novels that we read discuss different issues but they also provide a multitude of lessons for us to learn from. Intertwining these books in our classrooms as future teachers will allow students to feel heard and noticed during a time in their life well they may be struggling with this.

And if you still reach for YA fantasy, I HIGHLY recommend "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series by Sarah J Maas!

Allie Gallahue

9/11/2022 06:46:29 pm

Hi Celeste!
I think that your point about integrating YA novels into our future classrooms is really important; a big part of teaching, to me, is creating a strong relationship with students. Many students may feel as though they have nobody to turn to, and by introducing them to books that allow them to feel heard and seen, they will form a positive connection between the books and us as their teachers. In doing so, we are further able to provide them with support and guidance that is necessary for both their personal growth and their education.

Alexa Delling

9/9/2022 04:01:33 pm

Hi Meaghan!

Your post caught my eye because I have a completely different relationship with books and I think your dedication and love for reading is extremely admirable. I enjoyed reading to an extent when I was little but I rarely was excited about reading let alone doing it on my own. I think a few middle school and high schools reads definitely stumped my interest in books since I simply just did not enjoy them. It truly is all about matching the right genre with the right person for me at least! I love how you mention YA is about finding your voice and place in the world as you feel comforted and related to these characters going through times we may have been as well as young adults.

Allie Gallahue

9/11/2022 06:40:17 pm

Hi Meaghan,
I love how passionate you are about reading. I have also always loved to read, and was often found carrying a book around with me wherever I went. However, I was not as fortunate as you were to have parents who were supportive of my love for reading. I was often told I needed to "enjoy what was happening in the real world." However, as you mentioned, YA novels teach us more about the "real world" and certain themes than a lot of people realize. The plots and characters are easy to relate to, and these characters are often depicted as real people with struggles that many of us experience every day. Even if we read about topics that we do not directly encounter within our own lives, these novels open our eyes to different sets of challenges that those around us may be facing. Due to this, I often found myself to be a lot more empatheic to those around me, and I now always consider the thoughts, feelings, and hardships of my peers before placing judgement. For me, it is safe to say that YA novels have forced me to become a better person who values the idea that there are always two sides to every story.

Adam Fernandes

9/9/2022 07:10:51 am

The YA novels I have are Crackback (John Coy) and To Kill a Mockingbird. Aside from these, I did read the Goosebumps series and the Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark trilogy. To this day, I still read the Scary Stories. Looking back, I enjoyed the more "gruesome" and "haunting" pieces.

Celeste Barbosa

9/9/2022 07:39:36 am

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I would always ask for books around Christmas and my birthday and I would go crazy when the it was book fair time at school. Some of my favorites were any and all of the John Green books, the Divergent series, and The Book Thief. These books allowed me to learn different things about life like loving someone to the best of your abilities despite any obstacles and standing up for what you believe in. I feel like the YA books we are seeing come to light now are even better and more impactful because they are discussing topics like racism, LGTBQ+, sexism, immigration, etc. These novels allow people to see and understand these topics on a different level. For my EDHM 335 class, I created an entire month unit plan on the YA novel "The Hate U Give" and I was able to incorporate conversations about police brutality and racism into my lessons to allow students to have their voices heard. This novel was also an amazing piece of literature that allowed students to learn about motifs, symbols, and theme, so not only was it beneficial for students emotionally, but it also created a fun way to learn about different literary devices. YA novels typically have a rep for just being about romance and dystopian settings, but when we take a deeper look at them, we can see they are beneficial to society as a whole because there is always a lesson everyone can benefit from.

Samantha Tyrrell

9/9/2022 09:11:37 am

Hi Celeste,

You bring up an interesting point that many YA books have some larger message beyond the surface text, such as standing up for what you believe in. Ironically, YA novels aren't seen by many as literature, or as books worthy of consideration. Many of us have been shaped by YA novels that we've read in the past, so teachers play a vital role in spreading these larger messages that these books often contain.

Maddy Ames

9/9/2022 11:04:09 am

Celeste! I love how you brought up the social and cultural topics that so many YA novels cover. I think when we begin to read in between the lines, there are so many things we can glean from the stories we grew up on. Furthermore, I love how seen books can make us feel. I adored the Percy Jackson books, because he had dyslexia like I do, and it was part of his superpower. I think YA novels are so important because they walk us through both internal and external challenges and changes.

Jessica Sweeney

9/15/2022 05:23:35 pm

Hi Celeste! It's interesting how you bring up the rep YA novels often get. People often value books on how complex or sophisticated they are in language and covert meaning, yet don't consider YA novels to have that value. We can find the same themes and complexity, granted more accessible, in YA novels. There is great value in books that get young people excited about reading. I think the kind of representation you talk about is what makes this genre so impactful for so many.

Samantha Tyrrell

9/9/2022 09:17:46 am

I was an avid reader as a child, so I read many YA novels. The ones that come to mind are To Kill a Mockingbird, the Hunger Games series, the Divergent series, and the Percy Jackson series. These books helped me to feel less alone during a rocky period of great change in adolescence. Each YA novel I've read has had some larger message to take away, such as standing up for what is right. These novels shaped the way I think and interact with the world around me.

Allie Gallahue

9/11/2022 08:07:43 pm

Hi Samantha!
I think that you bring up a really important point here that I have now come across a few times. This idea is that YA novels help people through hard times in their lives. I believe that there are messages that are really important in all YA novels that can help people in so many ways. I once had a professor that told me that all great literature tells us a story about either love or death. I think this is because we can all relate to those two ideas, since they are both things that everyone will end up experiencing in some way. I bring this up as a way to say that sometimes all you need is to relate to something in order to help you push through your hardships, because it shifts your persepctive and makes you realize that you are not alone in your struggles. Once you realize that there are people out there experiencing the same things that you are, it proves to you that your feelings are heard and valued and you can get through these challenges and come out stronger. YA literature gives us this feeling of validity through its power of relatability and unity, and I have always loved it because of that.

Maddy Ames

9/9/2022 10:42:13 am

I keep a copy of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in the backseat of my car that I refer to as my “emergency book” because, for my whole life, reading has always been a source of comfort for me. The fact that print on paper can move someone to laugh aloud or to cry fascinates me. On the bookshelves near my desk at home are copies of many YA novels that shaped how I think and view the world around me in many ways. When I was probably around twelve, I read a book called Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. The novel is about Melody, a girl with CP, who is absolutely brilliant. I remember being absolutely blown away by this new understanding that not everyone or everything is as it appears on the surface. I read hundreds of love stories, coming-of-age novels and series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. Books with characters that I could see myself reflected in held my attention and were validating to me in their own way- but what has always piqued my interest are the stories of people who are nothing like me. Characters who don’t look like me, such as Starr in The Hate U Give, who experiences a cruel, biased side of America that can often be downplayed, broke my heart and put it back together in the same novel. Characters who don’t think like me, like David in What to Say Next, who finds love while navigating high school as a student with autism, taught me to be mindful of how others process life differently. YA novels became a large part of the framework I used to build my worldview, ironically enough.

Sydney Blair

9/9/2022 11:05:01 am

Hi Maddy!
First off I love that the Fault in Our Stars is your emergency book, that was one of my favorites and the first book to ever make me cry...or sob. I also really liked what you said about reading about characters who don't think like you. Being able to read from some one else's point of view, especially when they have such a different perspective is something so powerful. I think by reading these kinds of stories it can both help us feel either seen, and/or appreciate a whole new outlook and perspective on life.

Jenivieve

9/11/2022 07:49:44 am

Hey there Maddy,

I love that you have an emergency copy of John Greene's The Fault in Our Stars. I too always used reading, especially YA, as a comfort technique. You mentioned that one book gave you a realization that not everyone is the same; I remember having a similar epiphany when I read a book about a girl living in an abusive situation. Reading books about protagonists that differ from yourself is so refreshing because you can get an intimate perspective on a life you otherwise couldn't have imagined. Like much of your post suggests, reading YA can give us experiences that increase our awareness, empathy, and understanding of the world and people around us.

Megan Keller

9/11/2022 11:49:12 am

Hi Maddy,

I love The Fault In Our Stars as your emergency book. I feel that having a book as a sort of safe space is super interesting. I loved your outlook as calling it your emergency book because I personally would have never thought of a book in this way. It really opened my eyes to how a book really can have that much meaning and power over someone. Thank you for sharing and opening my eyes to this!

Sydney Blair

9/9/2022 10:55:32 am

As an English major you would think that I would love reading, but only very recently have I developed a new love and appreciation for reading for pleasure. While I constantly was reading for class, I was left with very little spare time to read for myself. This summer I began to pick up reading again and although I spent the school year reading more advanced and mature works, I recently found myself picking up mostly YA novels. While I did enjoy a lot of my assigned readings it was nice to be able to pick up a book that interested me. Throughout high school I loved reading YA novels and I think by reading them again reminds me of that time and brings me some comfort. I love reading these YA novels now as an undergrad student because I have a deeper understanding on literature than I did before beginning my college career. Now when reading them, I am able to appreciate the different literary aspects as well as compare it to my life as I have a little more life experience, and most of all they are just fun to read! As I look at the stack of books, I have read this summer I realize that they are all YA. Most of them are even by the same author (shoutout Coleen Hoover). These books come much easier to read to me compared to genres that I would read during the semester such as 18th century gothic lit or Shakespeare. Getting to read these YA novels not only teach lessons to myself as I read them, but helps me understand different perspectives and ideals that my future students may hold.

Mary Viera

9/9/2022 02:29:01 pm

Hi Sydney! I struggle with the same thing as an English major. It's always hard to find the time or energy to read for pleasure when you have so many books to read during the semester, but when I do read for pleasure I find that I can appreciate it so much more. I think this something we need to keep in mind when we start teaching as I always hear students complain about how they hate reading and I often wonder if people avoid reading because of their school experiences.

Catie Mullen

9/11/2022 12:11:49 pm

Hi Sydney! I couldn't agree more. I found it hard during the semester to pick up a book for pleasure when, as an English major, you already have so many books to focus on reading. I used to read so many books in high school and middle school that when I came to college or later years in high school, it was too hard to balance multiple books at once. YA books are so calming, refreshing, and easy to read. They are a way to step out of your usual life and jump into someone elses for a few hours. I believe that each book you read leaves you with a lesson. I'm curious what discussions will come from the books we read this semester.

Best,
Catie Mullen

Mary Viera

9/9/2022 01:44:43 pm

As a young adult reader I was mainly interested in historical fiction and autobiographies. I’ve always loved to read ever since I can remember first learning how. Moving up to the Young Adult section in the bookstore was a milestone in my life as a reader and a student because it challenged me and introduced me to new ways of thinking and writing. I remember feeling more mature and “cool” about reading YA novels as they carried more sophistication than the younger kid books. If I can remember right, I started to read YA novels just as I was moving from the “learning to read” phase to the “reading to learn” phase. I consider those novels to be the foundation of my literature knowledge as that was the time that I started to pay more attention to the nuances of writing and character development. Even today I can still make connections to stories that I read 10 years ago because they stuck with me that much. They never lose their relevance because of their universal themes. YA novels are available for a wide range of ages because of their easily accessible language and themes. I’m interested in YA novels still as I think it will help me in my career as a teacher but also because of those themes that are always applicable to my life.

Megan Moore

9/10/2022 08:25:16 am

Hi Mary, I enjoyed reading your post and I believe you have a really great insight into why it's important to read young adult literature. A former teacher of mine said that understanding what students enjoy is one of the best ways to relate to them, and I think reading current young adult lit is one of the ways to do so. As you said, these novels will likely help you in your career as a teacher.
You made a very interesting point when you said that young adult novels are the transition to "reading to learn" for many young people. The themes and lessons explored in these novels are valuable for young people to learn, even if they initially pick up the book for entertainment.

Alexa Delling

9/9/2022 03:51:50 pm

YA has become more important and prominent within my life since last semester when I took my first class with Torda which was YA Lit. I truly never categorized these types of stories as YA and once I finally pinpointed a genre I enjoy reading, I became so excited to actually be able to say I have a favorite genre. I have never been a book worm or someone who is excited to turn the next page of a book and when the YA gates opened for me it totally altered my enthusiasm towards reading in my free time and overall reading this genre. When reading YA, I am excited to turn the page and most times I do not want to put the book down. Within last semester, we had read You and Me at the End of the World and let me tell you Torda did not favor this rather mediocre, cringey book as I wish my eyes could have been opened up by something better, but I’ll take what I can get. Anyway, the youth involved within the story and the first-time interactions made me put myself in the characters shoes and remember that excitement teenagers hold for new encounters. I also enjoy being able to read about situations a high schooler may be going through and almost enjoy watching someone else go through something I may have been through in my real life. YA is extremely relatable and that might be what I enjoy most about this genre. I am an empath and relate so quickly and easily to people as well as characters as the YA genre lets the reader in which I ultimately, in a good way, get lost in.

Chloe Devine

9/9/2022 04:03:33 pm

Hi Alexa,
Thanks you for your thoughtful response. You can tell that you had a great experience in Professor Torda's class last semester, and I anticipate/hope that the positive experience that you went through is something that will happen to me. I seriously do enjoy reading, but I feel as though I am missing a genre that I really really love. I can pick up a book and say "yeah I liked this," but I don't gravitate towards one particular genre.
I appreciate how you mentioned how reading YA is both 1) nostalgic because you remember yourself at a younger age in the character's shoes and 2) you connect with these characters even more because of this. Once I get my feet wet in this course, I expect to have these same thoughts. I find it so valuable as a reader to have a character, situation, etc. that I can relate with so much. It turns the text from something I have to read for a class to a valuable text that keeps me want to keep turning the pages.

Chloe Devine

9/9/2022 03:55:16 pm

Like many of my other classmates, I have been an avid reader since I was very little. I read practically anything I could get my hands on, but one book I read over and over again was Little Women. But it wasn't the full version: it was a shorter version, maybe around 300 pages or so long. I still remember Amy, Beth, Jo, the boy next door, etc. It stuck with me for a while. When I saw that it was on our syllabus, a warm feeling of nostalgia came over me.
While I slowly shifted away from young adult literature for some time, I became more interested in the genre through one of my reading courses, "Children's Literature and the Reading Process." While I understand that children's literature and young adult literature are two different categories, it made me realize that we can learn so much through a wide range of literature "levels," even if you are an adult. Children's books can talk about big issues like social class, gender, self-image, etc., and YA literature and adult literature can talk about the simplicities of life. And in short, I hope that is what I will learn from this class. Why is studying young adult literature relevant, and why should we value the genre even if a lot of us are not young adults? What can we learn by studying these books?

Christina Lynne Carter

9/10/2022 02:56:47 pm

Hi Chloe, it's great that you mention how much we can learn from all genres and 'reading levels' of literature. What I love to think about is how authors structure the big issue topics you mentioned for different ages. I enjoy that Young Adult Literature does not shy away from such topics, and doesn't present them in a patronizing or condescending way to the young audience. For this reason, I believe we can learn from studying and should value YA lit as you ask in your post.

Megan Moore

9/10/2022 08:19:21 am

I began reading young adult literature when I was still in elementary school, and my favorite series of all was the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. Eight-year-old me enjoyed how much could be packed into one novel. I loved meeting many different characters, reading all of the action scenes, and following a larger story over the course of several books. Young adult literature gave me the opportunity to read more complex books than were usually offered in my school library, and I loved it.
I continued reading young adult novels throughout middle and high school. As I got older, I found myself able to see the concepts I learned in my English classes reflected in the books I read in my spare time. Having that lightbulb moment when I finally understood the symbolism of the mockingbird pin in "The Hunger Games" was an accomplishment for eighth-grade Megan.
As I'm now older than the target audience of young adult literature, I find myself turning to these novels less and less. The stories and lessons explored in these books are still valuable, but I find myself unable to relate to the protagonists like I did as a teenager. I believe that young adult literature is important to read and study (especially for tweens and teenagers) as it breaks down larger life lessons into stories that they can resonate with. I look forward to exploring young adult literature through a more analytical lens in this course.

Chloe Tavernier

9/10/2022 11:33:16 am

Hi Megan,
I also share similar sentiments about novels! That is exactly what amazes me about novels. The amount of lore, scenarios, and emotions that can be so delicately crafted and lovingly packed into a single book. The amount of passion that authors put into their written creations is practically palpable. It’s even more impressive when it is only a small fraction of a series that spans several books. While not technically YA, a fantastic book series that spanned over fifteen volumes that I spent a good portion of my childhood reading and obsessing over was, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole by Kathryn Lasky. Even though it skews towards a younger audience, I believe it tackles topics of a mature nature akin to similar formats present within the YA genre. I also agree that as you get older and advance in your academic journey, you are able to recognize previously unfamiliar topics and concepts from past readings, thereby enhancing your appreciation and adoration for them. In regards to your final statement, depending on the material, relatability can certainly be a significant facet but lately I find that when I’m deciding on which YA to read next, I find myself seeking the intrigue of a compelling and evocative narrative more.

Megan Moore

9/12/2022 05:01:52 am

Hi Chloe, I know we're not required to respond to the responses we receive, but I thought you brought up an interesting point about middle grade versus young adult literature. While some may consider the series you mentioned to be middle grade literature, and therefore less sophisticated that young adult lit, I don't believe that to be true. I think that middle grade novels can be just as insightful and significant as many young adult novels. I hope we can explore this idea a bit throughout the semester.

Nicole Shepard

9/12/2022 11:15:25 am

Hi Megan!
Just like you, I began reading YA literature very early on in my life. I think I was in fourth or fifth grade when I was finally able to begin reading young adult books. I was definitely at a higher reading level than some of my other classmates so I always looked forward to going to the public library in my town to check out books. I would make my mom take me at least once a week, maybe more, and would leave with a pile of books every time! Even though I have moved on to more adult based books, I will still pick up a YA book every once in a while. I think that just goes to show you how valuable these books are for people of all ages. Expanding on your comment about how you turn to YA books less and less, I definitely understand where you are coming from. Years ago, the lessons in these books were valuable to the stage of life I was in, but I think I really related to them because I was at a similar age as the characters in the story. Now, I will occasionally come across a YA book that sounds like it has a good plot, but it is too immature for me. I find books like these hard to get through. I would much rather spend my time reading an adult book, where I can relate to the plot and the characters!

Christina Lynne Carter

9/10/2022 02:52:24 pm

My personal favorite Young Adult Literature writer used to be John Green. Throughout middle and high school, I had my nose constantly stuck in one of his books. The two I read most often were The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. His books are what really prompted me to switch from writing poetry to more stories myself. This allowed me to find my passion in writing and develop my style more fully. As a reader, I was immersed in stories which took me away from my own life and allowed me to dive into deep, rich characters and worlds. His novels had a major influence on me, and sometimes I still return to reading them from time to time. Additionally, a book I discovered on the internet in high school called The Song of Achilles also stuck with me. I had a pdf copy of it on my laptop but lost it and subsequently nearly forgot about the novel until 2020. I was immediately reminded of the countless hours I spent reading it. I went and bought a copy, and it became my devoted beach book for two summers in a row. I could read that novel again and again and never get tired of it. As someone who aspires to be a writer as part of my career, I want to take the impact that the author Madeline Miller had on me and create that feeling with my own stories.

Patricia Diaz

9/10/2022 04:51:42 pm

Hi Christina!
Thank you for sharing your personal experience reading these texts with all of us!

I love how you were saying that these books would take you away from your own life. I think that the beauty of Young Adult Literature and Literature is to transport people to another reality where you can learn more about a certain topic whether that means learning more about Greek Gods like in Percy Jackson or Magic like in Harry Potter. Some of these stories hit close to the heart because people sometimes can identify with the struggles of the characters or because they learn from a magical world different from theirs.

I am excited to learn with you many things in this course!

Patricia Diaz

9/10/2022 04:35:51 pm

I have been reading Young Adult books for years, but some of my favorite ones have been The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill a Mockingbird and Harry Potter. Each book meant a lot to me because I read them during a period of my life when I turned to them for comfort. For instance, when I was a teenager and I was trying to navigate how to find my voice and be myself, reading books like the ones above helped me find the courage I needed to fight for what is right and see the beauty of life like Atticus Finch and Anne Frank did.

Although the main ideas of these three books differ from each other, I was still able to find comfort in all three while reading them. Reading these books transported me into another world where I was able to learn more about the world around me, especially from topics that I either was not much knowledgeable of or have not experienced myself before. For instance, the way I was able to learn more about the Holocaust by reading Anne Frank’s book.

These books gave me the ability to expand my knowledge as a human, to think about issues that maybe are shared by everyone or perhaps are mostly experienced by particular groups, and to think about how as a student and as a person, I could maybe produce a literary piece as magical, every single time I grab my pen, as J.K. Rowling did.

Megan Keller

9/11/2022 11:35:31 am

When I think of Young Adult Literature, my mind immediately goes to some very influential books in my personal opinion. One of my favorites of all time has to be Wonder. When I heard the rumors about this book, my thoughts were that it was childish and a bit of an immature book for a person my age to read. After reading it, this once "childish" book happened to be very influential and life changing. As I reflect on other classes that I took in which we studied humanity, I saw how reflective this book was to our society. This book teaches that even though you are different or perceived as different, you might not be. Fitting in is extremely difficult so having this book as a reflection on my own personal life is amazing and life changing in a way. I think of this book as a young adult literature that really shaped me as a person and I feel it shaped me as a student as well. Perfection is something I struggle with, and this book taught me that being perfect is not all that life is about. In reality, you will never be perfect and that's okay. I use this now reflecting on my academic goals and I feel I was taught a lot from this book as well as many other young adult literature.

Catie Mullen

9/11/2022 12:05:21 pm

Personally, I have always enjoyed reading books labeled as YA. Reading has always been a big interest of mine and one I have enjoyed ever since I was little. My favorite class when I was younger was Library because we got to go pick out a book for pleasure to read while documenting it in our reading logs. My favorite class in high school was English and it was because of the teacher I had and the book we read: "The Catcher in the Rye" that made me realize how much I enjoy literature. Now, ever since then, I have enjoyed reading books, especially YA books. These books are the most interesting and the ones I can relate most to as a 21 year old college student. Some books that are labeled "YA" that I have read are: "The Summer I turned Pretty," "Where the Crawdads Sing," "The Giver," "The Fault in our Stars," "Looking for Alaska," "Everything Everything," and much more. One thing that a lot of these books have in common is that they were turned into movies or TV shows. I enjoy how many YA books do that because then it brings the story you read to life. YA books are a way to escape into a new reality for a bit of time; a way to envision someone else's life. These books shaped me as a reader because I truly enjoy reading a really good book and getting lost in it. It has shaped me as a writer, especially in my fiction writing classes at BSU, because I could think out of the box and write stories that related to my classmates. I really love writing romantic stories, most likely because those are my favorite stories to read also. YA books are so special because of the detailed and intricate conversations that can stem from them. These books open up a vast amount of opportunities for conversation on topics that deserved to be talked out. YA is a building block to the beginning of a new lesson and a new discussion.

Jessica Sweeney

9/15/2022 05:35:46 pm

Hi Catie! I like that you bring up the conversations that can come from YA novels. I feel like these books can be so powerful because they allow people a way to open up about difficult conversations or topics (love, relationships, grief, coming of age in general). It's important to give young readers an outlet and way to navigate these difficult topics.

Jessica Sweeney

9/11/2022 12:18:05 pm

The first series I remember reading for pleasure as a child was the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. The books were accessible, there were pictures and humor that made the reading enjoyable. The books were not sophisticated or profound, but they didn’t need to be. I was still a child who was choosing to spend my time reading, that makes those books pretty powerful if you ask me. Reading YA books in my earlier years taught me the tools of reading I would have otherwise not picked up on when interacting with less accessible text. Naturally, the more I read, the more I picked on themes and messages that books could convey. I would predict plot lines and search for tropes before I even knew what those terms were. There was great value in seeing characters similar to me navigate coming of age. Beyond just that, I learned what literature itself had to offer. Of course we are taught lessons and shown humanity within books, which we can all benefit from. But I also learned that text can create meaning in real life. It is a tool for learning and communicating which are some of the most important skills to have. Literacy is profound and should be accessible, YA helps to accomplish this. Like I said before YA books get young people reading which is the first and most important step to accessing some of the most important skills someone can have. And this is not to say YA literature is only preliminary. This genre houses sophisticated and complex themes, powerful symbolism, and deeply human characters, all of which make for amazing conversation and analysis. To feel represented and seen in a text makes readers, especially young ones, more involved in the process and more eager to learn these skills. It is one of the most important genres we have.

Katie

9/11/2022 12:42:33 pm

Hi Jessica,

I thought what you said about young adult literature was really insightful. As someone who also read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, I agree that it is a testament to the books for even making children want to pick it up in the first place. I remember sitting in the shopping cart reading those books while my mom pushed me around and would ask her to buy me the next in the series since they were always available at the store. Those books taught children lessons, while also being sometimes wildly relatable. Books like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series are important to have to get young children interested in reading.

Katie Rodrigues

9/11/2022 12:25:31 pm

Thoroughout the years I have always enjoyed reading young adult novels. I enjoy reading often now, but when I was younger I would go through phases where sometimes I wouldn’t touch a book for three months, and then for the next three months I wouldn’t be able to put a book down. One genre that I would always go back to is the YA genre. I have always been a fan of the Twilight movies since I was young and I recently wanted to watch them again over the summer. I saw the whole series when I was thrift shopping and decided to buy the a books since I had never read them before. I told myself that if I wanted to watch the movies I had to read the books first. So I would read a book then watch the corresponding movie. I read all five lengthy books in three weeks. It gave me such a deeper understanding of the movies. It really develops the plots and relationships that could not be developed in a two hour film. I never usually enjoyed reading books that were turned into movies, but Twilight books changed my perspective. They also brought me back to high school and gave me a feeling of nostalgia. YA literature is important because it exposes teens to people that they can relate too, but can also introduce them to people that they might not have come across in real life. By reading about various topics, relationships, and people, teens can learn to be more accepting and understanding and form their own opinions.

Allie Gallahue

9/11/2022 07:16:35 pm

I have always loved reading young adult novels, as it is my comfort genre. I love reading about ideas and people that I can relate to, and many characters from these novels and the experiences that they have feel real to me in a way that other genres do not. Of course there are some YA novels, such as the Harry Potter series, that upon first glance do not appear relatable. There aren't many people out there who can relate to the idea of being a wizard and facing the challenges that the characters in those stories must face. However, beyond the surface you will encounter many ideas about friendship and its importance. Without going into too much detail, it is obvious to all who have read the series that Harry would not have been able to manage all of the problems he encountered without the help of Ron and Hermione. This concept, to me, expressed the idea that we should not take our friendships for granted, because we need these types of relationships to help us push through our struggles. This is just one of many examples that come to mind when I think about the importance of underlying themes in both the Harry Potter series and YA novels in general, and I believe that it proves that even the most seemingly unrealisitc stories are easy to relate to and therefore are an important part of our education. The first YA novel that I remember reading was "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green. Although I have never had to experience a life changing sickness like the one in this book either myself or through someone I love, I still find myself relating to and enjoying the story to this day. One of my main takeaways from this novel is that life can be unfair and unpredictable, so we need to do what makes us happy and spend time with those we love because the only thing we can be sure of is what we have right now. This, to me, is advice for everyone, not just for someone experiencing what the characters have been through. There are so many examples of themes like these in YA literature, and that is why I have always had such a wonderful relationship with the genre.

Linnea Fawkes

9/12/2022 07:52:30 am

I have always been an avid reader since I was in elementary school, so I have read countless YA books up until now. I was always the student in middle school that had several books in my backpack and would always read in my free time. Middle school was when reading became more than just stories to me, it became an escape into a fantasy world, where I saw myself within the characters and thoroughly enjoyed pretending I was somewhere else. I would read books within a day and found myself loving numerous book series. I remember reading all of the “Harry Potter” series, “Divergent” series, “Twilight” series, “Hunger Games” series, and lots of John Green books. I am proud to say that I have many full bookshelves in my room at home where I still have all of the books I read in middle and high school, along with the books I read now. I think that reading at that age was so crucial in trying to find an identity for myself at that awkward stage for every teenager and it allowed me to also have an escape from all of the things going on in school and personal life.My dad and I would go to many local libraries, where I would check out many YA books and we would always go to the local bookstore as well. My dad and I still like to do this whenever we can together and he always encouraged me to read as many books as I wanted. I think that many young teenagers today need to read books that bring up current events, realistic family/life issues, realistic and historical fiction, as well as fantasy. I truly believe that it would be so beneficial to them and would allow them to figure out what type of material they like to read. I learned so many life lessons and key takeaways from reading various YA books and I know that everyone can as well.

Olivia Mattson

9/12/2022 08:43:45 am

My dad and I bond over reading as well! His favorite author has always been James Patterson, literally just him. He hasn't read any other book by any other author. Seeing him read all the time growing up got me very interested in reading as well. He took me to the local library and got me a card, and from then on, I was an avid reader. It goes to show that reading can bring people together. I agree that more teens should be reading. You can learn so much!

Olivia Mattson

9/12/2022 08:39:22 am

I have read a good amount of books this past year. I believe that to keep our brain alert, we need to use it as much as possible. I like to read because it keeps my brain working and keeps me off of my phone or the tv. I love mystery books and thrillers because it keeps you engaged and guessing. Even as a kid, I read mystery books, and I was the type of kid that would get told to put my book away during class. All my reads have been young adult literature, and I have a few favorite authors like Colleen Hoover and Taylor Jenkins Reid. I go through phases and often get “book hangovers,” as some call it, where after I finish a book, it’s really hard to pick the next one up. I try and have a book lined up for when I finish my current read, but one thing I like to do right after I finish a book is to see what others think. I like to go on the app “Tik Tok” and see what people are saying about the book I finished. I love seeing other people's interpretations of different books. I also love sharing my books with friends and family. If I love a book, I always recommend it to a friend, and after they read it, we talk about it and visa versa. Books open up great conversations as well. My friend group likes different genres of books, and it makes for conversations about what we just read. We challenge each other to read different genres and broaden our horizons.

Linnea Fawkes

9/13/2022 08:28:36 am

Hi Olivia,

I absolutely love the Colleen Hoover books and I have just finished two of them recently! I agree that reading distracts us from what's going on in the outside world and allows us to not be able to put it down at times! I have never experienced a "book hangover", but I love that you call it that!

Nicole Shepard

9/12/2022 10:31:26 am

As someone who has been reading books for most of their life, I feel like I have a decent experience and understanding of YA books. I grew up with my parents reading children’s stories to me before transitioning to reading small chapter books myself and so on until I was mature enough and had the comprehension to read YA books. The beginning of my YA reading journey probably began around fourth or fifth grade. When I hear and think of Young Adult books, some of the most popular ones that come to mind are the Hunger Games series and the Divergent series as well as stand-alone books such as The Fault in our Stars, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Everything Everything, and any book by author Sarah Dessen. While this is nowhere near a complete list of books that would be classified as Young Adult, these are some of the books that truly began my YA reading experience and shaped who I am as a reader and human. I am particularly drawn to the romance and friendship sections of YA reading. The messages portrayed in these books, such as always be true to yourself and find what you are passionate about, have really helped shape me into who I am today. Whenever I used to read YA books, and even when I read the occasional young adult book today, I always picture myself as the main character of the novel. This teaches me to view the world as that specific character does and embrace those experiences and/or challenges into my own life. What I love most about YA books, and honestly reading in general, is how the author is able to include so much detail that the story comes to life right off the pages. Authors have so much power in the world that it can be hard to understand the enormity of their influence on readers.

Linnea Fawkes

9/13/2022 08:17:02 am

Hi Nicole,

I have read all of the books that you have listed, they are all great! In my post, I also wrote about how I see myself within the characters as well, I think it's pretty incredibly that these books can do that to us! I truly agree that authors have so much power and influence over people, especially young adults.

Allison Raposo

9/13/2022 10:04:37 am

Hi Nicole,
I think your point about authors having so much power that it can be hard to understand the enormity of their influence on readers is so accurate. I also think that author's help shape the identities of their readers in ways that they do not understand.

Sam Isom

9/13/2022 06:44:23 am

I have been a fan of reading for about my entire life, so I have come across a lot of YA literature. Mostly what comes to mind first is the criticism that is so common toward the genre, a lot of "stigma" almost for being considered less than other literature. It's clearly just because the genre is associated with young people, women in particular. There's no way to generalize an entire genre, some YA novels really can be so immersive and amazing. Others are hot garbage, just like you find once in a while within any genre. My criteria for enjoying something is just, "Do I enjoy this?", so my experience reading throughout my life has been a very 'safe' place for myself free of judgement.

Allison Raposo

9/13/2022 09:44:27 am

I am a very big fan of young adult literature, and have always enjoyed reading since a young age. I enjoyed the Nancy Drew chapter books as a kid and my love for mysteries and thrillers had began. I also read the entire Selection series in middle school, along with the Magic Tree House and several others. I currently am a big fan of Susan Mallery and Jhumpa Lahiri, and I think that it is important for young adults to read these types of literature because it gives them something to relate too. I think it is critical that young adults have these outlets to help find themselves as they navigate through life. As young readers we are able to put ourselves in the shoes of the main characters as they face similar life challenges that we do. This type of literature is often criticized and not considered educational, however it provides the reader with problem solving skills along with valuable life skills.

Lucienne Quirk

9/13/2022 06:02:54 pm

I was not as into YA novels as I feel like I should be for a future English teacher! I’ll be real– when I was in middle in highschool, I was way too concerned about being the “substream” kid and avoided popular books all the time, I never read The Fault in Our Stars, the Hunger Games, and similar stuff. I thought, “I’m above that!”. When I did read YA, it was Eleanor and Park, books by Rainbow Rowell, and lesser known things I would find in my public library– btu I really didn’t read all that much. Looking back I kind of regret that. I didn’t let myself just have fun with literature; I judged myself and others for what I thought of as a more childish genre. What did I know? Now that I’m in college, I’m open to reading all kinds of things– my senior seminar is about graphic novels, for instance! And there’s so much fun in YA– so many possibilities– that I’m glad that I can start looking into it now, if not years and years before.

What is your reading experience with YA?

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