Chapter Four: What is YA Literature?

Chapter Four. What is YA literature? 

1. It involves a youthful protagonist

Because what is a fun, interesting book for a youth where the protagonist is an old foggy, huh?

2. It uses a point of view which presents an adolescent’s interpretation of the events.

This allows the reader to feel connected to the character and the point of view from which the story is told.

3. It has directness of exposition and direct confrontation.

Drama!

4. It involves a significant change in the life of the main character(s)

Character evolvement. Becoming of age. Finding one’s own identity! All jackpots to the interest of our youth.

5. It shows a highly independent protagonist

A hero/heroine in their own way.

6. It shows gradual and incremental change as well as incomplete growth in the main character(s)

Character change can be tracked and easily detected character (human) flaws, which perhaps can be connected to the reader.

7. It mirrors concerns over contemporary issues

Topics of interest are high and common. Sex, drugs (perhaps), bullying, feelings of inadequacy, etc.

8. It has a main character who reaps the consequences of decisions and action

Not necessarily a happy ending, or where the consequences of mistakes go away. Consequences are made real and characters are responsible for them.

9. Brief time period, limited setting, few fully developed characters may be part of the structural convention.

Doesn’t bore the reader with years and years of nothing or of little action. Fast paced, and realistic!

10.  It draws upon a sense of how adolescents develop.

Realistic and time/age appropriate.