It could be that teens are more “A” than “Y.” They think and often speak more like adults than stereotypical teens, and a standout YA novel gives them a more profound voice and room to swerve in their decision-making. They don’t want trite “clean-ups” in novels. What many teens seek in YA novels are edgy topics – controversial ones such as self injury, depression, sexuality, grief, traumatic events – without the typical After School Special lessons of old, without PSAs such as: “Kids, if you’re depressed, talk to a parent, teacher or school counselor, and it will all be OK.” If there’s a “The More You Know” segment on TV, most teens roll their eyes. That ship hasn’t yet sailed, but it is by no means the only ship in the harbor. Despite what you see in bookstores, YA novels are not all teen paranormal romances and clever or not-so-clever twists on Twilight.
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