"What YA Lit is and isn't" by Pearson

Reflection of the article: “What YA Lit is and isn’t” by Mary Pearson (September 10, 2009).

Subjects:  Young Adult Literature, Reading Choices,

            In this article Pearson reflects on people’s attitudes and expectations of young adult literature.  She wonders if those attitudes and expectations stem from people’s attitudes of teens in general.  She argues that people’s fear of the teen years has them wanting to rush past this important period of their lives and move on to becoming full adults (Pearson, 2009, para. 6).  Her observation disturbs me, because I feel that she is very likely correct.  This is the period in their lives where tweens and teens start becoming independent, discovering their sexuality, and developing personal morals and values (Facts for Families: Normal Adolescent Development Part 1).  From a concerned parent’s viewpoint, this can be a very nerve-racking time.  We shouldn’t let those nerves and fears drive us to extremes when trying to decide what is and isn’t appropriate for a teen.  We survived our teenage years.  They will too. 

            I personally love to read young adult literature.  I agree with Pearson that young adult literature is definitely not a lesser, watered-down version of adult literature (2009, para. 9).  The stories and characters are as varied as those found in adult literature.  In some cases I would say they are even more thought provoking. You can find books about vampires, genetics, the afterlife, homelessness, drug use, the rich, and much more.  Tweens and teens are experiencing so many different developmental transitions that effect them physically, mentally emotionally, and socially (Anderson, 2007; Lesesne, 2006).  These transitions which drive the teen experience provide writers with multiple fascinating possibilities with which they can develop their stories.     

            I agree with Pearson (2009) that sometimes we need to see our peers, our lives, or our thoughts, both dark and light, reflected in the pages of a book.  Teens and adults should be equally steered towards adult books and young adult books.  There are lessons and connections to be made by both age groups in both categories.  It bothers me sometimes the amount of importance we give on a label.  So what if an adult is reading a young adult book?  or a young adult an adult book?  Are they understanding it? Are they enjoying it?  What’s important is that we enjoy reading what we are reading and that we are able to take something away from a book even if its only enjoyment. 

Reference:

Anderson, S. (2007). Serving young teens and ‘tweens. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. 

Lesesne, T. (2006). Naked reading: Uncovering what tweens need to become lifelong readers. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.