Video: History of YA Lit
CNN: A Brief History of YA Lit
Why are so many adults reading YA and teen fiction?
The Atlantic: How Young Adult Fiction Came of Age
Why is YA Lit so popular...is this good or bad? Is YA Lit for everyone? Why do you read YA Lit?9/8/2017 Read the following articles by following the links provided below and post a minimum 50 word response to the questions above. Please read and reply to at least one other person's response. This is a required assignment worth 10 points. Video: History of YA Lit CNN: A Brief History of YA Lit Why are so many adults reading YA and teen fiction? The Atlantic: How Young Adult Fiction Came of Age
63 Comments
Joseph D.
12/7/2015 10:46:16 am
I have mixed feelings about the popularity of Young Adult Lit. While it is good that it transends age groups, I think it also speaks to the fact that there is a shortage of good stories in regular literature. I am not saying YA Lit is not a valid literary choice, but simply that the focus put on it often forces other types of literature out into the cold.
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George Ebeling
12/9/2015 11:31:59 am
Joe, I disagree that there is a lack of good stories in regular literature. Firstly, not all literature is meant to tell an entertaining story. I understand that popular works of writing are often of a relatable story, but there are many popular books with uncomfortable complex stories with powerful, hard to understand diction. Also, some books were written with the sole purpose of recording an event. Such as the biography of John Adams. He lived the life of a founding father, but acted more like a celebrity. His actions would probably be highlighted and criticized in magazines such as People, if he were to have lived in modern times. This is an example of how a book can be of literature that may be considered to be 'regular,' but still be entertaining.
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Isabella Reister
12/7/2015 10:59:23 am
I think that it's a bad thing that YA Lit books are being read by everyone. By everyone I mean literally everyone. I don't think it's a bad thing if teens and adults read these book, not by a longshot. YA Lit books are relatable to most everyone and that's why they appeal to such a wide range of people. However I don't think that little kids should be reading these books. I feel that when a younger person reads a YA Lit book that was meant for teens and older they could get, in a sense, hurt. I know that personally I would be mortified if my younger brother decided to pick up "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and started reading it. I feel that most every YA Lit book could leave a bad impression on someone's life. Say that a younger kid read a book similar to "Looking For Alaska." They then go on in life and decide to start drinking and assume it's okay, only because it was what a fictional character did in a book. This child had their life wrecked because they weren't reading the age appropriate book. Thus why I believe that YA Lit books aren't for everyone.
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Cameron Proper
9/11/2017 08:22:10 pm
Isabella, I agree with your opinion. At the same time, I believe that by reading the right YA Lit book, a younger person could actually learn a bigger lesson about life. By reading certain books they could learn so many different life lessons that they might have had to go through alone. But by reading said book, they might have a general sense of how to go about a certain situation in life.
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George
12/9/2015 11:08:14 am
Young Adult Lit (YA Lit) book have become increasingly popular throughout the past decade. This expansive growth in a new genre is the hip trend currently. However, I fear that this isn't only because this genre is supported and appreciated by so many readers. Marketing experts have been advertising to young adults for decades because of the amount of spending money that is available for each teenager, and also because of their ability to sway parents to purchase items. This increase in popularity for YA Lit is good. Many authors originally write YA Lit books because they are simply fun to work on, but the temptation to write more YA Lit books can be powerful enough to encourage greed among authors.
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Megan DeYoung
9/13/2016 05:28:41 am
Reading is good in general, so what does it matter the age group that is reading from a certain category? If a child is reading a book from a young adult category it shouldn't be a problem. The child is going to be exposed to something they might read in the book later on anyways, it's better for them to discover it through reading on their own merit rather than discovering it at the "appropriate age." It's good for any group of people to be reading books even from the young adult section, just to educate themselves and getting a view on life which is what most young adult books provide. This view that the books provide is a reason it's popular, people like books they can relate too but also books that can make them think about things differently and both these things come from reading young adult books. This is why people enjoy reading them so much and why they're so popular. Young adult lit might not be for everyone but for whoever feels the need to read it, they should.
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Sarah Koning
9/13/2016 05:40:41 am
I don't have a problem with YA Lit books being read by both young adults and adults. I would have a problem with young children reading this genre of books. YA Lit deals with very mature topics and situations, and I would not ever feel comfortable letting a kid read something meant for young adults/adults. I understand why YA Lit books would be so popular for young adults because that genre deals with relatable topics that many teenagers deal with while growing up. Adults would also like YA Lit books as memories of the younger years of their lives, or sometimes the books could be read as an escape. Sometimes, it is nice to unconnect from reality and just read a good book. It doesn't matter if you are a "Young Adult" or past the age of "Young Adult;" good books are good books.
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Sierra Visser
9/19/2016 05:24:21 am
I agree with you about young children reading YA lit books, but I do believe that it is up to the parents because everyone's reading level is different, and some parents may think that it is good to expose their kids to a particular subject earlier in life. I really like what you said about how adults may want to read YA lit books because it reminds them of when they were younger. I have never thought about that.
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Brooke Modderman
9/19/2016 05:32:44 am
Sarah, I also agree with you. I do not think it is appropriate for young children to read YA Lit books. There are some topics in YA Lit books that are too mature for the younger audience. Although, I do believe it is acceptable for adults to read YA Lit books. There are a lot of good books out there in that genre so why not have people read them that are mature enough for the content.
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Kelly Ortega
9/14/2016 11:55:50 am
I definitely think it is good for everyone to read YA Literature. They have become increasingly popular thorugh the last few decades. The reason for their growth can be accounted for the topics often displayed through YA literature. YA literature teaches readers about life. It includes mature topics which at everyone can relate to. YA lit is about relating to these mature topics which in the end helps gain popularity. Sometime younger readers may come across some topics that some may say are not adequate for their age, but I believe that exposure to these topics through books is the best formula for personal growth. This is why YA lit is good for everyone.
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Chase Hopwood
9/14/2016 12:04:16 pm
I totally agree with what you are saying here Kelly. I also belive that people need to experience these mature topics in order to grow. You make it so clear and understandable the way you put it.
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Chase Hopwood
9/14/2016 11:58:01 am
Yes i think it is very good that YA books are read by everyone because if they weren't read by so many people then authors wouldn't put so much time and effort into their amazing books. The genre is so popular because everyone can relate to the teen experience that is common in the genre's stories. I dont think that YA literature is for everyone because some people might not agree with the messages or like the stories YA lit produces (wouldn't want a bunch of triggered people reading these books).
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Kelly Ortega
9/14/2016 12:02:03 pm
Actually now that I think about it, I think you could be right. While YA lit should be good for everyone, it doesn't mean it is right for everyone. I think you're absolutely right when you say that some people will get triggered when facing certain topics in YA literature.
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9/19/2016 05:21:17 am
I do not have an opinion about adults reading YA lit books. I think if an adult wants to read a book that is considered YA lit, then they should. I do not think that books should only be meant for one age group. I think that some teenagers are at a higher reading level, so they should be able to read adult books. If an adult wants an easy read or if they have a lower reading level, then they should be able to read whatever they would like to. YA lit books are so popular because the books aren't the typical book to read. A lot of YA lit books are about dystopic societies and those book really grab the attention of all kinds of readers. I think that YA lit is for people who are able to handle the story lines. Not everyone can handle a book about killing other people or a romance. Kids also should not read YA lit books because some of the content of the books can be very sensitive. I do however, believe that it is a parent's call to whether or not a kid can read a book because everyone's reading level is different. Some kids may be ready to read YA lit books, while other kids are not.
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Jessica B.
9/19/2016 05:29:50 am
I agree that this genre could be for anyone. If a book grabs your attention, then read it. There's nothing stopping you from doing that. I also agree that mature people should read these books. Unless kids are ready to read them, then go ahead.
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Anthony Cross
9/8/2017 11:06:29 am
I Disagree with how an adult can read just any book. I feel that the YA lit genre is mainly focused on people from the ages 12 to 29. This makes it very connectable to even some of the older generations and if someone is connected to these books it makes sense picking it up and reading it. The topics these books portray are focused on that generation and the level of these books aren't focused on kids but most can relate very well with them. I feel kids should be able to read these books if they feel comfortable with the language and themes of them.
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Jessica B.
9/19/2016 05:26:57 am
I feel like YA lit can be read by anyone. My only concern would be if younger kids started reading these books. There are some parts in YA books that need to be handled by more mature people. I just don't think that kids would fit in that category quite yet. Anyways, Young Adult lit is a very popular genre. It's demand has been increasing over the years. I think that people read these books more often because they can relate to the topic better or even if its just more interesting. Dystopian and supernatural books get peoples minds to be more creative and it makes people think about what they are actually reading. In conclusion, anybody can read Young Adult books. There really is nothing that's going to stop you from reading a good book. These books can have the power to make you cry and make you feel happy. Even though everyother book can too, people just relate to this genre better. So I feel like it can be good to read these books, even though it may not be suitable for younger children.
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Maddie H.
9/19/2016 05:39:37 am
I think that people who feel they are ready to read YA books should. It doesn't really matter what age you are, as long as you feel you're ready for it. Some children have a higher reading level and are more mature than their peers, so I think that if they wanted to challenge themselves with a YA lit book they should. YA Lit is so popular because it deals with real problems that a lot of people face. It makes it easier for many readers to get into to it and enjoy the book. There's so many different Genres of YA Lit that anyone could find a book that they will enjoy and hopefully recommend to other people.YA Lit books can be very eye opening and helpful for many people to see the world in a new and different way. I think that everyone should get the chance to read YA books if they want to. If they're struggling with the same type of problem that is shown in the book, it may help them understand how they could overcome that problem or help them understand what certain affects their actions would have on people. So I really think that if you feel like you're ready to read YA books, then go ahead.
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Halle
9/8/2017 11:01:31 am
I think its completely understandable that kids who are ready to read higher reading levels should gladly read young adult literature. That is if they're ready for slightly more mature themes. I also agree that young adult literature is good for you if you enjoy reading peoples views and understanding their reasoning. Being a fly on the wall and getting to see how things go down, and their experiences. I definitely agree that being ready for young adult literature isnt only reading level, its the level of maturity.
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Brooke Modderman
9/19/2016 05:42:06 am
I believe that it is perfectly acceptable for anyone of the mature audience to read YA Lit. This includes young adults and adults. Good books, and well written books are there for anyone to read. Although, I don’t think it’s a good idea for young children to read YA Lit books that contain content for the mature audience. There are some young adult lit books that have extremely deep content that wouldn’t be appropriate for younger children. Also, YA Lit books are so popular because they can connect to a wide variety of people and ages. YA Lit books are very easy to connect with in some sort of way, so readers get hooked on them. In the YA Lit genre you can find a variety of topics including love, heroes, overcoming evil, death, and the future. YA Lit has become so popular because it connects to many different people.
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Geena B
9/8/2017 11:26:49 am
I agree with you that good books are there for everyone, but not young children, because some content isn't appropriate for them. I also agree that YA Lit books get readers hooked on them easily because they are very easy to connect with.
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9/8/2017 10:41:45 am
YA lit is so popular because more and more people started to get hooked to reading like the youth. According to this article I read on CNN news studies showed that more and more people 16 years old to 29 are buying more books and frequently going to local libraries more and more. I think that it is good that more youth are starting to read to get more information in there brains, and help them to realize how it can help them in later years. It depends if YA Lit is for everyone some people like to read, and some do not its the way they are. I read YA Lit because it gets me ready for later years of life. It also is a time to sit back and not be doing anything but reading about your favorite book topic.
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9/8/2017 10:47:00 am
YA lit is so popular because they allow us to escape reality. Many people read young adult books for that reason. Life can be stressful sometimes and most people would rather read about an epic adventure than become even more stressed by say... The news channel. Young adult readers read the books because they seem fun to read, with lots of plot points and action. Adults may read them for nostalgia, to remember what their lives may have been like when they were teens. Let's face it, adult life seems like it could be pretty boring at times, why not step out for a moment?
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Tayiah N
9/8/2017 10:58:25 am
I agree that reading a book of a genre you're interested is a lot easier to do rather than watching the news and stressing yourself out more.
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Tayiah N.
9/8/2017 10:52:32 am
I think that it is good that everyone reads young adult literature. There should not be a specific age range to who can and can not read it. However if it is a younger child that isn't ready for mature content then young adult literature isn't appropriate. On the other hand I don’t think anyone can be to old to read it since an adult can still understand what is happening in the book or the strong topics being cover unlike a younger aged person would. Young adult literature is popular because lots of teens and adults like to read and young adult lit is interesting and relatable for young adults and teens. For adults young adult lit can also be interesting but also nostalgic for them. I read young adult lit because it is easier to relate to and find an interest in over a book written for adults where I can’t relate as well.
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Jasmine C.
9/8/2017 11:01:38 am
I personally agree with the basis of what you are saying. I, too, believe that YA lit is not for everyone and should be strayed from as young children. I also agree that many find YA lit attractive, simply because they feel they can relate to the characters within their writing. Young adult literature is definitely a type of writing that many can relate to, as you said, and is why I agree with you on notion that ya lit is for almost everyone and should have no age limits, so long as the reader is mature enough for an older theme.
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Halle B
9/8/2017 10:53:12 am
The young adult literature industry is so popular because of the easy access and relatability of the books. I think it’s popular because children, teens, young adults, and adults can all relate to the genres and topics in their own unique ways. I think it’s a specifically popular industry for writers because of how big it is, but also because of how easily formulated the trends are. I think that the popularity to young adult literature has also caused a lot of problems for the industry. It’s very easy to pick out obnoxious tropes and pandering from the author. For me personally it’s extremely difficult to find an original without the excessive pandering. The industry of YA Lit is nice for young adults or teenagers looking for a book for entertainment and relatability, but it’s also a good industry for writers. Writers can easily pick up on the latest trends, tropes, and common themes in popular YA Lit books. Authors often pander to their audiences, using specific tropes such as “shy teen girl gets instantly famous” or “action girl is amazing just because she can fight.” I think that a lot of authors use these easy stereotypes to make an easy buck, which causes the young adult literature genre to be crowded with cash hungry books. On another topic, young adult literature is for anyone who is looking for entertainment. It’s not just for “young adults” younger children and teens may look towards young adult literature due to their higher reading level. On the opposite side, adults who have a lower reading level, but still enjoy reading can read young adult literature. YA Lit themes are not specific to one age group. Adults and children can feel conflictions on sexuality, individualism, and even drug abuse. Young adult literature books often deal with these types of topics and are meant for people dealing with these topics or are interested in them. I read young adult literature because I am interested in the ideas and problems of others and how they are presented/dealt with. I enjoy YA Lit because there are relatable topics and often topics that interest me. I enjoy reading of how the characters might deal with a dilemma and compare it to my thoughts of how to deal with it.
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Jasmine Cooper
9/8/2017 10:55:34 am
In a common notion, the general based targeted audience for books has/had always been adults, generally anyone over 24. When you take a group of young adults who are generally stereotyped into certain categories, then give them a sense of freedom and a way to experience adventures outside of their busy lives, it will obviously and automatically become a main attraction. Not only do these books offer experiences to young adults, they give another perspective on the world from someone else's point of view. Its a valuable thing to allow growing minds to flourish and learn valuable information or traits that can benefit them in the future, whether those benefits be attitude, intelligence or purely satisfaction, all are beneficial to a young person. Which is why they are, truly, so popular. Personally, I believe young adult literature being so popular is a great thing. Not only does it give others an opportunity to read, it inspires authors to write new pieces of writing for everyone to enjoy. The more readers that are attracted, the more likely we are to see wonderful pieces of writing, which any reader would enjoy. Though I do think young adult literature should be popular, and does deserve all the credit it's earned, it is certainly not for everyone. Young adults and adults are definitely the targeted audience and have every right to read these pieces, but those who are still maturing and young, should not take place in reading these pieces. To a certain degree, young readers can fit into some categories of YA Lit, but when we get into darker books, it's best to keep them sheltered a while longer, until they can handle the world of young adult lit and all it has to offer--Though that's only my opinion and everyone certainly doesn't have to abide by it. On another note, I personally enjoy reading young adult literature and always have been an avid reader/writer. I enjoy reading young adult literature simply because I feel more attracted to the writing styles and themes of these pieces of writing. Though It's not for everyone, I do believe that YA Lit is beneficiary to young adults and others as a whole.
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Kaylee VanHam
9/8/2017 11:17:33 am
I agree that young adults being stereotyped into categories is a huge contributing factor to why YA Lit is so popular. When we're constantly told that they are irresponsible and naive, it is intriguing to read stories where the teenagers are the heroes who save the world. YA Lit gives many teens a sense of new found confidence and security.
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Kaylee VanHam
9/8/2017 11:02:06 am
YA Literature is very popular because of the change of pace. Many adult books are based on events that happen in every day life all the time. On the other hand, plenty of YA Lit authors have developed stories that take place in fantasy worlds and dystopian futures. While adult books typically remind us of the stressful lives we live, some YA Lit books transport us into different worlds where we can escape from our busy lives. YA Lit books are also popular because of how relatable the struggles of the characters can be. While some people want to escape, others want assurance that they aren't alone or that someone else understands their problems. YA Lit focuses on very realistic hardships as to engage the reader even more.
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Kaylee VanHam
9/8/2017 11:11:40 am
I believe it is great that YA Lit is so popular because it shows that not everyone is perfect. It is comforting that so many other people want to read about imperfect worlds, and that others can relate to the problems of the characters. Though YA Lit is popular, it isn't for everyone. YA Lit tends to have a lot of action and fictional story lines. There are plenty of people who'd rather read more non-fiction stories. I read YA Lit because I find that I, like many others, can relate to many of the struggles of the characters. The books tend to give me a different perspective on my own life.
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Xavier Walser
9/11/2017 11:04:12 am
I agree with why YA lit is so popular. Peoples lives are imperfect so they want to see a character who doesnt have a perfect life. Though YA lit does contain action and fiction I feel like at one point everyone likes to have a bit of that in their lives. I read YA lit for similar reasons as well.
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Jessie Gerakinis
9/8/2017 11:18:00 am
Young adult literature is so popular because it’s simply relatable to its audience, but also provides an escape. Even though most of the Young Adult books are fictional, they focus on very real topics. A lot of the struggles that characters go through in these books, happen to us in our daily lives, it makes the audience feel like their troubles are normal. I think it’s fine for adults to be reading YA literature. In the past, books that are now considered young adult, were initially intended for adult audiences. So there shouldn’t be a certain age range for people to be reading this genre and adults shouldn’t be shamed for picking up those books.
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Emily D
9/11/2017 05:06:38 pm
I agree that YA Lit books focus on real topics, and that struggles that the characters go through is also something that we experience as well. I find it interesting that you would support having no specific age group selected for YA Lit books, since it was as you say, meant for adult audiences. Which I think is a very fair point.
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Geena B
9/8/2017 11:19:29 am
I think that young adult literature is so popular because a lot of people can relate to the story. They are also very entertaining and they can help you escape from a stressful life for a while. YA Lit books usually talk about mature topics that may be a little too much for younger kids, but good for young adults or adults to read about. I think that anyone who wants to read a YA Lit book should, even if they are past the young adult age, because it can help them understand more about today’s teen’s life and to remind them of their teenage years. Young adults can relate to the book and use it to escape. I like young adult literature because I find them more interesting and enjoy reading how the characters deal with their problems.
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Hope Bennink
9/10/2017 04:48:22 pm
I agree that YA lit. books are good for those past young adult age, to understand teenagers more and what goes on in their lives. Even if a specific book doesn't necessarily match up exactly with a particular teens life. I also agree that YA lit books are all a good read, and good books for when relating to the characters and the problems they go through.
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Hope Bennink
9/10/2017 04:44:46 pm
I'm sure that there are individuals out there out of the "young adult" age range that still thoroughly enjoy YA lit. I think because YA lit books are so relatable, that if someone not at that point in time, has once related to something in a YA lit. book. That's why I think it is so popular, because there's something in every book that anyone could relate too. Which is a good thing when you have a book that can be read by so many different types of individuals. Therefore I think everyone could find at least one book in YA lit that suits them. Which is why I read YA lit. because in every book I read I find something different in each book that I can relate too. Which makes it more enjoyable to read.
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Brianna B
9/11/2017 10:52:42 am
Young Adult literature has become and stayed so popular because of how relatable the books are to those reading them. I don’t think this is a bad thing, I mean yes, sometimes there are negative attitudes in the books, but I wouldn’t necessarily call them influences. I believe that for those who are dealing with the same thing as a character in the book, it can really help them to see how that character got through that particular time in their life. For those who maybe aren’t able to relate to the situation, I think it can be an eye opener to what it’s kind of like to go through that, whatever it is, and make those types of readers realize it’s not as rare as they may think. With that, I think YA literature being so popular is a good thing. I don’t think there should be a limit on who can read Young Adult books. Many people are worried about young kids reading them, but if they’re able to read these books they shouldn’t be kept from doing so. And on the other side of the spectrum, I believe it should be almost an open door for adults to read Young Adult Literature books. It may just be me, but I feel that the past few years many teenagers have faced obstacles that not so many adults faced when they were younger, whether that be depression, anxiety, going between parents, etc., or at least there is a higher percent of teens who deal with those situations; making it very beneficial for adults to read these books. I read YA literature because, just like many others, I can relate to some of the obstacles the characters face or how they feel about what’s going on in their life. Along with that, many of those books have very interesting plots to them, and it makes them really good.
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Rachel R.
9/11/2017 10:53:18 am
I believe it’s good that YA Lit is so popular. YA Lit has so many stories to tell and lessons to offer to everyone. YA Lit, I believe, is for anyone who chooses to read it. Yes, I understand that some parents don’t want their young children exposed to the “bad parts” of the world so young but they will be exposed to it at some point in life, it can’t be kept a secret for forever. I personally believe if younger children are exposed and read about these stories earlier on in life; they will have a better understanding of it all. So when the time comes that they have to make life decisions on what's right and what's wrong to deciding who they want to be one day, they have those different scenarios and background knowledge to compare their lives to. Of course there can be bad effects from reading these stories but that can happen to anyone at any age who decides to read them, not just children. YA Lit can also be a very relatable for some people and can possibly help them in that matter as well. I enjoy reading YA Lit because it is so interesting and eye opening to me personally, it helps me to keep an open mind and optimistic outlook on life as well as in many different situations I’ve encountered.
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Morgan C.
9/11/2017 11:12:01 am
I also agree with the thought that young people need to be exposed to a certain amount of things. In truth some of it might not be all too good for too young readers but it also explains the world through different points of view. It allows for understanding and connection especially for those who can agree on a certain point of view through a certain story or plot line. It brings people together.
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Xavier Walser
9/11/2017 11:00:35 am
I think young adult lit is so popular because of how relatable the characters are. I also think they are popular because of the situations the characters are in. Some are saving the world while others are just trying to stay happy in the world. Each experience is different but can be drawn to a similar experience someone has had. Everyone can say say that they have felt a way one of the characters is feeling. I think it is a good thing that these books are popular and why they are popular. It shows that people aren't afraid to look outside of their bubbles. I do think Young adult lit is for everyone. Anyone can relate one way or another to the situation or the character. I read young adult lit because I enjoy them more than any other type of book.
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Tyler Driesenga
9/12/2017 11:06:18 am
I agree with you about why young adult literature is so popular. I think its ability to relate and apply to people of all walks of lives is the reason for its success. I like your point that YA lit's popularity is a good thing because it allows for people to look outside of their bubbles, and I think that it helps give adults and young adults something to connect over.
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Morgan Carlson
9/11/2017 11:07:26 am
Young adult literature is so popular because it reflects everyday instances into a fictional setting. It allows someone to feel like they aren't the only ones going through a certain situation or it's a place where they can go to enjoy an adventure they themselves might not be able to go on. There is a certain setting where young adult literature isn't good, especially for preteens who might not have yet experienced what it means to be a young adult. It's nice though to go back through YA books when you're older. It lets people remember excitements and shows the world through different eyes, most of which people don't notice.
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Claire Emmert
9/12/2017 04:46:04 am
I agree with you, I think that people read YA Lit to relate to the stories. I also think that preteens shouldn't be exposed to certain books before they're ready and before they are old enough to understand.
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Megan Hirdes
9/11/2017 11:14:19 am
I believe that Young Adult Lit is so popular because the books that belong to this genre are so relatable. The authors of these books connect with readers on an emotion level using emotions like love, sadness, anger, and jealousy because these are very strong emotions emitted through teens and young adult. I do not believe that young children should be reading young adult lit books because some of the material requires a more mature audience. I read young adult lit mostly to look into another person or character's life and reflect on my own life.
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Abby DeSmith
9/11/2017 11:24:46 am
I agree with your statement about how younger children shouldn't be exposed to some of the themes in young adult literature books. Some young adult literature books talk about depression, anxiety, and other mental problems that kids shouldn't know about until they become young adults. Also with the fact that authors of young adult literature use a lot of emotions because you go threw so many as a young adult.
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Abby DeSmith
9/11/2017 11:16:48 am
I think young adult literature is so popular because everyone can relate to it in some way shape or form. Even adults can probably relate to something in a YA lit book from when they were teen and maybe had these problems when they were the age of the character in the book. I also young adult literature to connect with the characters and see that I am not the only one who is going through a certain situation. Another reason why I read it is to escape from my problems. I think that is why I love fantasy so much is because it lets me leave this world and travel into another, in my opinion, that usually sounds like a better situation than mine. I love to read about people who become more confident in their journey because these kind of stories make me feel more confident in myself.
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Megan Hirdes
9/11/2017 11:20:12 am
I agree with why you think YA lit is so popular and I agree with adults reading YA lit as well. I think that most adults have a lot to gain from reading YA lit because they can relate to the stories and see how they may have experienced similar situations in their lives.
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Emily D
9/11/2017 05:01:22 pm
I think that the answer to the question would vary between teens and adults. Most teens would agree that it's a good thing, because authors are constantly coming out with books that follow one of the cliche dynamics: A heroic protagonist that fights against all odds, or a girl from a small town who falls in love with the new "bad boy" at school. Those types of books are well and good, but they've become the reading world's "click bait", making it easier for today's YA Lit authors to make a profit. Hence today's most popular series, "Divergent", "The Hunger Games", etc. No, I'm not hating on these beloved books, I'm just blatantly stating the truth of the current YA Lit status. As for adults, some would disagree that it's a good thing that this genre of books is becoming so popular. Some adults think that they're a bit ridiculous or that they're distracting. That students should be reading academic books. Or maybe that's exactly why teenagers all over the world read this specific genre. Perhaps the fact that it distracts us from our stressful and chaotic lives is exactly what we love about them. To also relate to the protagonist and to laugh and cry with the characters as you read the book. Which is exactly why I think that even though YA Lit may not be for everyone, all teenagers should read at least one in their lives, just to get a taste of it. I don't think it's for everyone because obviously a forty-year-old isn't going to pick up a chick flick and begin to read it. I think the main reason anybody rejects a book is because they can't relate to it. Which is why YA Lit is obviously meant for teens. Which is one of the main reasons why I myself read this genre: So that I can relate on a personal level. It allows me to be immersed in a completely different world where you don't have to worry about your own struggles or hardships, but can be apart of something that lives only in your mind. Which ties into what I love most about reading. It's that it's all in your head. Nobody decides for you what exactly the characters look like, nobody decides exactly what the scenery or what the general objects look like. It relies entirely on your own imagination. And that I think is the beauty of reading as well. You're not only reading a story, but you're creating your own inside mind as well. And YA Lit tends to have the most creative types of stories, no matter what genre.
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Mikaila DeMyer
9/13/2017 10:52:19 am
I agree with you about pretty much everything you said. The beauty of any story is that you can personally tailor it to your preference, like what the characters look like or exactly what something looks like.
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Cameron Proper
9/11/2017 08:35:14 pm
I believe that the popularity of YA Lit is a very good thing. Many of the books I have read are YA Lit books. With characters in the books I read, I tend to share some of their traits, or some of their goals. I sometimes see myself in a character and sometimes I know how a character might be feeling because of what they are going through because I have gone through something very similar. Reading some of the YA Lit books, have helped me through out my life, not in the exact way that something may have happened in the book, but it gives me a sense of what I could do to get through a situation. I am almost 100% certain that I am not the only one who has read a book and took something out of that book that has helped them in life. I think it's phenomenal what an author can write that can help someone through something. Not only are YA books for teenagers, but they are also great for older adults. Many people who vary in age enjoy YA Lit.
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Alyssa Thomas
10/4/2017 02:14:50 pm
I agree with this statement. It really does relate to teens and their life.
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Claire Emmert
9/12/2017 04:40:35 am
I think YA Lit is so popular because teenagers who read the books can relate to them on some level. I think it’s good that YA Lit is so popular because the situations that the main character goes through is understood by at least some of the people reading it. YA Lit is not for everyone, some people don’t enjoy reading fiction and fantasy. I read YA Lit because I like to be able to relate to the characters and imagine myself in their place and think about what I would have done in their position.
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VALERIE ROSEMA
9/12/2017 10:56:04 am
I personally think YA Lit is so popular because it deals with a lot of coming-of-age themes that a lot of people can either relate or take something from. It’s a good thing because issues discussed in books can help give readers insight to their own. I think YA Lit is for anyone who is interested in those topics, everyone has different tastes. I read YA Lit because I find a lot of the stories relatable, but also because I like a lot of the topics discussed in YA Lit.
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Tyler Driesenga
9/12/2017 11:01:49 am
In my opinion, young adult literature is so popular because it is easy for people of all ages to relate with. For young people, the stories and themes can offer anything from simple entertainment to guidance through formative years. The genre also offers adults the ability to reflect on their own childhood and the paths they've chosen to take in life, as well as the paths ahead and what they will do next. Themes in young adult literature are applicable to everyone, not just young adults, and I think that is why it is popular among both adults and young adults. The popularity of young adult literature is a good thing because it often provides a sense of youthful innocence to the reader, a positive characteristic that is absent in many other genres, and its popularity can provide a common intellectual ground between adults and young adults.
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Mikaila DeMyer
9/13/2017 10:47:33 am
Young Adult literature is very popular for many reasons. A lot of people tend to relate to either the characters or the plot. This could help them with struggles in their own life, or just give them something to relate to. The plot might be what a teen is going through, or what an adult might've gone through at one point in their life. Other people might read YA Lit because it allows them to imagine they're in the world of the characters. It might be better than their lives, or it might be worse. It allows people to have empathy for each other and the characters. This will also help them create bonds with people in their own lives.
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Mr.S
9/13/2017 11:26:02 am
The beauty and power of literature in a nutshell..."allows people to have empathy for each other and the characters."
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Emma Hayes
9/13/2017 12:42:18 pm
I can understand the empathy aspect of it. A lot of the time I can relate to the characters in some way because I have seen a similar situation in my life or somebody I know. If not I put myself in their head as a young adult, thinking about the same things they are, and try to empathize with there story.
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Emma Hayes
9/13/2017 12:38:33 pm
Young Adult Literature is a very important to all literature. Its a gateway to all sub genres that kids can experience what they like while it still is relate able. Young Adult lit is for everyone at some point in there life but not always when you get older. Some people that read other things because they think YA Lit is boring and that just makes YA Lit more important because they can start somewhere with the most popular books that are usually in YA Literature. I read YA Lit because a lot of the time I can see myself at that age thinking the same things they are if I encountered the same situations.
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Chloe Williams
9/14/2017 09:48:35 am
I agree Young Adult Literature is a very important piece of all literature. Young adult literature is a way that all teens can read and have a way of relating to the book.
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Chloe Williams
9/14/2017 10:00:36 am
I love Young Adult literature because it makes me feel like I'm living in their own skin and living their life throughout the book; It's like a whole another universe. When things don't go the way we want them to or if we are struggling with every day issues there is usually a book that I can relate to. Young Adult literature also has history that can connect the past to the present. For example I'm reading "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" teenagers at some point in their life can relate to Charlie, he feels alone even though he is surrounded by people but he comes off as invisable.
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Alyssa Thomas
10/4/2017 02:13:46 pm
I think YA Lit is so popular is because of the age demographic. It is targeted towards teens and it includes relatable topics teens relate to. It makes teens who hate reading, begin to read. The YA Lit genre is growing and becoming more popular than it ever was before.
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Maddyson Brown
10/12/2017 10:52:20 am
I think YA Lit is so popular because it is relate able to a certain extent. People can connect easy to main charters and connect to the situation they are in. This is important to read when you are going through a rough time to feel like you aren't the only one that is in a certain situation and that no one understands.
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