Are you in a reading rut? Consider adding Young Adult classics to your must-read list.

In writing my first Young Adult novel, I began gathering information about the genre’s history and reading or re-reading 19th century classics.  What I discovered was a treasure trove of inspiring books that I’d adored as a child, and still enjoy rereading or sharing with my own children. Classics such as Black Beauty,  The Swiss Family Robinson, Little Women, Treasure Island, Heidi and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer make perfect bedtime stories.  They’re also ideal companions to any reader on cold winter’s evenings.  Hunker down with one of these classics and not only will you be transported to an exciting time period and setting, you may even rediscover your adolescence.  Experiencing a story through the eyes of a young character gives us a unique opportunity to return to our youth, recall how differently we viewed the world, and realize that life events really do shape who we are now.  These classics have stood the test of time and they’ve also paved the way toward a genre specifically designated to the young reader. 

After I’d read a sample of classics from the 19th century, I moved into the early 20th century. I re-read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The little Prince and Animal Farm. All of these classics I had read in high school, and to be honest I hadn’t enjoyed or understood them.  Especially Animal Farm. Rereading them was amazing because I finally grasped what the author’s were writing, i.e., the animals were NOT real and the Prince was just curious about life! And finally, I enjoyed A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because it was one of the first books telling a story through the eyes of a young immigrant arriving in America. It is beautifully written and perfectly describes her dramatic experiences.  This book is a predecessor to all the American Girl books found in YA sections today.

 In the late 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, the young adult genre was truly evolving into its own category.  As psychologists, social scientists, and other researchers were discovering more about the adolescent years, writers took note as well as readers (and publishers) and a whole new genre was born-both compelling and marketable. Whether they were called “coming of age” stories or “problem novels” there were numerous authors writing storylines consistent with the age and experience of their main characters.  Here are some of my favorites from this time period: The Catcher in the Rye, The Outsiders, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lord of the Flies, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Chocolate War, and Go Ask Alice.  These novels are some of the first to shed light on forbidden adolescent subjects such as drug use, bullying, sex, racial tensions and poverty.  Their eventual acceptance and appreciation by readers from around the world has made them classics and many of these young adult novels have been made into movies-which have also become “classic.”

Since the 70’s the young adult category has grown and expanded across all genres; science fiction, romance, crime, historical fiction, spy, or fantasy.  Today there is no shortage of impressive young adult books and many new classics are being awarded.  Thanks to J.K Rolling a resurgence in reading began in the 1990’s and continues despite the distractions from television, i-phones, computers and video games.  Harry Potter series aside, I’ve been captivated by the Hunger Games series, the Percy Jackson series (thanks to my daughter), The Giver and my all-time favorite, The Book Thief. I just love this book– the viewpoint alone makes it unique and memorable, but the story line, setting and characters came together to explode into a novel of magnificent proportions!  Yes, this is a good one. I’ve never read a novel, adult or young adult, with more powerful imagery.  It blew my mind.

Books can make a lasting impression on people as many have done for me over the years—and I never imagined that some of my favorites would be in the YA category.  I knew as a teenager that I could relate to the characters and problems.  I don’t think I could have survived puberty without Judy Blume, but I did not realize that this genre crosses and intersects with adult fiction as well.  Young adult books involve complex, multilayered characters, and the perspective is fresh and distinctive.  Don’t miss out on some of the most challenging, sensational and well-written novels in the YA category.  Whether they are old classics or new releases this genre has become one of the most widely read and adored categories of novels.

Happy reading!