In Defence of Young Adult Novels
To begin, I would like to acknowledge that I personally dislike young adult novels. However, that does not mean I choose to actively judge those who read YA novels; young adult novels are simply not something I would pick up by choice. Inevitably, there are many awful YA novels; that’s something that rings true for practically any genre. However, in the case of YA novels, many people often highlight the worst within the genre by excessively criticizing and expressing that it doesn’t classify as “real” literature. This complete dismissal and critical onslaught fails to shed light on the virtues of the genre. In fact, young adult novels stand out amongst other genres; they are widely accessible to all ages and oftentimes feature relatable characters who appeal to the masses.
The main criticism against young adult novels is that they are non-literary, implying they are too easy to read and write. Due to their simplicity and tendency to lean towards cliche plots and character choices, they are oftentimes viewed as undeserving of being in the same category as a work of Shakespeare. But, if we are to determine the value of entire genres then we must first ask: what makes a book good? Is the value of a book solely based on literary perfection? Although YA novels may not be the top tier of literary work, the genre speaks to the middle and high school demographic like no other. Many characters and settings found in the genre reflect the demographic’s own experiences and characteristics. It reflects not only the world in which teenagers live in but also the issues that they struggle with. That is something most classics fall short of accomplishing. Every literary genre has its own purpose and its own value; classics are to be studied and displayed. That said, YA novels open the world of reading up to a younger demographic.
The majority of titles in this genre are written and read by females. The importance of the genre specifically for teenage girls should not be underestimated. One of the significant accomplishments of these novels is bestowing teenage girls with incredibly strong role models such as Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. It could be argued that - since most of these role models live in a dystopian setting and have to save the world - it could be quite a lot of pressure for a thirteen-year-old who is still struggling with time management. While that is true, there is so much more to these characters beyond their fanatical endeavours. They struggle with character flaws such as shyness, temper, or impulsiveness. They embody the fact that we all have faults, but we can still be the heroes of our own stories. Naturally, this also applies to male teenagers. For example, in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, the main character finds out that he is the “chosen one”. Despite him realizing his ordinariness, he embarks on a pursuit to defeat Lord Voldemort. The reader is left with a wonderful message: anyone can be special, and there is no innate quality that makes someone the so-called “chosen one”. This is an extremely important lesson to learn, especially for a young adult who is constantly confused about his or her identity in society. YA novels help teenagers to understand what differentiates an individual from the rest of the world.
Young adult literature is not without fault; however, the level of critique it receives is not on par with its actual quality. This notion of them being unrealistic might, perhaps, be their biggest strength. The idea that the virtuous character wins in the end is profoundly and foolishly optimistic. Ultimately, young adult novels are constantly reaffirming that even when all hope is lost, there will always be a book to turn to.
Citations:
Bhramasandra, K. (2020, February 21). A Defense of the Young Adult Novel and Escapist Literature. Retrieved from https://studybreaks.com/culture/reads/defense-of-young-adult-novels/
Eley, A. (2014, December 27). In defence of young adult fiction. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30496054
Smith, L. (2016, February 12). In defense of young adult literature. Retrieved from https://www.thealabamian.com/in-defense-of-young-adult-literature/
