As young adult literature becomes increasingly popular, the genre expands and changes along with the change in readers. Melanie D. Koss and William H. Teale examine what trends and characteristics are present in YA literature by conducting studies using over 50 books and sharing their conclusions in \u201cWhat\u2019s Happening in YA Literature? Trends in Books for Adolescents.\u201d One of the first points mentioned in the article is the increase in maturity in YA novels as the number of readers increases. Koss and Teale\u2019s research reveals that the majority of YA novels now involve a plot concerning the idea of a typical teenage life.\u00a0 Later the article mentions the importance of media and technology in a teen\u2019s life and notes that, \u201cMore than ever before, teens are bombarded with information on what\u2019s hot, what\u2019s not, and what it means to be cool. Along with the rise of television and new media specifically directed at teens (including teen dramas and constant exposure to the lifestyles of the rich and famous) come more examples of teen lives and products. Teens today need to discover who they are in relation to these new media\u2014 do they accept them or reject them? As their lives become more complicated, so too does the literature written for them that reflects their lives\u201d (Koss, 569). This is what makes YA literature so relatable and attractive to readers. It has evolved to address more sensitive and mature topics, as teenagers have become so easily exposed to information that they weren\u2019t before. Young adult fiction now allows them to question what they are told through characters experiences. The Fault in Our Stars is a perfect example of this, as it gives readers an insight to the life and relationships of a cancer patient. It is realistic fiction, as many young adult readers today are impacted by cancer or a severe illness in some way. It allows readers to experience the novel on different levels, from simply watching two teenagers falling in love to dealing with the loss of a loved one. Experiencing this in a novel is drastically different than seeing it on a television show or being told what to think about it. The Fault in Our Stars gives the reader a genuine understanding of the situation. As media becomes such a crucial aspect of our lives, it is necessary that teens have an outlet to experience different identities, and YA literature allows them to do so.<\/p>\n
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Works Cited<\/p>\n
Koss, Melanie, and William Teale. “What’s Happening In YA Literature? Trends In Books For Adolescents.” Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy<\/i> 52.7 (2009): 563-572. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson)<\/i>. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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