On June 5, 2014, Slate writer Ruth Graham wrote a provocative article called, “Against YA.” The subheading said, “Read whatever you want. But you should feel embarrassed when what you’re reading was written for children.”
I beg to differ. If there is one thing young adult fiction readers should not feel, it’s shame. YA novels have shaped our society. From Harry Potter to The Book Thief to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, they have universal applicability, sophisticated prose and vivid stories that are not just kid stuff.
If you’re not quite sure what qualifies as a YA book (the definition is hazy), it generally refers to books written for 12 to 17 year olds.