Uncovering the roots of the YA genre
By Morgan on April 6th, 2011
YA is everywhere these days. With an expanded audience (adults are reading it too!) and big-name books like The Hunger Games and Twilight, there’s no denying the power of the Young Adult genre.
Most bookstores today house thriving YA sections, and considering my reading diet is approximately three-quarters full of YA, I find it hard to imagine the days when YA wasn’t so prevalent. But then, earlier this week, I came across this fascinating seris from A Tapestry of Words about the roots of YA.
The series so far has covered YA Through the Ages: the 1800s, YA Through the Ages: 1900-1950, YA Through the Ages: the 50s, and YA Through the Ages: the 60s, and it presents a nice, engaging history of the YA genre, from its origin in the early 19th century, its slow growth in the early 20th century, and how it began blossoming in the 1950s. And by the 1960s, some clear trends in teen literature were emerging.
One only need glance at the posts to find at least some truth in the premise that YA lit was taking off in the 50s and 60s: after all, The Outsiders, The Catcher in the Rye, A Wrinkle in Time, To Kill a Mockingbird, and My Darling, My Hamburger were all published mid-century. (Notably, four of those books are part of the Most Listed Books over on You Are What You Read!)
As a big YA reader myself, I’m always curious about what teens (and adults who like teen lit!) were reading as they were growing up. What do you think, YA fans? How has the genre changed for you over the years?
Posted: April 6th, 2011 under Books, More News. Tags: books, history, YA, YAWYR.
2 comments
Comments
With the exception of “My Darling, My Hamburger,” I have read them all mentioned here and many more mentioned on A Tapestry of Words. In addition, I’m a huge fan of Speak and Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson, and The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. I am looking forward to reading “The Mockingbirds,” by Daisy Whitney. A missing book from mention: “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou, and The Giver, by Lois Lowry.
For me, I’m seeing connections between “classics” and current trending YA literature. Perhaps they can be a bridge/vehicle for students to access older works of literature? For example, Speak is modern (even at 10 years old, already), but very similar to Catcher in the Rye (both protagonists have a lot in common, even though they are searching for different things and are opposite genders). Similarly, the Outsiders and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings are similar to Melinda Sordino. Of course, Maya moreso than Ponyboy!
Comment on April 6, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Thanks very much for the mention! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the YA Through the Ages series so far. I’ve been finding it really interesting (and learning a lot!) to follow the progression of YA as it grew and expanded.
Comment on April 6, 2011 at 11:03 pm
