Comments on: Expanding the YA Umbrella

By: annastan

annastan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:55:57 +0000

Good question! I would imagine it might feel a little odd to have such “young” books in the YA section when you’re a reader who feels like you’ve finally graduated from MG. I could see how that might push some readers, especially on the older end of the spectrum, toward adult books. Then again, YA has so many great books going for it, it might be enough to keep those readers coming back for more!

By: John Rea-Hedrick

John Rea-Hedrick — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:34:26 +0000

It makes me wonder what YA readers think when they peruse YA sections in bookstore. Are they happy to see MG books creeping because it gives them ideas of new things to read, or do they see those titles as intrusions as they’re being actively ~~marketed~~ encouraged to read more adult titles.

By: annastan

annastan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:08:01 +0000

I can’t say I blame them! Since YA is one of the segments of publishing that’s still keeping its head above water, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing picture books suddenly labeled as YA.

By: PJ Hoover

PJ Hoover — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:49:38 +0000

I love the variety on the YA shelves. It totally helps reaffirm to me how different people like different things.
And John is right that publishers and booksellers are really doing whatever they need to to sell books. Different covers. Different placement. Whatever will work.

By: annastan

annastan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:44:35 +0000

John, I think you’re absolutely right that this is probably more about marketing than anything else. Still, it does make me wonder if marketing will play a hand in broadening what we consider to be YA. If teens start reading “down”as well as up, it might cause a bit of a stir in MG as well. As for the content of the books – well that gives us even more to consider! It will be interesting to see if/how things continue to change in both YA and MG.

By: annastan

annastan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:38:46 +0000

Oh that poor boy! Can you imagine if that woman had tried to do the same thing to another adult? It amuses me that we try to force children to read things they’re not interested in because we think we know better. If it’s for school, that’s one thing. But if a boy can’t even read what he wants for fun? It’s a miracle he’s still interested in reading at all!

By: John Rea-Hedrick

John Rea-Hedrick — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:32:53 +0000

This actually strikes me as more of a marketing strategy than, sadly enough, a true example of the expansion of the YA umbrella. Although I do agree that YA is expanding and as a YA writer I’m glad of it! Product makers have always looked for ways to expand their markets, even to children, whether or not the products they sell are appropriate for them. My oldest child is 12-years-old and a voracious reader. We are still involved in the kinds of books she’s allowed read – at least for now. Just because she *can* read a book, doesn’t mean she *should* whether it’s placed in the YA section in the bookstore or not.

Thanks for sharing your post!

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:53:35 +0000

I’m wondering if you hit on it when you thought booksellers may be trying to benefit from YA being so popular. And no, you can’t blame them with the economy and all. Still…

Perhaps they’re catering to the parents? Recently, when I was in Borders, there was this boy who made a bee-line for Goosebumps, which was age-appropriate for him. But Mom was just about forcing him to go with some YA book because she heard all about it. She went so far to sit there on the floor with him and read–out loud and very dramatically–the first few pages. He totally ignored her. She won though because she was paying so this poor kid had to leave the book(s) he wanted to read so Mom could crow about this YA book. Sad.