The current book market is alive with hundreds upon hundreds of titles marketed to teens and young adult readers. This genre has seen a particular boost in popularity as TV shows based on popular YA novels like Pretty Little Liars, The Secret Circle and The Vampire Diaries make their way into homes across America. Topics and themes found in YA literature often tackle heavier issues. It is not uncommon to see characters in these books grapple with topics like sex, drug use and relationships. As a parent, it is your job to ultimately decide when your evolving young reader is ready to turn the corner and explore the worlds and stories that await them in the YA universe.
The first and most important question any parent should ask themselves is what sorts of themes you are comfortable with having your child be exposed to. The concepts that they encounter within the walls of these books can resonate very strongly in the mind of a teenager. As a mother, I had to think very carefully about how I wanted to continue to bolster my daughter’s aptitude for reading all the while making sure I wouldn’t be opening the door to subject matter that is not yet suitable for her age level, while at the same time have the opportunity explore the particular genre. I know many people disregard YA due to various assumptions about quality, topics, and themes, but due to my own exposure, I can make critical judgments to the validity of the various anti-YA arguments and determine if they’re suitable for my teen.
The solution that I decided on in the end was to open up a conversation with my teen about some of the issues she has heard about at school or interested in herself. Not only is this type of engagement helpful to gauge an appropriate reading level, it is also a wonderful way to show your growing teen that you are ready to start interacting with them as an adult. Perhaps this type of conversation already runs standard in your interactions, either way, take some of the topics that come up and begin to think of an age appropriate book that can correlate to these themes.
One of the first YA books I introduced to my teen was David Almond’s “Skellig”. For one, I am a big proponent of award winners (Skellig nabbed the 2000 Printz Honor Award for excellence in YA literature) and two, Almond creates a wonderful coming of age narrative that deals with the complex themes of death, life and the supernatural. Due to the novel’s popularity, there was a wide range of supplemental resources to engage in after the book was finished and my daughter and I had a really great conversation about the novel and what it meant to her.
This leads to the next important process of the transition to YA. After the first novel is completed, and perhaps to the next few thereafter, find some time to sit down and discuss themes and the events that took place. This conversation can be an excellent way to gauge the way your teen understand and interprets themes and ideas. This is an excellent time to bond with your kids, discussing books can provided deeper and more enriched conversation and a chance to really pick your teen’s brain. This process can also provide you with a great resource in deciding what should come next.
It’s important to not dance around some of the trickier and more controversial topics that YA literature can focus on. If a YA book is doing its job correctly, the reader will simultaneously be exposed to mature themes and still have a great narrative that is relatable to the age of the reader.
If you feel that your teen is ready to tackle some of these more mature issues, consider picking up a copy of Laurie Halse Anderson’s, “Speak”. At the heart of Anderson’s controversial and heavily awarded novel is the subject of rape and how the protagonist, a high school teenager, comes to terms with what happened to her. Praised as much as it is banned, the subject matter of Anderson’s novel definitely falls into the more mature side of the YA spectrum
As the parent of a YA reader, you have to come to the realization that eventually and in some way, your teen will be exposed to these subjects. The YA book offers a unique approach to this and when utilized appropriately, can act as a great way for you as a parent to shape a dialogue that will be healthy and productive for your teen.
As your teen makes their way through their junior high and high school career, their exposure to sciences, histories and languages will be constantly growing. Teens will constantly be challenging and reworking their own opinions and beliefs on some of the tougher issues that are being discussed in the present world.
YA literature can do a number of things to further the fascination and curiosities that a teen might have when introduced to more mature ideas and concepts such as genetics and cloning, race relations and wars. Choosing a great book for your teen on one of these topics could potentially be the spark that spurs them to pursue a degree at a post-secondary school in area of study that was previously unconsidered.
Making the decision on when your child is ready to take this leap and step into that next aisle at the library or the other row at the bookstore is choice that should be made with an adequate amount of thought, consideration and conversation. Although the American Library Associate states the youngest age of YA reader to be 12, the appropriate time will be different for everyone.
The thirst for reading and knowledge is a valuable tool that parents can impart to their children. Effectively utilizing YA literature in all of its forms can be they key that unlocks the door to a lifetime of learning.
Maria L Hughes is a children’s book enthusiast, parent, and online publisher for childrensbookstore.com. She enjoys blogging about reading and kid’s books.