Friday Fill-Ins: What are you favorite relationships in YA lit and why?
Today we’re talking relationships in YA lit. Both romantic relationships and relationships between adults and teens. So share with us in today’s Friday Fill-Ins:
What is your favorite relationship in a YA book?
And why?
Tell us your answer in the comments.
Filed under: Uncategorized
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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This is a hard one!
It seems there are so many wonderful relationships in YA books, BUT they almost always start out with so much drama attached to them. I wish I knew a story where the relationship was fine from the get go. Ya know? I hope I wont be bored with that story though.lolz
No horrible death or trauma bringing them together, no getting together and having a ton of break up/make ups, etc.
Am I silly? Or does the drama amp up the relationship in our minds as we read the story?
I am finishing an awesome book right now by Katie McGarry Pushing the Limits and I wish Noah and Echo did not have to realize they were meant to be after so much heart ache.
Noah is swoon worthy. I liked seeing them growas people and characters. I always feel satisfied when I finish a book like that.
Another relationship I LOVE is from John Greens Fault in our Stars.
That entire book BLEW my mind and heart.
I also liked the parental dynamics in Pushing the Limits.
Echos dad and step mom and Echo. I felt it was incredibly realistic and the perfect example of how you can be over protective and over loving-for a good reason. They worked through it all and formed a stronger, healthier, family bond in the end.
I, too, often wish there were more YA stories where a very romantic relationship grew and there was no drama attached to it. I think if it was done right, it wouldn't be boring. And the Katie McGarry books are really very good. Love your comment, thank you.
Hope and Eddie in Hope was Here by Joan Bauer. I liked that they were nice to each other and had respect for their talents. Sam and Chelsea in Speechless, too.
As to parent/child relationships, a few immediately come to mind — Vera's relationship with her dad in Please Ignore Vera Dietz, and the relationship between Esme and her dad in Sister Mischief. I loved how these two dads were relateable and did such a great job supporting their daughters as they were growing up. For different reasons, I also loved the relationship between Taylor and her dad in Second Chance Summer. To avoid spoilers, I will just say – I don't see how anyone couldn't completely love him by the time they reach the scene with the stars and the surprise he leaves behind at the end.