SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About TLT
  • Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • A to Z Book Lists
    • Book Review Policy
  • Teen Issues
  • Middle Grade Mondays
  • Programs
    • TPiB
    • Tech Talk
  • Professional
    • Teen Services 101
    • Things We Didn’t Learn in Library School
  • MakerSpace
  • Projects
    • #SVYALit
    • #FSYALit
    • #MHYALit
    • #Poverty in YA Lit

October 7, 2015 by Karen Jensen, MLS

If Adults Are the People Buying YA Literature, Should We Still Call It YA? I Say Yes!

October 7, 2015 by Karen Jensen, MLS   4 comments

whyyaOn Monday, David Thorpe at An Awfully Big Blog Adventure pointed out that current statistics indicate that 80% of YA fiction titles are purchased by adults. This percentage has seemingly increased since the last time we talked about this here at TLT back in 2012 when we discussed that We NEED YA Books for Teens. At that time the percentage was in the high 50s. And since then we have seen a huge increase in adults openly embracing their love of reading YA. They even participate in things like the Forever YA Book Club (and I am a member of the DFW chapter). I have no problem with adults reading and enjoying YA fiction. I am an adult who reads and enjoys YA fiction. But I do have a problem with adults taking over the YA market in such a way that we start considering whether or not we should even call the market YA. The answer is: we should. Teens need, want and read YA fiction. The YA category in bookstores and libraries makes it that much easier for teens to find the books they want, need and read. Like the Juniors section at your local clothing store or the Country category at your local record store, it’s a label designed to help the target market easily find the product they are looking for. It doesn’t exclude others, but it does help increase access. It also is a label of validation. By writing, publishing and marketing age appropriate books for teen readers that they can more easily identify with, we as a society communicate to our teens that we respect them, we value them, that they have a space among us to call home. I said a lot of these same types of things on Monday when I tweeted about this so rather than repeat myself, I Storified the tweets for you. There are also some tweets from others that were wise and affirming. And if you are interested, here is another passionate defense I make about YA literature titled Dear Media, Let Me Help You Write That Article About YA Literature.

What should we call YA (this link will take you to the Storify story)

Storify by
TeenLibrarianToolbox
Wed, Oct 07 2015 00:46:54

If Most YA is Bought by Adults, Should We Still Call it YA?

Once again it has come up that a majority of YA fiction tends to be purchased by adults and the question was asked, should we still call it YA if adults are the ones mostly buying (and presumably reading) it? And here is my answer (with some help from my friends on Twitter).

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  1. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I have a lot of thoughts about this, but my basic answer is yes. Other useful info in the post as well.  https://twitter.com/JensBookPage/status/651140736398680064 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:11:44

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  2. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Re last RT: TEENS DESERVING THEIR OWN BOOKS! So please don’t let the fact that adults are buying/reading YA take YA away from them.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:12:53

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  3. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Re last RT: TEENS DESERVING THEIR OWN BOOKS! So please don’t let the fact that adults are buying/reading YA take YA away from them.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:12:53

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  4. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    There are so many signals society already sends that let teens know we don’t value them. Keep YA, and Keep YA for Teens.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:13:51

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  5. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I begrudge no adult who wants to buy and read YA for whatever reason, but let’s not change YA because they do. Teens NEED YA.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:14:43

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  6. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    As a YA librarian, I can assure that TEENS WANT, NEED, AND READ YA. Every day I talk with them. Trust me.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:15:35

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  7. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    True story.  https://twitter.com/kidsilkhaze/status/651143591826337792 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:16:10

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  8. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Yes, they need to know where/how to find the books that reflect their lives. Adults already have large sections.  https://twitter.com/JensBookPage/status/651143236698816513 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:16:44

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  9. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I would love to know more about this as well. I mean, I buy YA. I read YA. I also have a Teen. And I work w/teens.  https://twitter.com/mosylu/status/651144058518175744 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:17:39

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  10. kidsilkhaze

    Jennifer SCRAM!@kidsilkhaze
    .@TLT16 @JensBookPage Teens have limited disposable income. Most of their things are purchased by adults.

    @TLT16

    ·

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:18:15

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  11. kidsilkhaze

    Jennifer SCRAM!@kidsilkhaze
    .@TLT16 @JensBookPage We never say “most teen clothing is purchased by adults! maybe we should call it something different!”

    @TLT16

    ·

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:18:39

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  12. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    There was almost no YA when I was a teen. I read adult books. What a difference it would be if I had access 2 the YA books 2day. I needed YA

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:20:35

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  13. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I needed to know that my peers thought, feared, and worried about the same things. That I wasn’t alone. That I wasn’t abnormal.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:21:08

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  14. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I needed to know that there were other sexual assault survivors, that there were other anorexics, others who were lost.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:21:48

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  15. Lez_Brarian

    Alex@Lez_Brarian
    Anything good that teens have, adults want to claim for themselves, which leads to pushing teens out of it. grrrr. @TLT16

    @TLT16

    ·

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:21:50

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  16. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I couldn’t relate to the things in the adult fiction I read. I didn’t know what it meant to be married. To be a mom. I struggled 2 connect.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:22:40

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  17. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    When I see my teens reading YA, I see how much it matters. How much it helps them in this personal journey.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:23:09

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  18. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    This  https://twitter.com/JensBookPage/status/651145207535108096 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:23:42

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  19. PamelaJean0

    Librarian Pam@PamelaJean0
    I needed YA when I was a teen because it probably saved my life. Thank you, Wintergirls.  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/651145285234618370 …

    @TLT16

    ·

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:24:17

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  20. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Yes, which is why they always come up Missing!  https://twitter.com/mosylu/status/651145417506222082 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:24:28

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  21. Lez_Brarian

    Alex@Lez_Brarian
    The “but adults read YA too” argument reminds me too much of “but all lives matter”- yes they do, but that’s BESIDE THE POINT @TLT16

    @TLT16

    ·

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:26:49

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  22. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Me too! I think this is true of all YA collections.  https://twitter.com/PamelaJean0/status/651146415339470848 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:27:09

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  23. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I see my teenage daughter reading Sarah Dessen, & Kissing in America and more to help her navigate teenage friendships. I am thankful 4 this

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:28:02

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  24. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I see her dipping her toes into YA romance as she is just starting to think about this & I am grateful it is there for her.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:28:45

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  25. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    Basically, I’m thankful teens today have the YA they want & need to navigate the teen years. Let them keep it. #yasaves

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:32:25

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  26. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    And yes, YA is well written & funny & entertaining. That doesn’t mean it still can’t be for teens. They deserve quality. They deserve fun.

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:33:11

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  27. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    I’m now going to call my baby & ask her what she’s reading today because that’s another thing about YA, it bonds, builds bridges, open doors

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:34:44

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  28. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    In fact, if you are an adult that cares about any teen, you should read YA and then talk to the teens in your life about it. Communication!

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:35:22

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
  29. TLT16

    TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16
    THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS  https://twitter.com/poetryghost/status/651148091689603072 …

    Mon, Oct 05 2015 21:36:13

    ReplyRetweetFavorite

Edited to add this link shared on Twitter by Hippodilly Circus: A Letter to Teachers, Stop Telling Teens You Don’t Like Them

Filed under: Why YA?

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

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).

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

June 2014

In defense of teens by Heather Booth

by Karen Jensen, MLS

March 2013

Why YA? David James talks The Year of Ice

by Karen Jensen, MLS

January 2013

Why YA? (again): Fear and loathing in YA literature

by Karen Jensen, MLS

October 2012

Why YA? Twilight (Stephenie Meyer) and Impossible (Nancy Werlin) as discussed by author Lea Nolan

by Karen Jensen, MLS

September 2012

Why YA? Stephen King as Honorary YA Author by Chloe Jacobs

by Karen Jensen, MLS

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Surprise! Announcing CABOOSE

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Jump Into this Guest Post by Shadra Strickland About Her Latest Book: Jump In!

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Kiss Number 8 | Review

by Johanna

Heavy Medal

What’s Coming in 2023, A Feedback Poll, and Goodbye for Now…

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

WRITING FOR YOURSELF FIRST, a guest post by author M. K. Lobb

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

A Book 25 Years in the Making: Marla Frazee Visits The Yarn

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

18 Novels for Teens That Blow the Dust Off History | Summer Reading 2021

Current Events Reflect Current Reads | Pondering Printz

Three Reimagined Tales for Teens

17 Immersive Graphic Novels for Teens | Summer Reading 2021

16 YA Novels That Reenvision History | Summer Reading 2020

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JennB says

    October 7, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Thank you for all you do to keep these issues relevant and talked about. This reminds me of a few things that we have dealt with now that school is off and running. First, parents who come and want to know how to teach/get their kids to read and read better. Yet it never dawns on them that kids who are read to and find the time enjoyable generally become readers. And that if you let them choose, they will find books they enjoy. Reading for skill and reading for fun/entertainment/knowledge are all different things. A bit off subject but…

  2. Trevor says

    October 7, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Do we know if that 80% is just from retail? I ask because if that doesn’t take into account all the library and educational wholesaler sales that are going directly into classrooms and libraries for teens, I would think that would change the % significantly.

    • Karen Jensen, TLT says

      October 7, 2015 at 6:10 pm

      Unfortunately, I don’t really know the source of the statistics, how they got the data, and what qualifying questions they asked. But you are correct, libraries buy a metric ton of teen books and I wonder how this data is or isn’t reflected.

  3. molly wetta says

    October 11, 2015 at 11:06 am

    I wrote about this right after the Nielsen Kids Book Con at YALSA’s The Hub with some examples of why having books written for specifically for teens is so important. http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2015/09/18/who-is-young-adult-literature-for/

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023