Comments on: YA Literature That Pushes Modern Boundaries

By: Gaura McLeod

Gaura McLeod — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:14:29 +0000

Love your analysis of the evolution of YA writing! I just hope that while writers work on brand new mind bending ideas the ‘traditional’ childrens book doesnt fall to the wayside as ‘old fashioned.’ As a kid my imagination was fueled by such works as The Hobbit and The Sword in the Stone and some of my favourite memories of reading were getting lost in enchanted woods with my heros, elves, dwarves etc….sometimes it seems that in today’s writing market, unless you are doing a ‘new take’ on the traditional fantasy novel (i.e The Artemis Fowl series, Terry Pratchett’s work- both of I do like) if you write a ‘traditonal’ type character into your novel you are doomed!

By: Kidlit.com · Are Publishers Taking Risks Anymore?

Kidlit.com · Are Publishers Taking Risks Anymore? — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:46:02 +0000

[...] unheard-of paranormal creature, situation, or whatever (like Libba Bray’s GOING BOVINE (read my review), a book about a crazy mad cow disease road trip, but executed with ridiculous genius, which went [...]

By: Heidi Sinnett

Heidi Sinnett — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:20:00 +0000

I love that YA can be so different than conventional fiction. It is what makes young readers different from older readers…..they aren’t chained to the idea of reality. Reality in YA fiction can be anything…as long as the voice is convincing and the plot captures them from the start.

I loved that LIAR was so set in reality for most of the first part of the book. It made the story seem plausible, so that when the “truth” started coming out, the reader didn’t have to go far to understand it. I couldn’t put it down!

I think if more adult readers let their imaginations free, the world of writing as we know it would change dramatically. But thank goodness for YA!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:04:58 +0000

” . . . makes me think that we might be entering a new phase of postmodernism in YA literature.”

Wow.

This is such an insightful analysis. I’m so glad that you’ve put this into words. Lately, I’ve been surfing Amazon reviews and I’ve noticed that there seems to be a trend of using these as a platform to critique the author rather than of the work itself. I’m concerned that this trend of not being able to separate the author from the work is a reflection of a shrinking suspension of disbelief . . . or worse, a shrinking comprehension of abstraction.

I hope that this sort of “reality blur” in YA literature is every bit as timely and appropriate as what the Wayans did in Scary Movie and Dance Flick.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:14:19 +0000

You make a very interesting observation about where YA writing is going. There are so many influences on culture and what interests young people nowadays, especially all this social networking. Great post, you’ve made me more curious for what’s to come!

By: Paradox

Paradox — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:15:00 +0000

This sort of reality-blurring interests me. I’m going to be writing a post-apocalyptic metafictional YA for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year.

By: Tweets that mention Kidlit.com · YA Literature That Pushes Modern Boundaries -- Topsy.com

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:06:06 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robin Wasserman, Barry Goldblatt and Kidlit.com. Kidlit.com said: @JustineLavaworm (LIAR) and @libbabray (GOING BOVINE) tango with reality, fiction and the truth. Postmodernism, FTW! http://ow.ly/p5cP [...]