YA and Middle Grade Novels--Aren't Just for YA Readers Any Longer! By Connie Vines #BWLAuthor, #MFRWAuthor, #YANovels, #MiddleGradeNovels, #RandomThoughtsScatteredAbout

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Weekly Feature #3

Hello, My Lovelies,

Who says young adult novels are just for kids? Reading YA offers adults a world they don’t often find in more grown-up novels. The settings can be more fantastical, and the emotions can feel downright nostalgic. Whatever your reason for diving in, here are some YA reads that can easily be appreciated by an older audience.

Did you know:

A 2012 survey by a market research firm found that 55 percent of these books are bought by people older than 18. (The definition of YA is increasingly fuzzy, but it generally refers to books written for 12- to 17-year-olds. Meanwhile, the cultural definition of “young adult” now stretches practically to age 30, which may have something to do with this whole phenomenon.)

The largest group of buyers in that survey—accounting for a whopping 28 percent of all YA sales—are between ages 30 and 44. 

Today’s YA, we are constantly reminded, is worldly and adult-worthy. 

 Most importantly, these books consistently indulge in the kind of endings that teenagers want to see. YA endings are uniformly satisfying, whether that satisfaction comes through weeping or cheering. 

These endings are emblematic of the fact that the emotional and moral ambiguity of adult fiction—of the real world—is nowhere in evidence in YA fiction. These endings are for readers who prefer things to be wrapped up neatly, our heroes married or dead or happily grasping hands, looking to the future. 

Great works of fiction for YA Readers include: 

• To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. 
• Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.
• The Diary of Anne Frank, by Anne Frank.
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor.
• Don't Ask Me Where I'm From, by Jennifer De Leon. 
• Bloom, by Elizabeth Scott.

I began my writing career in YA fiction. I wrote on spec for Junior Detective Magazine, Humpty Dumpty Magazine, Brilliant Star, and AIM Magazine. Several of my non-fiction articles became part of the Benjamin Franklin Educational Series.

Artwork: Al Michini

My article received promo on the front cover of the magazine!  I was so excited!!

Artwork: Larry Simmons

During this time, and for the next fifteen years, I judged local and international writing contests, spoke at libraries and in middle school classrooms and assemblies.  

I always requested student topics in advance so I could discuss topics of interest with the current group.  Afterward, I held Q & A.

My favorite appearance was during the school district(s) yearly "Young Author Awards." I served on the board of the Pomona Valley Writers Association. Our members read every entry (K - 8th grade). We fundraised for our specially designed metals. Each school and every grade level in each school had categories: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd award winners. as you can see, it was a well-attended event.

One of the first guest speakers of the PVWA was famed poet, Carl Sandburg

(for more on the Pomona Valley Writers Association visit this link). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1og9HgYkGg

We held the award ceremony at our famous high school auditorium  (once a college, attended by Beverly Cleary) and, when a high school, holds bragging rights to authors: Joseph Wambaugh  

Also, performer and Chaffey alumni,  Daniel Durston (Here is a clip from Peter Pan where he plays Captian Hook). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEBhUWJoOY

and in Las Vegas, on television.

Now back on topic 😄✍:

My current YA/MG Release (available in English and Spanish) print and ebook

National Book Award, Nominee

Independent E-Book Winner, Historical Fiction

Frankfurt ebook, Nominee

Kindle Unlimited #1 Best Seller in Native American Historical Fiction

Thank you for stopping by,

XOXO

Connie

Available at These Book Sellers  (Just click on link)