Kids today do not have it easy. They’re coming of age during a tense political and social climate.Racism, climate change, school shootings, threats from global superpowers and neo-Nazism are just a few of the clouds hanging over their heads.On top of all of that, they still have to go to school, deal with friends, social pressure, classwork and the dreaded required reading.
Thankfully, there are books just for young adults (better known as “YA books”) that speak to the truth of what it’s like to be a teenager in the world today.
These stories (especially some of the most recently published) are diverse, honest, emotionally compelling and inspiring, and they’re helping teens face the challenges ahead of them while teaching us grown-ups how to understand the young people in our lives.
I wish I had these novels in my backpack when I was in high school, to give me the language and courage I needed to understand the world around me and express myself.
But there’s no reason I can’t enjoy these stories as a grown-up. In fact, 55 percent of young adult books are consumed by people over the age of 18. And today, there are over 50 book festivals dedicated just to YA literature that cater to fans of all ages.
