Children & Education: Children's Literature

(image from Wallingford Library’s Children’s Pages)

Young Adult (YA) literature is exactly what it sounds like -- literature that is best suited for readers ranging in age from "tweens" (usually 11-13 year olds), teens (13-18 year olds), and even to adults in their early and mid 20s.
Themes of YA books cover many topics, everything from identity and sexuality, to depression and suicide, to drug and/or alcohol abuse, bullying, family issues, and the list goes on. YA books come is various genres and formats to draw a wide range and variety of readers.

YALSA is the Young Adult Library Services Association -- a division of the American Library Association. YALSA's aim is to provide services to library staff working with teens and tweens. For more information or to contact YALSA, please click the image below.

(image from ala.org)

Just like there are children's lit awards, there are also awards given out to Young Adult books as well; some of the more popular awards are:

• The Michael L. Prince Award, an award given for exemplary excellence in YA literature.
• The William C. Morris Debut Award celebrates a first time YA author.
• The Teen's Top Ten Award is put together by teens, for teens.

Emily Newton

Email: enewton@hfcc.edu

Reference Desk: 313.845.6377

Henry Ford College
5101 Evergreen Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48128