Comments on: Book Award News

By: Mrs. Berrett

Mrs. Berrett — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:29:19 +0000

YA authors may have freedom in genre, but I think they are more accountable to their readers than other writers. Someone writing in the adult market can target a specific group. YA authors have to try to encompass a generation. Most of the distinction seems to be whether it is targeted to males or females. But even writing toward a sex it’s a hard crowd because it’s so vast.
Stephenie Meyer is undeniably the most successful American YA writer right now, but her work is always being attacked. I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but that she’s trying to write to a niche that doesn’t exist. YA is for everyone, her book is not. So she may be raking in sales, but she also faces a lot of criticism from those uninterested in teen romance. Why do they bother? Because her book, at least in the book stores, is marketed as for teens, no distinction beyond that.
Most literary readers (such as yourself) don’t even bother to have opinions on Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts. There isn’t much of a point because they aren’t pretending to care about you. They stay safely in the romance corner and are mostly fine. YA authors don’t have that luxury.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:32:52 +0000

I can attest to the fact that Mrs. Berrett struggled through this book. Some parts she read me were clever, of course, but I felt sorry for her as she moved through something causing so little joy.

Interesting point about there being no distinction between genres in YA literature, Mrs. Berrett. I know that on one level that is something I find appealing with the group — you can pick up a book that is brilliant and pertinent fantasy or science fiction or realism or surrealism, sometimes by the same author. I wonder if they feel a great deal of freedom that perhaps writers for other audiences don’t feel. I’m sure what I’ve just written is too simplistic, but still . . .

Of course, if that is at all true, you also run into the problem you mentioned above.

By: Mrs. Berrett

Mrs. Berrett — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:26:30 +0000

The main problem with YA literature is there is no genre breakups. I see the reasoning: we want kids to try a variety of styles to learn to love reading rather than a particular type. But the problem is there is zero distinction between the junk and the gems. I think it works against itself, the first YA book I read was pure trash and I didn’t revisit YA again until college, and it was by accident.

But, on to the awards. I just read Libba Bray’s Going Bovine. It’s actually my fourth book by Bray and while I think she’s very witty and clever, I can’t help feeling like she gets so caught up in her story she sometimes forgets to clearly write. Whenever things start to get exciting and intense, her descriptions become vague and characters are doing things without the reader being told what they are doing. I find myself confused and rereading passages multiple times before I just guess what is happening; only sometimes are my guesses correct.

As far as Going Bovine winning the Printz, I don’t really get it. The story was original and she threw a lot of the givens for YA out the window. For a book, it was fine. For a Printz? I’m very disappointed.

The Printz has always been one of my favorites because the books are well-written, unique (Jellicoe Road is three stories that almost don’t make sense until you put them all together), and deal with the stuff we try to put under the rug. It doesn’t shy away from showing teens life as it is. Even more importantly, it doesn’t turn into some silly moral story either.

I didn’t see that with this year’s pick. I didn’t think, I didn’t even care, about the story. I found it a tedious book of inside-jokes for gamers. I’ve never been so glad to finish a book before.

By: Colette Jones

Colette Jones — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:55:55 +0000

I am so pleased that you cover the book awards here – I paid attention to so many last year and really enjoyed it, and have possibly become a bit addicted to them, as it seems it’s been too long since the last one. Roll on Saturday (National Book Critics Circle Finalists)!

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:22:05 +0000

Sherry: There is so much YA literature (much of it junk, I think, but I don’t really know) that yet another blog would be a waste of time. Okay, I agree, occasional posts here are the best option. Sneak your opinion in whenever you can. :-)

By: Mrs. Berrett

Mrs. Berrett — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:04:32 +0000

Notice he didn’t mention the guest posts? You’re not the first to suggest this, but Trevor is very protective of his blog. I’m sure someday I’ll prove myself worthy. :)
As far as a blog goes, it’s still something I think about. I like the idea of it, but I’m turned away because of the quality of books the major bloggers read (and many times the quality of the blogs themselves). The YA literature I’m interested in doesn’t get a large following and if I’m dedicating that much time I’d really want to make it more worthwhile.
Then again, maybe it just needs someone who can more adequately highlight it.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:59:24 +0000

Sherry has an excellent track record in identifying YA books that I would enjoy. And I can also understand why a full blog is not a major priority right now. Maybe you could set up a YA for Adults subsection in the sidebar and she could offer some thumbnail recommendations? The field is so crowded (and there are lots of YA blogs) that I ignore it — but I wouldn’t mind venturing in a couple times a year and she has established excellent credibility.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:05:39 +0000

She does not have a blog, kimbofo, which is unfortunate for those seeking good discussions of YA books. Though from time to time I’ve encouraged her to begin one, she has good reasons to stay away. :)

By: kimbofo

kimbofo — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:38:18 +0000

Has your wife got a blog, Trevor? Hehehe. Or could she write some guest posts? Would love to read her thoughts about certain books etc.