YOUNG ADULT FICTION (YA) is a category of fiction

written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age.

(adolescents/teenagers)
Target readers Subject matter
Teenagers, but age experience of the
approximately half of protagonist.
YA readers are
adults.
 Teenage characters tend to be concerned with:
1. what others think of them;
2. whether they fit in;
3. how can they prove themselves;
4. how they are judged by others or by
themselves;
5. role models;
6. how to cope with social pressure;
7. parental pressure;
8. romantic desires; and
9. other serious problems.
• Characters: Teenagers • Characters: any age, but
are the protagonist generally tends to favor
• Voice/Style: young adult protagonists aged 20 and
experience. above.
• Theme/Focus: coming of • Voice/Style: nostalgic
age (first love, relationships, • Theme/Focus: existential
identity), exploring the musings
adult world
Stories that focus on the
specific challenges of youth
are sometimes referred to as
problem novels or coming-of-
age novels.
 Young adult fiction
was developed to
soften the transition
between children’s
novels and adult
literature.
However, a YA book doesn't have to deal
strictly with issues that are unique to teens,
like peer pressure or bullying. The Hunger
Games, for example deals with adult situations
(combat to the death, stardom),
but what makes such books YA
is that they look at these
issues from a teenage
perspective.