Re: ?What defines YA

[Irene Clise <iclise1@MICKEY.ESD113.WEDNET.EDU>]

Abby Jane
        When I talk with students (and their teachers) about YA books, I
define them as those where the main characters are teens, that adults
have insignificant roles, and that adults (unless they are teachers or
someone truly interested in what teens are reading) will NOT read.  These
books, by design, are less lengthy and less difficult than "adult"
books.  I often refer to them as "quick reads", meaning a student can
usually read them in three or four hours.
        I'll be interested in how others define YA books.

Irene Clise
Library Media Specialist
River Ridge High School
8929 Martin Way East
Olympia, Washington 98516
iclise1@mickey.esd113.wednet.edu

On Tue, 21 Feb 1995, Abby Jane Goldberg wrote:

> What distinguishes a YA from an adult book?
> What is the criteria? Length?
> I am at a loss of words to explain the distinction to nonlibrarians.
> Thank you.
> Abby Jane Goldberg
> agoldber@mailer.acns.fsu.edu
>