Delving into the YA book world
I've been reading a lot of YA lately, mainly because I'm attempting to write one of my own so I need to see what's out there. It seems there are two main themes of YA these days: vampires and dystopian novels. But that's not to say they're bad.
Because I'm not into vampires (no, I did not like TWILIGHT, and if you want to get into why, I'll tell you but only if asked directly), I usually steer away from those. Although you really can't throw a cat without hitting a vampire book in a YA section, either at the library or at a bookstore.
I didn't think I liked dystopian novels, either. I've got issues with all those kids reading about the end of the
world and depressing future worlds. But I found a series I find surprisingly good, with really great characters. It's Michael Grant's GONE series. I've read GONE and am halfway through HUNGER and have LIES on order. In this series, everyone over the age of 14 just poofs out. Is gone. No longer exists. And there's a strange barrier surrounding the town and animals begin to mutate and talk. It's a bit LORD OF THE FLIES, but the characters are well drawn and the story told well.
I've also started reading James Patterson's MAXIMUM RIDE series, because my daughter is doing a yearlong project in which she's reading the first four books and then will write a paper in June. This is another
series I wasn't sure about. I mean, it's about kids with wings. Kids who were genetically engineered by mixing human and avian DNA. Sure, it's out there, but this is another compelling read. I love everyone in "the flock" and the story moves really fast, which is why my daughter likes it.
I know many people credit Harry Potter with getting kids to read again, but between that and Rick Riordan's great Percy Jackson series, and these other books, I'm surprised any kid would have a hard time finding a book to fit his or her taste.
Do you read any YA?
Because I'm not into vampires (no, I did not like TWILIGHT, and if you want to get into why, I'll tell you but only if asked directly), I usually steer away from those. Although you really can't throw a cat without hitting a vampire book in a YA section, either at the library or at a bookstore.
I didn't think I liked dystopian novels, either. I've got issues with all those kids reading about the end of the

I've also started reading James Patterson's MAXIMUM RIDE series, because my daughter is doing a yearlong project in which she's reading the first four books and then will write a paper in June. This is another

I know many people credit Harry Potter with getting kids to read again, but between that and Rick Riordan's great Percy Jackson series, and these other books, I'm surprised any kid would have a hard time finding a book to fit his or her taste.
Do you read any YA?
Comments
The first Maximum Ride book is good - I found the more I read of the series the more moralistic and preachy it got.
I will check out Gone!
thanks
gaylin
John, I'll put those titles on my list. Thanks!
I can only add, the book that really got my daughter reading in high school was Eggers' "A Heartbreaking Work..."
She is an adult now and a happy reader. Thanks, Dave.
James A. Owens' "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica" Series and Michael Scott's " Alchemyst" series. The first is a bit paranormal, the other two are totally Sci-Fi/Fantasy (my other love aside from mysteries, although these tend have a bit of mystery to them)
Probably the only YA I will read IS dystopian. Zombies are almost as big as vampires in YA (Forest of Hands and Teeth).
Jan, I've seen the Alchemyst books and am intrigued.
Chris, so glad you found me over here! One of my favorite zombie YA books is GENERATION DEAD by my friend Daniel Waters. Great satire, great story.