where to begin?

Uma · Apr 20, 2008

Hi!

I hope this is the right place for this post! I've been at AW for awhile and it's still a real labryinth.

Here's the deal: I'm really new to writing YA, but I've had an idea for a long time I can't seem to get rid of, and the MC's insist on being 13 and 16. From the get go it really seems to have a YA feel to it, and I am really enjoying the process.

The problem? I feel way over my head, I haven't read YA since I was a YA about 12 years ago, and I'm overwhelmed. It seems a lot has changed in YA writing since then, and I want to make sure I'm atleast a little up-to-date by reading some good stuff.

I'm not stateside right now, but am having guests soon with a big empty suitcase for books for me. Any recommendations for must read YA books for a crash course?

I'm particularly interested in historical fiction, but really, want to get an idea of voice, style, vocab level, etc across the board.

Thanks for any help!

Shady Lane · Apr 20, 2008

Hey, Uma! Welcome to YA. You'll love it.

My personal MUSTS...divided into categories--

Some of the most famous YA books that you will hear referenced on a regular basis. I've read all of these but Twilight et al.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Catcher in the Rye

Twilight and co.

Anything by David Levithan.

Looking for Alaska.

Edgy books

It's Kind of a Funny Story and Be More Chill

Smack

Martyn Pig

The Sins of the Fathers by Chris Lynch (probably my favorite book ever.)

Free Fall and Center Line by Joyce Sweeney (might be difficult to get your hands on, but definitely worth the effort.

Under the Wolf, Under the Dog

Lighter Fare

The Boyfriend List

The Year of Secret Assignments

Flipped

Easy-to-read but nonetheless kickass books

Maybe

My Heartbeat

The Casson Family series

Aegwynn · Apr 20, 2008

If you enjoy historical fiction, you might want to check out Libba Bray. She's written a YA trilogy set in the Victorian era. Though some of the components may be weak, her research is solid and the atmosphere is fabulous.

Other YA authors who are hot right now:
Cassandra Clare
Holly Black
Scott Westerfield
E. Lockhart
Cecil Castellucci
Maureen Johnson

A mix of fantasy and "real-life" YA for you

I also found you a neat list of YA books that are also historical fiction. You can find it here.

Hope that helps!

Danalynn · Apr 20, 2008

A GREAT list of books. I'm writing these down. . . .

THANKS for the tips!

Uma · Apr 20, 2008

Wow, thanks a lot, this is just what I was hoping for . . .

Shady Lane thanks for the insight, am interested in the edgy stuff so I will definately take a look there

Aegwynn: thanks for the historical info, looks like I've got lots of reading to do!

Momento Mori · Apr 21, 2008

Uma:
I'm particularly interested in historical fiction, but really, want to get an idea of voice, style, vocab level, etc across the board.

Uma - I don't know what period you're interested in, but my recommendations for historical YA generally would be the following:

- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (set in Germany during World War II)

- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (also set in Germany during World War II - the protagonist's 9 but I think it would appeal to the 'younger' YA market, i.e. 13/14 year olds)

- Montmorency by Eleanor Updale and the following series (thriller set in England during Victorian times)

There's also a series of books set in Medici Florence but I'm drawing a blank on title and author. Will have a think and come back.

MM

Cassidy · Apr 21, 2008

I'd second the recommendation on the Book Thief. Also I'd strongly recommend Meg Rosoff's books-- How I Live Now, Just in Case and I think the new one (which I haven't read yet) is called What I Was.

sharpierae · Apr 23, 2008

Tjena Uma!

How long have you been in Sweden? I've lived in Stockholm for 5 years and totally understand the dilemma of not being able to get one's greedy hands on the newest of new YA.

Shady hooked you up with a great list up there.

Tell your friends to bring you John Green (Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines) I wasn't able to find him here, and they're great books. You can find Scott Westerfeld, Melvin Burgess and Markus Zusak in libraries/bookstores in Sweden. All recommended.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but maybe you'd like Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson? I liked the voice in Speak by her... and some of the others... you can find them all in Swedeland too.

Happy reading
xxxrae

Uma · Apr 24, 2008

Wow, looks like my visitors are going to have one heavy suitcase with these lists and the dollar where it is right now

Thanks Mori, what I'm working on is actually pre-history, but I'm interested in story lines in this sort of writing aimed at YA, dialogue and level of detail, (and I love historical lit) so I thought it would be a good area to focus on.

I'll take a look at some of those suggestions and keep an eye out for Book Thief Cassidy - thanks!

Hej på dig sharpierae... good to see other swenglish folk here. I've been here for almost 8 years. I'm at the other end of ze country, in Lund, and have been having a hard time finding a wide assortment in our local library. I think I should have better luck in Malmö. Time to get cracking, with summer approaching I think I might actually have some nice long days for reading....

Momento Mori · Apr 24, 2008

Uma:
Thanks Mori, what I'm working on is actually pre-history, but I'm interested in story lines in this sort of writing aimed at YA, dialogue and level of detail, (and I love historical lit) so I thought it would be a good area to focus on.

Ah. The only book I can think of that deals with a pre-historical period is Michelle Paver's series of books that begins with Wolf Brother, which is set in Neolithic times. I think I'm right in saying that it's aimed more at the 'older' MG audience than a strict YA audience but the themes do get darker as the books go on. I do know that Paver did a hell of a lot of research for the books, which is reflected in the text.

Good luck with it.

MM

Uma · Apr 24, 2008

Thanks Mori, that sounds perfect, since I'm trying to figure out this whole MG/YA boundry myself. I'll take a peak.

I tried to pick a time period/area I worked on for my masters, to cut back on the research, and I still feel swamped so I'm interested in seeing what others have done.

Thanks...

bonnyread · Apr 26, 2008

I'm in pretty much the same situation right now, with a book I did not intend to be for young adults, but the story wants what it wants. I'm loving the suggestions too.

I'm currently reading The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and Flora Seguna by Ysabeau S Wilce. They're both fantasy with a historical feel.

ETA: The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood is on my "too read list." It looks totally cool.

where to begin?

Uma

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Aegwynn

Danalynn

NEVER give up!!!!

Uma

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

Cassidy

writing for kids and teens

sharpierae

the UnID

Uma

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

Uma

bonnyread