I’m interested in crossover YA novels. We recently had Alyson Noel as a guest blogger, talking about her YA novel Evermore, which definitely falls into the crossover category, in my opinion. Another recent read of mine, Graceling, by Kristin Cashore, also qualifies.
The really high profile books in the crossover category are, I think, Twilight and the other books in that series, Harry Potter and the His Dark Materials series. But what makes a crossover YA book? What are the elements that make it a suitable crossover.
My thoughts on this are crossover books are not just big, but they have a number of layers of complexity. Even if the protagonist is very young, the problems they confront and the situations they are in have to strike a cord in the reader, whether young or old.
Twilight focuses on the first rush of romantic love, the longing for something you cannot have, would be bad for you to have, but which you want more than anything. Harry Potter at its core is about the fantasy of suddenly going from utter despair and helplessness to untold popularity and power, and the price you have to pay for that. His Dark Materials is about our connection with our inner-most self, about the components that make us who we are, and what we are prepared to do to remain true to that.
I’m reading a YA sci-fi book at the moment, Stone by Adam Roberts, and honestly, if it hadn’t said YA on the spine, I wouldn’t have know it was a YA novel. I may be reading it a different way to a 13 year-old and not realize it, but honestly, it feels adult to me.
I’d be interested to hear what you think about this. What do you think is the most important component of crossover YA?
The most important component for me is if the story appeals to both YA and OA (old adult
).
Good writing! I’m hooked on the Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter. (The newest is just out!) To me, these are modern day Nancy Drew books, with better, smarter and more fun characters and premise. So if you liked Nancy Drew and those kind of books, you’ll love the Gallagher Girls books.
I have got to try more YA novels. I’ve heard many people talking about the cross-over appeal, and now I think I need to see what all the excitement is about!
Michelle, I’m hooked on those YA crossover books too. I’m reading one now titled, MARKED, by PC and Kristin Cast. It’s along the vein of Twilight and Evermore. And you’re right, YA books are not what they were back in the day. They’re fresh and the voices are exciting, very difficult to explain really. All I know is that it opened a whole new world of reading for me. Thank goodness my daughter led the way on this genre. We’re always passing books back and forth!
And Edie, I’m going to try the Gallagher Girls too! Ya know I was a huge fan of Nancy D.
I haven’t read a lot of YA books, but I know in order to cross over they have to appeal to both young adults and and older audience. That’s a little tough since the older audience tends to have more sophisticated tastes.
That said, I would almost say that a lot of the old Harlequin categories could almost qualify as a YA. They were very tame by comparison of today’s books … even if the hero and heroine were beyond their teen years.
I think it is difficult to define what the appeal is, but I’ll give it a try. In the case of Twilight, I think the appeal was everyone identified with Bella. The first time I read it (yes, I’ve read it twice), I was transported back to my high school years when I was that awkward teen who felt out of place in the high school world. Actually, I think that is probably the appeal of all of these books. Identifying with character. Remembering what it was like to be that age, fumbling around through our worlds, trying to discover who we are as people. And maybe part of it is getting the chance to see the world through our teens’ eyes, discover what issues they have to face and what bothers them. And the stories are so interesting and engaging. What more could you ask for?
Margay
since i don’t read YA, I can’t really answer that question. But, I plan to remedy that. I’m gonna buy me some YA!
LOL, Kath. I’ve seen your picture. You’re not that old
.
Edie, I remember you and Amy talking about those books. I must get one.
I haven’t read that many myself, Cynthia, but those I have read have all been excellent.
Thanks for the new title, LaDonna!
Liz, I know I read a lot of Harlequin / M&B romances when I was about 15. I think I scored a box of them from somewhere.
Margay, I agree. The moment we think something is engaging, it means we’ve bought into the story and are along for the ride.
Go, Karin
. Let me know if you read any really good ones.