What criteria are used to designate fiction as young adult?
YA fiction is characterized by:
Themes of identity, independence, resiliency, growth, conflict resolution, social issues, relationships with parents and other adults, friendships, and citizenship.
Realistic, believable protagonists ages 13-19, who are 3-dimensional, dynamic, flawed, and developing. They demonstrate evolving positive values, make mistakes and poor decisions, have varied strengths and shortcomings, face real-life challenges, and participate in believable resolutions and outcomes.
Include adult characters who are realistic, and believable, are complex and 3-dimensional, and may be flawed, supportive, imperfect- that is, realistic and believable.
YA fiction is evaluated and selected for the collection if:
Reading good quality YA fiction supports students developing stronger life skills, as outlined in the Alberta Education Health & Life Skills program of studies, grades K-9.
YA fiction offers learning opportunities, and will broaden a student’s life experiences. This is a “safe” way to vicariously experience and observe serious social or global issues young adults may face in modern, mainstream culture, either first-hand, or through the media. Readers build tolerance, deepen compassion and empathy. Reading fiction supports a greater understanding of the complexity of modern Canadian and global issues.
Students know best their own family's value system and as such, are responsible for their reading choices. Students understand that if they are unsure of parental approval of a reading choice, they must talk to their parent(s), in the same way that they do when choosing activities, viewing movies, etc.
YA Fiction is not a reading level designation. YA fiction is written for a wide range of reading abilities and interests. Gratuitous or sensational elements of violence, profanity, or sexuality are never aspects of YA fiction selected for a school library.
YA Fiction is usually fiction written by authors who are intentionally writing for a YA audience. Included in our YA fiction section are also titles whose protagonists are young adult, although the intended audience is adult. Examples of these would be A Complicated Kindness (Toews, 2005), The Kite Runner (Hosseini, 2004), and Water for Elephants (Gruen, 2007).
YA fiction is characterized by:
Themes of identity, independence, resiliency, growth, conflict resolution, social issues, relationships with parents and other adults, friendships, and citizenship.
Realistic, believable protagonists ages 13-19, who are 3-dimensional, dynamic, flawed, and developing. They demonstrate evolving positive values, make mistakes and poor decisions, have varied strengths and shortcomings, face real-life challenges, and participate in believable resolutions and outcomes.
Include adult characters who are realistic, and believable, are complex and 3-dimensional, and may be flawed, supportive, imperfect- that is, realistic and believable.
YA fiction is evaluated and selected for the collection if:
- Resolutions and solutions include realistic, positive adult involvement.
- Have been positively reviewed in trusted, authoritative reviewing sources.
- Offers opportunities to challenge thinking and assumptions, and explore different perspectives.
- Sensitive issues, situations, and/or language must serve a purpose, or function, for character or plot development.
Reading good quality YA fiction supports students developing stronger life skills, as outlined in the Alberta Education Health & Life Skills program of studies, grades K-9.
YA fiction offers learning opportunities, and will broaden a student’s life experiences. This is a “safe” way to vicariously experience and observe serious social or global issues young adults may face in modern, mainstream culture, either first-hand, or through the media. Readers build tolerance, deepen compassion and empathy. Reading fiction supports a greater understanding of the complexity of modern Canadian and global issues.
Students know best their own family's value system and as such, are responsible for their reading choices. Students understand that if they are unsure of parental approval of a reading choice, they must talk to their parent(s), in the same way that they do when choosing activities, viewing movies, etc.
YA Fiction is not a reading level designation. YA fiction is written for a wide range of reading abilities and interests. Gratuitous or sensational elements of violence, profanity, or sexuality are never aspects of YA fiction selected for a school library.
YA Fiction is usually fiction written by authors who are intentionally writing for a YA audience. Included in our YA fiction section are also titles whose protagonists are young adult, although the intended audience is adult. Examples of these would be A Complicated Kindness (Toews, 2005), The Kite Runner (Hosseini, 2004), and Water for Elephants (Gruen, 2007).