Definiton of Young Adult Literature

What is Young Adult Literature?
This genre of text can be defined in an assortment of ways and with an array of terms and descriptions; so in essence, the definition of young adult literature is determined by the reader. As a prospective educator, I believe that young adult literature is the genre of texts that is suitable for young adolescent readers, ages 12-18. Works that are to be described as YAL are texts that fit the reading levels of this age range, and whose main characters are typically within the same age range, dealing with struggles and triumphs readers can easily relate to. I also think  that the genre of Young Adult Literature is changing as quickly as our society/culture is changing with time. Each generation of young people sparks new topics and styles, while some aspects of YAL make a more prominent impression on the genre. Through his article, "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions," Jeffrey Kaplan explores the changes and the consistencies of YAL. He states, "The trope that all young adult literature has in common is the search for identity. The dilemma though, is that in our new post-human age, young people are questioning not only their emotional identity, but also their biological identity or just 'what does it mean to be conventionally human?" (in discussion of science-fiction), (12).
As young adult literature is always changing, interpretations and reviews of the genre are also changing. Young adult literature authors need to always be writing with the times and for the current generation of young people if they hope to receive any response to their work. Kaplan also identifies with this need, "In a world of constant movement and flow, media images of advertising and commerce seep into our lives and strongly influence identity development. Hence, young adult literature and our interpretation of it as a genre of literary study have been profoundly altered as a result of this dramatic shift in world affairs," (16). Young adult literature to me, is a grouping of texts that people ages 12-18 are able to read and connect with; while authors of these texts accommodate to the cultural changes that surround this demographic of readers.

Kaplan, Jeffrey. "Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century: Moving Beyond Traditional Constraints and Conventions."  The Research Connection. (Winter 2005): 11-15. Print.