Keywords

young adult literature, YAL misconceptions, literary definitions

Abstract

Have you ever wondered what exactly can be considered young adult literature (YAL)? If you've paid much attention to the book world around you lately, you've probably noticed that there seems to be some misunderstanding about what fits the YAL label and what doesn't. Unfortunatelv, this confusion has led some teachers and parents to beliew that YAL is little more than cheap, pulp novels—the kind of stuff English teachers ought to teach their students to avoid. I understand some of the causes of this confusion and, in the space of this issue's column, plan to set things straight.

Original Publication Citation

“What is Young Adult Literature?” English Journal 88.1 (September 1998): 120-122.