So I just read this interesting article about removing the "YA" label from books. The author argues that because so many books have crossover appeal, labeling books as "YA" is kind of unnecessary.
Books like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, The Book Thief, and lots more were written originally for teens, but became really popular with adults. Likewise, books like The House on Mango Street, Girl With a Pearl Earring, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Girl, Interrupted and more were originally written for adults, but became relevant to teens.
The author calls her article "A Proposal, a Fantasy" because people want to keep this label in place for different reasons: some parents are concerned that this means there won't be a safe section to steer their children towards; others are saying that removing this label would mean there would be just two separate categories - adults and children. While YA isn't quite adult, it's most definitely not in the children's category. People have been tweeting at Headbuzzer with their many opinions!
See, we at Random Buzzers already know that YA books are great and they can be for everyone - the label is just a label. It seems that when people get upset about removing this or snub the label, it's because they already have some preconceived notion of what YA is about in their minds.
What do you think, Buzzers? Should the YA Label stay?
HippesBeuTBooks: I really wish they would drop the YA label! There are so many books that can be read by people of all ages and labels can create an unnecessary stigma!
Iheartboox: I think there should be some kind of label. I like the YA label, and I know lots of adults who specifically shop for YA books because they are awesome books without all the "junk" some adult books have.
girlwizabook33: I think the label should stay. It's just good to know what tou're reading-- i love both adult and YA, but there are times when I want to read about characters my own age and times when I'd like to read about older characters.
Dell: Couldn't agree more! :)
koalialoalo:
I actually think that having the YA label is better because it not only tells me that it's not a children's book and meant for more mature audiences but also that it's most of the time shorter, a lighter story, and with less of a serious story line.
Most adult books that I've read are quite dramatic and serious, with more mature themes in them. Therefore I like having the option of reading a good, well-rounded story that isn't too heavy on the heart.
If anything, I wish there were a bit more labels because YA can apply to really mundane "teen" novels as well as more mature "young adult" novels. And I really do hate getting my hands on a YA novel and finding out it's really about some immature high school student with whom I can't relate to at all.
ChristinaB:
Count me in as a parent who wants a section to steer my teen toward.
In a YA section, I KNOW there's no chance of her stumbling across any '50 Shades' type of book. ;)
I think it should stay.
LoveyDoveyBooks: I honestly don't care whether the label stays or goes. If a book has an appealing blurb on the back I'll check it out. Whether it's YA, adult, or in between has no effect on what I choose. I'm an equal opportunity reader :)
HwaSunKang: I think that they should keep the YA label because the hassle to drop it wouldn't be worth it.
EpicVanillaSky: In my opinion I think the YA label should stay! Just like you said 'a label is just a label', it doesn't matter the age group it's just a simple reference so that nothing could be misunderstood. Therefore I think the YA label should stay; it's not bothering anyone so why make a big deal? :)
Narcisse: I can see the benefits of keeping it, because it does give (particularly younger) teens a relevant section to head toward when looking for a book to read. But at the same time, the stigma that is placed on books labeled as YA is that they're somehow dumbed down or possess less relevance or quality or that the writing is not as "good", and that's not at all the case. I agree that the people who think this way are likely those who have never picked up a YA book in their lives, or who maybe have just had bad luck with the few YA books that they have read. But poor quality books can be found in EVERY section of a bookstore, not just the YA one, and this stereotyping infuriates me. It is at the same time both helpful and frustrating.
court1363: I hope they don't drop the label, yeah many adults like them to but teens are still the targeted audience.
ElizabethK:
I think it should stay because in one of the libraries I go to there is about four set of shelves dedicated to YA Fiction and Non Fiction. It is so much easier to find books that are targeted for teens. I'd rather not search the adult shelves for books that shouldn't belong.
I read some adult books and there are completely different feel to them. There should be no reason to take away that label.
Crazy_Girl: I think the ya label should stay. A lot of the time, adult books have more mature content that would be inappropriate for younger audiences. They should know what they are getting.
Evie: i don't think there needs to be a label. everyone is essentially going to read what ever story appeals to them no matter the label.
Dell: I personally find the YA label helpful, however it would be nice if there were more than just three categories. I mean I don't believe that the labels provide a stigma but there's nothing that will transition you from YA into adult fiction - the ones with more mature themes - like the way that the grade school lists transitioned you into eventually reading the "big kid books" that were set off separately from the little kid books, even the little kid chapter books.
journeythroughpages:
Maybe it's just me but despite character ages and what they contain, nowadays there's a stylistic difference between Adult, YA and Children's books. Most books written for adults, for example can't hold me attention as well because my brain doesn't mesh well with it stylistically, and as much as I may love the book it takes me forever to read. Children's books on the other hand are usually very light in style and I devour them in only a few hours. YA straddles the line stylistically between the two now. The writing is fast paced, straight-forward often (but not always) and can entrance me, but doesn't let me eat it in one go.
The label of YA helps me find what books I want to read. Of course I don't think that the label means you can't enjoy a book if you're not that age. It's a silly arguement that people feel like their pride is at risk as a book lover if say they are in their 20s but are reading Little House in the Big Woods, or Ella Enchanted (Which I am and I do so there). They want to believe that because the style is different that the writing is subpar, when really it's just not the case.
There's nothing wrong with an adult reading Harry Potter or books meant for the same audience give or take a few years, and I wish society would take a moment and realize how silly all of that is.
“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
― C.S. Lewis
SusieBookworm: There are plenty of adults (my mom, for one, and a lot of bloggers) who read YA. I think the label is a great way to separate books originally written for teens - and therefore ones that they can generally identify with more because of characters and ages, language, situations, general lack of smut, etc. - from books originally written with adults in mind, though, of course, after publication there's always crossover.
ishnate09: I am on the fence here. I think there should be a label, so that when teens look for books they know where they fit at the level of their maturity. But I do agree that a lot of adults including me enjoy reading YA fiction. But I think its really up to the parents discretion to see what their teenagers are reading. There are a lot of adult theme titles that are okay for young adults but then you have others like J.R. Ward, Jeanine Frost, Daniel Steel etc. type books that are not suitable for them that need labeling. I just think they should leave it, because imagine a teenager going into a bookstore and look for a book section thats right for them and they only see Children's Books and Adult Books. They are going to not want to read anything.
hp_4ever: Whether or not there is a label, if the book seems remotely appealing towards me... I will read it :D
Markella: I think that if the books appeals to you, why care about the label! I guess some people care but with the crossover success of so many books, it's not a large factor for a lot of readers.
JaimeLynn7: I definitely think the label YA should be kept. I am 30 years old, but I read YA. I would say about 98% of the books that I read are YA. I don't like tons of cussing or sexual situations in the books that I read. While YA does have some of both, for the most part it is much more tame. I think if you took the label away, and mixed all of the YA and Adult books together, teens as well as older people like me who like YA books would have a harder time trying to find those books that we love. With the distinction between the two, I know exactly where to go at a library or a bookstore, and I know where to take my young adult niece and nephew. Why take the label away when it has worked just fine for a long, long time? People know what they like to read, and they know just where to go to get it. In my humble opinion!
Liviania: Oh, I loved Beth's article! I think the label can be useful; I'd prefer removing the stigma attached. Too many people think YA means watered or dumbed down.
manderzizawesome: Yes! It should most definitely stay! I'm a YA book blogger, so even thought it's a crossover sort of genre, it's what I do.
Caprubia: There are both pros and cons to dropping a YA label. However, I haven't heard any good alternatives though. I know that it has been brought up in the past to add a new label for the 16-25 year old crowd where the main characters are of college age and I think that would be a brilliant idea. The nice thing about having a YA label is that you know that the characters will all be about 14-17 years old. It just takes a while for people to realize that characters may be younger but their story lines may be more mature (like Hunger Games, not mature as in sex) than they expected.
TypingTiara: I understand why they want the label dropped but I can understand why it should be kept too. Its a tough situation...the best solution would be for everyone to just be more open-minded I guess.
dannywilly
You really should choose the right type of label to be able to give a good impression on many consumers who are awaiting the results of your.
home security systems
RoyKeller People who rush into choosing a new label is usually regret later why he did not choose and pause for you select the right label.
clinchdonovan
A label would indeed be very useful for many people form an opinion about what you've done and you do have to keep this label well.
math activities
albcl109
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
<a href="http://www.genesishealthinstitute.com/hrt.php/">http://www.genesishealthinstitute.com/hrt.php</a>
daniellionel We really should eliminate the bad label because labels are bad indeed be one of the issues that must be removed immediately and appropriate measures. Overcoming Fears
Wedding Casino Hire
They must have any reasons for deleting the logo. But I think they will change it with another logos.
Wedding Casino Hire
YosieMerald This can be done if many people work together in a times to find the proper label for the product that produced by the time then.
dempseyclink
Making a label can be a quite difficult thing in order you have to choose the right provider to make people know the label used.
Breeze Outdoor Furniture
JackWell Labels can be one of the big problems if you do not choose the type that will be used in your product. Everyone will judge this from the label you use.
clarabelle
Finding the right label and the name of a good design is difficult. But there are many people who would do other research to be able to get the best out of a label.
movie reviews
dominicburney This indeed may be one thing that can make you change an existing label with a new one. There are many people who are disappointed with the existing label and used before.
thermal paper rolls
FiftahDollet This news reminds me of something in a few years ago where I always watch this story all nigth long with my friends growshop
Aerowyn:
I enjoy this label- plenty of books honestly wouldn't make it as children's or adults'. Some books hit on touching subjects- rape, self-harm, teenage pregnancy- but don't do it a manner that most adult books are written, i.e. being completely/nearly serious. I'm all for mixing it up a little, but I say keep it!
albcl108
Very nice and informative post…. Keep posting…!!!
Airlinesplanet
albcl108
Excellent post. I want to thank you for this informative read, I really appreciate sharing this great post. Keep up your work. Thanks for this very useful
http://www.executivescorporate.com/albcl108
I am once again feeling happy and proud to say that this is my favorite web site.
http://www.leatherstock.co.uk/albcl109
I am very much impressed from your post. It has amazing information. I learned lot of new things which explores my knowledge in various developments. So I must appreciate your efforts on posting these information.
http://www.5starhotelsindubai.net/albcl109
Congratulations for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information.
Compare car at cheapcar4hire & Find cheap car hirealbcl109
I am so delighted to see this particular kind of content articles. I appreciate lots and hope to determine another terrific posts in your blog . I concur with most of the things you stated, and i adore the valuable points you revealed. With many congratulations and wish you the most effective with your internet web site.
Compare car at sleekcarhire.co.uk & Find cheap car hirealbcl109
Hey, I appreciate the articles and outstanding design you got here! I have you bookmarked to keep up with any new posts. I would like to say congratulations for taking the time to share your thoughts and the time it took to post!! Two Thumbs up!
Cheap Car Rental and Discounts on Rental Cars at cheapcar4rentalsalbcl109
Congratulations on having one of the most sophisticated blogs I’ve come across in some time! It’s just incredible how much you can take away from something simply because of how visually beautiful it is. You’ve put together a great blog space, great graphics, videos, and layout. This is definitely a must-see blog!
contentarcade one of the best internet marketing solutionsSashaMae1996: I think parents thatbelieve that the ya section is any better that the adult section are tricking themselves. The ya books are about things that concern teens many of which also concern adults.
sd take care using drone