Young adult literature consists of books written for people within the 12 to 20 age range that often depicts various experiences and challenges adolescents face as they grow older. However, adults outside of the intended age range can often be found browsing the young adult section of bookstores and libraries; some proudly give their new young adult book to the bookstore employee who is ringing up their purchases, and others feel ashamed that they are not buying books written and directed at adults. It is odd that even some college students feel this shame when they are, at least mostly, still within the young adult age range. This is especially true when, as Caroline Kitchener of The Atlantic highlights, 55% of people who read young adult literature are adults.

This begs the question: why are people so often deeply embarrassed at reading a category of books that they enjoy? One factor that heavily contributes to this question is the concept that young adult books are not widely recognized as literature, something that children are taught from a very young age that adults should and must read exclusively. This is quite simply not true. Literature is defined by Merriam-Webster as “writings in prose or verse.” It is only added as a subcategory that literature is “especially writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” Most people tend to focus on that additional “especially” aspect of the definition, but literature is not exclusively that. Therefore, young adult books are pieces of literature. 

The focus on the “especially” part of the definition of literature is heavily perpetuated in the academic world. According to many academics, “true” literature does not consist of young adult books. These ideas are instilled in people from a young age and continue to be instilled, so everyone, regardless of whether they go to college or not, is exposed to the idea that books like young adult books are not “true” literature. It is believed that academics must study “true” literature, which is essentially saying academics should not study young adult books. This is a trend that can clearly be seen in academic study.

In order to change this false thought process, schools need to alter the way they think of literature and the half-definition of literature they teach to students. Berry has begun to dismantle the notion that young adult books are not literature and that they should not be studied by academics, though there is still more work to be done. A young adult literature course is in Berry’s English rotation cycle. This is a great first step, but more young adult literature should be included in the various English courses offered. There are certainly young adult books that fit the topics of the classes, but they are excluded in place of “true” literature. This is not to be blamed on any specific professor. Yes, they did build the reading list and exclude young adult books from the academic world. However, many of them have been brought up with this false idea of what constitutes literature. They, and others, should not be blamed for falling into this mindset, but they should start trying to break free of it.

Of course, a lot can be learned from all types of literature, including the “true” literature that currently dominates academia at all levels; yet, young adult books still offer a unique perspective and lessons. While adult books may contain younger characters, they are side-lined. The book does not delve into their problems and thoughts as a young adult book does. For college students, the main characters in young adult books are around the same age as them and experiencing similar things. This relatability makes the book more fun to read, and this engagement will foster a love of reading in more students. Young adult books are unique in offering up a young adult perspective. This also means that it is mostly through young adult books that students can learn different ways of dealing with their problems and life lessons that they have not yet learned, unlike most adults.

            A good story is a good story no matter what genre it falls under. The various kinds of literature are beneficial for their own reasons, and they all deserve respect in the world of academia.