6 Talented Authors Penning Young Adult Fiction
Young adult literature is a popular genre for teens and adults alike. From realistic books to works of fantasy, these compelling stories follow young protagonists as they deal with both external and internal obstacles. If you want to add some more YA to your bookshelf, check out the talented authors listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
YA Authors Worth Checking Out
Young Adult Lit Belongs To Everyone
8 Great Films Based on YA Novels
- The Fault in Our Stars based on the book by John Green
- Divergent based on the book by Veronica Roth
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone based on the book by J.K. Rowling
- The Princess Diaries based on the book by Meg Cabot
- Holes based on the book by Louis Sachar
- The Hunger Games based on the book by Suzanne Collins
- Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist based on the book by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
- Bridge to Terabithia based on the book by Katherine Paterson
Important Literacy Statistics
- 12%: Percentage of world population that could read and write in 1820
- 86%: Percentage that could read and write in 2015
- 2/3: Illiterate people worldwide who are women
- 85%: Juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system that are functionally illiterate
- More than 60%: Prison inmates who are functionally illiterate
- 90%: Welfare recipients who are high school dropouts
- 2/3: Students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade that end up in jail or on welfare
- 53%: Percentage of fourth grade students who said they read for recreation
- 20%: Percentage of eighth grade students who said the same
- 30 million: Number of U.S. adults who cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third-grade level
- 1/6: Young adults who drop out of high school
Organizations That Promote Literacy & Reading
If you want to spread your love of literature with those in need, then you should consider looking into these non-profit organizations that promote literacy for people of all ages
The Evolution Of YA
In Depth
Over the past few years, young adult novels have surged in popularity. The authors weaving these tales incorporate a wide variety of themes and situations into the narratives, from the rush of first love, to international murder mysteries. Here, in no particular order, are writers publishing compelling young adult stories.
Starting off the list at #1 is Annie Woods, who writes the Angelheart Saga series, which includes First Came Forever and Forever Disguised. The books follow eighteen-year-old Erica Lindell as an unexpected meeting changes the course of her life. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, the author divides her time between that city and New York.
Accolades that Woods has received for her work include a nomination for LitFest 2020 Author of the Year Award, and recognition for First Came Forever from such outlets as The Introverted Book Nerd, Bound to Writing, and Dark Raven Reviews.
Accolades that Woods has received for her work include a nomination for LitFest 2020 Author of the Year Award, and recognition for First Came Forever from such outlets as The Introverted Book Nerd, Bound to Writing, and Dark Raven Reviews.
At #2 is Laura Sibson, whose novel, The Art of Breaking Things, follows the story of Skye, a senior in high school, who must confront painful memories when her mother's former boyfriend reenters the picture after many years. Following a career in undergraduate counseling, the author pursued a master's degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Sibson conducts classroom visits and workshops, and attends conferences where she speaks on the process of writing and publishing to audiences from middle school into adulthood. She's made appearances at the Burlington County Library, Collingswood Book Festival, and The Community School. She lives in Philadelphia.
Entering the list at #3 is Phil Stamper, author of The Gravity of Us, which made Cosmopolitan's list of The 10 Best Young Adult Books You Literally Won't Be Able to Put Down. He has a bachelor of arts in music from the University of Dayton, and master of arts in publishing with creative writing from Kingston University.
He has a bachelor of arts in music from the University of Dayton, and master of arts in publishing with creative writing from Kingston University.
Stamper started his career in Washington, DC in nonprofit public relations, writing press releases and news stories. He moved on to work in development for Penguin Random House in New York City. He has attended Book Expo, where he participated in the LGBTQ in Young Adult panel. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband and their dog.
In the #4 spot is Natalie C. Anderson, an American writer and international development professional based in Geneva, Switzerland. She has worked with non governmental organizations and the United Nations on refugee issues around the world, primarily in Africa. She previously did a stint with AmeriCorps in Seattle.
Anderson was selected as an Associates of the Boston Public Library Children's Writer in Residence. She is the author of City of Saints and Thieves, a murder mystery set in Kenya, and Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday, about a young refugee forced to become a child soldier.
Anderson was selected as an Associates of the Boston Public Library Children's Writer in Residence.
Coming in at #5 is Ann Jacobus, who writes children's and young adult fiction, teaches writing, and volunteers with San Francisco Suicide Prevention. She's published short fiction, essays, and poetry in anthologies, journals, and magazines, and is the author of the thriller, Romancing the Dark in the City of Light.
Originally from Texas, Jacobus has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a BA from Dartmouth College. She's made appearances at the Bay Area Book Festival, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, and on the Society of Young Inklings podcast.
Coming in at #6 is Kristina Perez, author of The Sweet Black Waves Trilogy, a retelling of the story of lovers, Tristan and Iseult. The other two titles in the series are Wild Savage Stars and Bright Raven Skies. Kirkus Reviews hails the female characters in the first book as vivid, powerful, and passionate.
The other two titles in the series are Wild Savage Stars and Bright Raven Skies.
Perez holds a PhD in medieval literature from the University of Cambridge, and has lectured on vampires in western culture at the National University of Singapore. As a journalist, her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal Asia, Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, and the South China Morning Post.
