Growing Bookworms – Young Adult Fiction #YAfiction #GrowingBookworms
Posted: August 14, 2024 Filed under: Books, Growing Bookworms, Young Adult | Tags: Growing Bookworms, Writing to be Read, Young Adult Fiction 23 Comments
Young Adult fiction
What is young adult fiction?
Young adult fiction, abbreviated as YA, is fiction aimed at a reading audience aged between thirteen and eighteen years old.
YA fiction is intended to bridge the gap between middle-grade fiction and adult fiction. It is more emotionally and thematically advanced than middle-grade fiction.
Characteristics of young adult fiction?
- The characters are young adults in the same age group as the target audience;
- The language and writing style are designed to be relatable to the target audience;
- Common themes explored in YA novels are personal identity, self-discovery, and the transition to adulthood. Friendship, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality are frequent sub-themes;
- YA novels often present dilemmas relating to the themes and sub-themes that face young adults; and
- YA novels are generally fast paced, emotional, and end on an optimistic note.
A list of fantastic YA books
I have read all of the following YA books and recommend them highly:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
The Book Thief by markus Zusak
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Holes by Louis Sachar
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. By Judy Blume
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A few excellent quotes from YA books
“His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of mans heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.”
― William Golding, Lord of the Flies
“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
I have written a YA novel, Through the Nethergate. It is intended to make young people think about technology, politics, extremism, and the potential threats they pose to peace and cohesiveness in our world. Of course, things have deteriorated significantly in the world since I published this book in 2018, so its messages still ring frighteningly true.

About Robbie Cheadle

Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fifteen children’s book and three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael’s new Southern African Safari Adventures series is aimed at teaching young children about Southern African wildlife in a fun and entertaining way. Each book contains a rhyming verse story about a particular animal, as well as illustrations by Robbie Cheadle, photographs and links to video footage about that animal.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
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This segment of “Growing Bookworms” is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.

The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.
Purchase Your Copy Now.
Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-HeatherHummingbird
Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-TimothyTurtle
Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/MBF-CharlieChickadee
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Robbie, a first-rate overview of young-adult fiction. I have read 11 of the 15 books you mentioned, and they are indeed excellent. Some, of course, can be categorized as both YA and adult novels.
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Hi Dave, you may well be right about the categorization of these books. Three different sources relegated them to YA.
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I always appreciated the books I read when I was growing up that featured those who mirrored my age and circumstances!
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Hi Annette, I read everything I could get my hands on but I did like books with young protagonists ⭐️💕
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Hi Joy, I think that is so wonderful. Being in the teaching world is very rewarding 💕. I do like to try knew things 😁
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Fab post, thank you Robbie and Kaye Lynne.
When I started reading this postI thought – I’ve never read any YA.
Turns out Ive read 5 on the list.
Be well!
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Hi Resa, lots of adults love YA books. I read A Wrinkle in Time when it was recommended to me last year
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I love that you are such an avid reader! 🌟
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😊💕
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Applauding you once again, Robbie. You’re talent has no end!!!💓
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You are very kind, Cindy 🤗💕
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Honest truths❣️
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A good YA book is perfectly suitable for adults too. I just recently re-read “A Wizard of Earthsea” myself. (K)
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I agree, Kerfe. I read A Wrinkle in time last year after it was recommended to me 💕
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[…] Continue reading Robbie’s post here. […]
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Robbie, your YA list is spot on. I would like to add Wonder, by R.J. Palacio
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Hi Jennie, thank you, and for your addition. I don’t know that book but I’ll look it up 💜
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Oh Robbie, you will love, love the book!! So will your boys. It’s my #1 YA book.
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🌻💛
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I was assigned several of the books on your list when I was in high school, but they weren’t classified as YA, I’d never heard of YA until I was well out of college.
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I also read some of these during my school years, Liz. I never heard of any categories except children’s books or adults books until I was much older 💗
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I think the rise of Amazon was a big part of all the categories and subgategories that have evolved.
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