From: Robyn Murphy <robynlib>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 13:48:45 -0700 (PDT)

Merri Lindgren" wrote:

?Has the growing number of high-quality books with
"edgy" content in recent years been influenced by the establishment of the Michael L. Printz Award, given to books in the 12 through 18 age range? Is this a trend reflective of the times in which we live, or is it one that can be traced back through the history of young adult literature??

In order to answer this question, one must first look back at the history of YA literature. How long has it been around? I?m not sure what would be considered the first YA book, but Louisa May Alcott?s Little Women books were first published in 1868. I would imagine that in the 1950s most YA books would be fairly tame, like Nancy Drew (first published in 1930) and the Hardy Boys? any input from those who remember?
 Of course, ?The Catcher in the Rye? was also published in the 50s, and it?s still on banned book lists!

The Michael L. Printz award has only been given since 2000, and there were definitely ?edgy? YA books long before that. Francesca Lia Block?s ?Weetzie Bat? was first published in 1989, and is still popular enough to remain in print (along with all of its sequels). I think the award has brought this type of literature more into the spotlight, but I?m fairly certain that the trend of YA literature dealing with uncomfortable topics is likely something that has been going on for quite some time.

In the meantime, this site has an ?edgy? booklist. She also has a good (and short) essay on the topic here:

Robyn Murphy Dover, NH URI GSLIS student


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Received on Sun 04 May 2003 03:48:45 PM CDT