From: Susanne Gervay <gervays>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2003 01:04:47 +1000

Hi there

This is such a relevant debate.

YA literature in my view has to be a mixture of humour, deep & meaningful issues, relationships, search for identity which includes sexuality, and ultimately hope.

Although I am an author, I am also a specialist in child growth & development, and adolescents are different to adults. They do not have the experience to understand that you weather the tough times and good times comes. Adolescence is a time of great sensitivity and self doubt. In this beautiful country Australia with so much opportunity, we have the highest teenage male youth suicide in the world. I find that shattering.

YA literature should be addressing youth issues and exploring ways to tackle the world positively, not in a didactic way but in a way that recognises the potential of youth and speaks to them.

Kids by the age of 12 can read most books. The only reason they read YA literature is if that literature is relevant and deals with the issues they want to explore.

A YA book should not be a cheap thrill. Australian publishers and writers are not going into areas that you have been talking about. YA literature here is brave and innovative. That seems very different to explicit sex for the sake of shock value.

Susanne Gervay gervays at bigpond.com
Received on Mon 19 May 2003 10:04:47 AM CDT