By Harlow Essex

LA Times writer Susan Carpenter notes the influential progression of Young Adult books in the mainstream. Specifically, Carpenter takes note of the adult public’s interest in literature about and for young adults.

Book series like Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Lightning Thief, and The Book Thief have become increasingly popular with many adults. It’s usual for librarians, parents, and teachers to have an active interest in what the youth is reading and liking. Nowadays, popular adventure, romance, and fantasy novels about teenagers intrigue just about everybody, attributing intelligent writing and exciting narratives as key ingredients everyone can appreciate.

I personally heard about Twilight from an older colleague who enthusiastically raved about its intense teen vampire drama. I then found out Cayla, (age 12) whom I baby-sit for, had read all 4 books in a matter of two months. In recollection, I can say the same happened with Harry Potter when I realized I had been reading it the same time my mother, boyfriend, and younger cousin were.

What does this all mean? Perhaps we as adults still want to connect with the youth of today, or maybe we have a lot more in common than we think?

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