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The Coolest Alternate Histories Are For Young Adults
Young Adult Books Will Save Science Fiction

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UndineElephnot
06/18/09

In reply to The Coolest Alternate Histories Are For Young Adults
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between YA science fiction and "regular" science fiction? I'm a 40 year old guy. When I was a teen, I was reading regular science fiction because I wanted to read the same books that my father was reading. What defines YA science fiction? Are the main characters teenagers? Is the sexual content toned down?
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Alexis
06/18/09

@UndineElephnot: Honestly, a novel only what a publisher decides it is. YA is a pretty new term which is why you often see old classic sci-fi novels catagorized in "regular" sections and "teen" sections. Take Ender's Game or Have Space Suit Will Travel, for example.

Not all stories involving teenagers are necessarily YA and not all stories that only involve adults is "regular" fiction, but there are certain standards. It's mostly defined as fiction that has an intended audience of teenagers. Often, the sexual themes can be toned down or on par with more adult titles. The sky is really the limit on YA.
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Rasselas
06/18/09

In reply to The Coolest Alternate Histories Are For Young Adults
How much of the YA explosion is, for want of a better word, genuine, and how much a post-Harry Potter goldrush?
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Alexis
06/18/09

@Rasselas: While the latter would be my first cynical reaction, when it comes to the YA industry I think that young people are more excited than ever to read. The demand in that market is huge because of HP and Twilight, but that leads to kids actually branching out and reading things that aren't endorsed by MTV. It's sad that those two series were stepping stones, but I'd rather have a kid read something than nothing at all.
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Charlie Jane Anders
06/18/09

@Rasselas: A lot of the most popular stuff isn't fantasy at all, but *very* science fictional. And as I've detailed in several posts in the past, there's a *TON* of post-apocalyptic and dystopian future YA, where only a couple of young people realize how messed up everything is.
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Rasselas
06/18/09

@Charlie Jane Anders: Interesting. Does the popularity of the SF YA vs. F YA track the respective markest shares in the adult sector?
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Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
06/18/09

In reply to The Coolest Alternate Histories Are For Young Adults
I find myself reading a number of YA books even at my advanced age. They still believe in plot, prose you can read, and likable characters.

Turtledove (natch) has a whole series of YA alt-hist books which I'd recommend to all kids and many adults.
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