You can't Judge a Book by its Genre

This New York Times article has gotten people in the YA community stirred up, and for good reason. The author states, among other things, that adults should read adult fiction and that young adults should read young adult fiction. I infer (indignantly!) from his sarcastic mockery of the genre that he determines young adult literature to be less intellectually stimulating than adult fiction. 

Firstly, I have a problem with this writer because, like so many critics of YA literature, he didn't even read the books he is criticizing! So how does he know?

Let's try it out.  And I'm only going to discuss books I have actually read.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein vs. Castles By Julie Garwood

I enjoyed The Hobbit. It is packed full of detailed fantastical descriptions, the characters are lively and memorable, and the world of Middle Earth is really one that a reader can get lost in. There are lessons to be learned about greed, vengeance, bravery, and cleverness through the characters. There are in depth analysis of the created languages to be studied. It is a book that can be read and reread, with new meaning and details to be found each time. It has been studied by universities and enjoyed by readers young and old for decades.

I also enjoyed Castles. It is a formulaic romance novel, and with enough adult content to have been forbidden to me as a teenager. It's quick, easy, and has a happy ending with plenty of steamy encounters between Alessandra and Colin before it gets there. It doesn't require a lot of thought or a large vocabulary to enjoy Castles. You probably have never heard of it before now unless you are a prolific Julie Garwood reader.


Both books have their merits if they are read purely for entertainment. If they are read for intellectual stimulation, however, I would have to vote that The Hobbit wins. That's one victory for YA.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card vs. Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Now don't get me wrong, I am a huge Dresden Files fan. I've read all of the books and have even had the pleasure of shaking Jim Butcher's hand. But on literary merit and intellectual stimulation, I have to vote for Ender's Game, giving another victory to YA.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery vs. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Again, I love both of these books for different reasons. Anne of Green Gables is an endearing story which depicts life on Prince Edward Island in the early 1900's with beautiful, cheerful descriptions. Oryx and Crake is a sometimes terrifying apocalyptic meltdown story that can give anyone with any political sense goosebumps. While I might cast a tie on literary merit, I have to give the victory to Oryx and Crake. The Adult book wins for intellectual stimulation!

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot vs. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


Do I have to explain this one? Pride and Prejudice wins for being the most awesome and classic romance story of all time. Lizzie and Mr. Darcy's love is IMMORTAL.Mia Thermopolis, while entertaining, is also kind of annoying.  P&P wins.

And the winner is...neither!

So that's a 2-2 tie. My point is that it depends on the book. Some YA is better than some adult literature and some adult literature is better than some YA. Categorizing a genre and slandering it is small minded and makes one look like a fool.  Especially if the slanderer hasn't read any books in that genre! Books necessarily must be taken on a case-by-case basis. Genres are only useful as guidelines and marketing tools. You never know what you might enjoy, or find intellectually stimulating, until you try it!

I could go off on the rest of the logical fallacies in that poorly written opinion piece, but it would take me the rest of the night. Major fail, NYT. Major fail.