In its second turn at The Camel, the JRW Writing Show this past Thursday, July 25th, featured a two-part look at the booming YA genre. Panelists Lana Krumwiede, author of the middle grade award-winning novel Freakling; and Lucinda Whitehurst, lower school librarian for St. Christopher’s School both offered their unique insights into YA literature. Valley Haggard moderated the discussion.
The panelists tackled the definition of Young Adult, or YA. Lana commented that the label can mean different things depending on location, e.g. library vs. bookstore. Lucinda and Lana offered a guideline of YA as being for ages 12 and up and middle grade ages 7-11, though Lucinda added that the lines between them are fluid. Lana and Lucinda both discussed the age of the protagonist and how that influences the age of the audience.
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