YAL Definition

Erica's Definition:
Young Adult Literature provides a more mature understanding of the self and the world to young adults. The stories within this drama have a sense of immediacy, rather than nostalgia and focuses primarily on an individual’s experience (particularly a teen protagonist).

YAL is frequently described as bildungsroman novels that tell of a young person’s experience of love, death, adult responsibilities, etc. Usually these coming of age stories capture the innocent passion of adolescence and the discovery of the layering complexity of human existence. The protagonist then begins to experience desires and consequences within becoming an adult and these landmark experiences then become the construction of character/identity, serving as a road map while on their journey.

Owen, Mary. "Developing A Love Of Reading:Why Young Adult Literature Is Important." Orana 39.1 (2003): 11. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.