Which is wrong?! I’m back with another Thursday’s Thoughts, which is my discussion series. Floored by Sara Barnard Oh oh I agree with this!!

When YA novels describe their main character as someone who could win a Gigi Hadid look-a-like competition, I cringe, because they’re missing a major chance to connect with their audience. , Lisa @ Reading, Writing, and Random Musings. Top 5 Tropes I Want More Of: Strong YA Female Lead.

But I have something to say that may shock an inexperienced YA writer: I do not automatically and inexplicably hate any of my classmates. Actually the best autism rep I’ve related to is rarely by #ownvoices authors oops. (Yikes, I know.) I have been left with cravings here and a void that needs filling! She’s such an amazing person, and her book holds a special place in my heart. I think that a lot of times when there is a discussion about medication it always focuses on the negative side effects that can happen, and never about the many benefits that a person can gain from taking their meds. I have been left with cravings here and a void that needs filling! I loved You Asked For Perfect! Then the an author can pull the “actually I never said they had bipolar” card and deny bad rep. ME TOO, OKAY. I want to know their stories and their thoughts. and thanks so much Sophie!

Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts! TROPES!? For many, reading is an escape. Characters who can’t get organised, forget the random things (haven’t changed clothes in a few days but are studying at a famous school), morose exhaustion, illegible handwriting, who are smothered by the guilt of things they used to be able to do but can’t. (It’s usually a lot longer than that, but bear with me.)

I also wrote a post about Mental Health Awareness Month and procrastinated so much that I almost missed the month. like,, can we just have characters supporting each other and being kind?? But not all teens are adorable, wise-cracking, defiant, sarcastic little squirts.

Stop. A mentally ill person isn’t someone else’s sole responsibility. I’d love to see more YA books featuring black Muslim characters.

I want #2 so baddddd. I sit here and cannot think of a YA book by a Black autistic writer published by the Big 5 in the last few years.

This is totally not it! I'm A Teenager And I Don't Like Young Adult Novels.

Books with great supporting parents that are actually there for their kids are rare!!

It definitely fits with his character, and I also love it because it shows that there are all different variations of autism. This isn’t dissing books where an event lead to a traumatised reaction, brains that struggle to heal, and permanent scars. This might be the biggest ‘mistake’ I see in YA fantasy, dystopian, crime, and even realistic novels. I want to see fantasy books where mental illness plays a bigger role. Find your yodel. Weight loss/gain due to medication. I just want the main characters to realize they can have emotional strength and not whine about everything, lol. These things should just be universal. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. , ➸ YA Anxiety Book Recommendations all of the above? It’s not always written for shock value.

I believe it will all be worth it … Being cured from a mental illness isn’t necessarily possible, however we can live fulfilling, happy lives! Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I am surrounded by teenagers five days of the week of over 75% of the year. I guess I have read a lot of YA female leads who I maybe wouldn’t call violent, but definitely combatant. Another trope or feature I love is meet cutes – who doesn’t love an accidentally sweet meeting?? I think as a society, we have a tendency to automatically dismiss genres that women (especially young women) really enjoy. Brave Enough by Kati Gardner – own voices You might also like it too. …I am exhausted writing that list because it’s not even an exaggeration. I wouldn’t mind some of these either – love your Halloween decorations! That’s always a worry for sure!! Oh you want to print and hang this in your library or bedroom or wherever? Seems you have to search for underrated books if you want disability rep. . And you’re totally right in that it can help make others more understanding. Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts! I know I don’t read that much historical fiction, but I’m always trying to expand my reading horizons, so if you have any awesome YA historical recommendations I’d love to hear them.
PLEASE.

Yes to all of these! Black people are murdered for the colour of their skin. However, there’s still a lot more work that needs to be done for YA to truly be inclusive. I just really enjoyed your post, and I feel very passionately about this topic!

But I AM a teenager. For your voice to be heard, in most states you must register before you can vote. I always felt Turtles All The Way Down was an INCREDIBLE #ownvoices narrative of OCD. Because it’s cool.

➸ YA Anxiety Book Recommendations (And I always go by the rule: if it’s #ownvoices, then they write their identities however they like.).

I agree with everything you said! You know what else depressed people might struggle with? We definitely need just more “incidental” diversity rep in books! I think publishing has some achinly deep gaps in how it cares and promotes disabled books. I like that idea. I definitely agree with all your points. (Also, will someone teach me how to french braid??) Etc.

It truly is so important and so stupid that its not talked about more. But to be honest, I don’t typically like reading young adult novels. ©2020 Verizon Media.

In order: blindness x 2, cancer equalling limb loss, lupus and cerebral palsy. Being stressed as one does. I excel. ( Log Out / 

I know in the past couple of paragraphs, I called myself a nerd and used words like, ‘preppy,″ goth,’ and ‘misunderstood.’

Bryson Keller was so WHOLESOME and I hate that I was so surprised.
Stereotypes.

I also quietly seethe when people say “woah isn’t that a bit much diversity?” NO.

Being stressed as one does. I know some people get tired of seeing the main female character facing obstacles with little to no trouble and overcoming everything being put in front of her, but I love it and always will!

This is a great post! And don’t tell teens they’re a burden. Under Rose Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall was really great (and ownvoices) though the thought processes of the main character (who has OCD, anxiety and agoraphobia) were so intense, it was a struggle to read at times.

WHY DO THEY HAVE THEIR LIFE SO WELL PUT TOGETHER. That means more to me than 10 comments! I would love more books about characters who don’t have a “reason” for their illness. (Unless the adult is the Main Character’s mom. I know, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I thought it’d be fitting to talk about four of the things that I want to see more of. But I have read a few of Adam Silvera’s other books and really enjoyed them. Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts!

Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts!

I’ve written a book with and autistic, adhd, spd and queer protagonist. The ownvoices authors bringing telling their stories?

Less tropes and less melodramatic drama would be nice because those are the two main reasons I tend to stay far away from the genre. I think that every person handles anxiety, and depression, and any other number of mental illnesses in very different ways, and I think a lot of stories treat these illnesses in similar ways, even if it’s a nuanced portrayal. Happy reading, happy writing, and happy blogging! ( Log Out /  Til you kiss me goodnight In three years (or in two months) the above sentence will illegible. Give your main characters diverse body types, different styles, and create a new definition of perfect.