The evolution of young adult literature and its growth and development in Australia : the guidance to write an Australian young adult novel

Abstract

This exegesis investigates how Australian Young Adult Literature has grown and developed to provide a guide and influence in the composition of a Young Adult novel. Literature has existed for centuries however, a unique genre targeting adolescents between 12 and 18 years can be seen to have emerged after the Second World War. In the last 60 years books written specifically for Young Adult (YA) readers have increased markedly, with 1.8 million YA books sold in Australia in 2017 (Steger, 2019). This research focuses on the global rise and contribution of YA authors, and closely examines the acceptance and recognition of Australian YA books. The historical evolution, growth and development of YA novels and their authors is identified, as are particular characteristics and attributes that aided in the development of a novel for young adults, which is an integral part of this Creative Arts Doctorate. The research is multi-faceted, focusing on the historical development of YA literature; interviews with established Australian authors; reviews by the Children's Book Council of Australia and detail from their judges on the award-winning YA books and novels pertinent to the area. The annual CBCA literary award-winning novels are reviewed and published in Reading Time. These provided an insight into the notable features and a rationale for their selection of annual Book of the Year for Older Readers. The reviews were written by a variety of critics but are governed by the parameters of the criteria used for the judging of the Book of the Year awards. This ensured comparability among the reviews. My research found that Australian YA novels have developed and diversified and reflect societal cultural changes. The transition to a more multicultural country is reflected in the novels produced in Australia from 1980""2019. Analysis of the historical development and examining the evolution of definitions and trends in literature and how that impacted on the YA genre is a focus of the research.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English