Radical Reads: 101 Ya Novels on the Edge

Radical young adult fiction can be edgy and raw, which is why young adults who read it find it to be very relevant to their lives. Teens struggling with issues in today's society can often recognize themselves and identify their problems in the fictional lives they read about. The books are often accused of being dark, gritty, and bleak because they deal with subjects like incest, teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, gangs, prejudice, violence, drugs, or other complex problems. Central characters can be quite mature and multidimensional and plot lines are complex. This work identifies 101 books and presents them in a way that will help the librarian defend their presence in the library or classroom, the parent who wants to know what their child is reading, and the teen who is looking for a "Rad Read". Entries include character lists and sections on subject areas and major themes. The section on "risks" will alert adults to mature themes, while the section on "strengths" will help defend these books against their critics.

Joni Richards Bodart is the Reference Librarian and Computer Liaison for the Woodbury Branch Library of the Denver Public Library System and Adjunct Professor in Library and Information Services at the University of Denver.