The young adult literature is relatively new - it just kind of exploded in the 2000s. When I grew up, there weren't bookstores with sections dedicated to teen lit, nor was my generation raised reading books written specifically for us. Because of that, today we still think of books for teens as children's books and so when you write a book that includes sensitive topics, it just seems even more controversial. What's troubling to me about that is these are issues adults know that teens deal with. Not writing about them makes them something we don't, or can't talk about.
Jay AsherYou can't stop the future You can't rewind the past The only way to learn the secret ...is to press play.
Jay AsherA lot of authors see their book being banned or challenged as a badge of honor. But for me, it's nothing but frustrating and upsetting. I hear from readers that my work encouraged them to ask for help or reach out to someone about the situation they're in. When you hear stories like that on a daily basis and then hear adults call for your work to be banned, it's proof of why the stigma around these issues is so dangerous.
Jay AsherAnd as I stood there in the hallwayโaloneโtrying to understand what had just happened and why, I realized the truth: I wasn't worth an explanationโnot even a reaction. Not in your eyes.
Jay Asher