One characteristic is the creation of a believable but disturbing future world. In '1984', which is an inspiration for many YA dystopias, the totalitarian regime is both terrifying and somewhat believable. In young adult dystopian books, there is often a group or society that is being oppressed, which makes the readers feel sympathy and want to see change. And there is usually an element of hope, no matter how small, that things can get better, as in 'The Giver' where Jonas tries to bring change to his community.
Good dystopian YA books often have a unique and oppressive setting. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', the Capitol's control over the districts creates a sense of extreme oppression. They also usually have a strong - willed protagonist, like Katniss in the same book, who challenges the system. Another characteristic is the exploration of themes such as freedom, equality, and power. These books make readers think about the importance of these concepts.
Good young adult fiction books often have relatable characters. Teens can see themselves in the protagonists, whether it's their insecurities, dreams, or struggles. For example, in 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', Charlie's experiences of high school and growing up are very real to many readers. Another characteristic is engaging plots. They keep the readers hooked, like the mystery in 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'.
One of the best is 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where children are forced to fight to the death in an annual event. Another great one is 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth. It presents a society divided into factions based on different virtues. And 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner is also popular. In it, a group of boys are trapped in a maze and have to find a way out while facing various challenges.
Another great 2018 young adult dystopian book is 'Sky in the Deep' by Adrienne Young. It has a unique setting with Vikings - like tribes in a harsh and unforgiving world where survival and loyalty are key themes.
Good young adult historical fiction books often have relatable characters. For example, in 'The Book Thief', Liesel is a character that young adults can easily connect with. They also have accurate historical details. In 'Code Name Verity', the details about the World War II era, like the planes and the spy operations, are well - researched. And they usually have a strong theme, like the importance of hope in 'Out of the Dust' during a tough historical period.
Young adult fiction books typically explore coming - of - age stories. They may address topics like family relationships, peer pressure, and educational challenges. For instance, in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before', the main character has to navigate her relationships with boys and also deal with her family and school life. The books also often feature diverse characters to reflect the real - world youth population.
One great dystopian book in young adult fiction is 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where children are forced to fight to the death in an annual event. Another is 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth. It takes place in a society divided into factions based on different virtues. 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner is also good. It features a group of boys trapped in a maze with no memory of their pasts.
One key characteristic is that they capture the intensity of first love. In books like 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', which has elements of teen romance, the feelings are described in a way that makes you remember your own first love or crushes. They also tend to have simple yet engaging writing styles. This makes it easy for teen readers to get into the story. Plus, they show different types of relationships. Not all teen romances are the same. Some are about new love, like in 'Since You've Been Gone', and some are about rekindling an old flame or dealing with unrequited love.
These books often explore complex emotions in a way that is accessible to young adults. They can handle themes like love, loss, and friendship with a certain rawness. They also may have a coming - of - age element, where the main character goes through a significant transformation. The settings are usually contemporary, so it could be a high school, a city, or a small town that young readers can easily visualize. There's also a sense of hope or a positive message in most of these books, even when dealing with difficult topics.
Mystery young adult fiction books often have a young protagonist. They usually involve a central mystery that the character is trying to solve. For example, in 'The Mysterious Benedict Society', the kids are trying to figure out what Mr. Benedict's mission is all about. There's also often a sense of adventure, as the characters explore different places or situations in search of clues. And they usually have some kind of twist at the end, like in 'The Inheritance Games' where the big revelation at the end changes everything we thought we knew.
Many of them had a focus on the emotional lives of the characters. For example, in 'Die for Me', the main character's relationship with the vampire was not just about the supernatural aspect but also about love and loss.