Deborah Hall-Branch

Gone are the days when just an older voice displayed the protagonist in those somewhat steamy, murder mysteries, sci-fi novels. Most of us as we read envisioned pictures of aged adults with sinister motives. With technology rapidly advancing, Gossip Girl coming on the scene our teens have developed an interesting eagerness for life’s realities, the protagonist age gender is now reflecting more the sophisticated teenage population.

They not only welcome the young adult literature, but many are aspiring themselves to one day join their peers in becoming a New York’s Best Seller. Even I fell in love with Stephanie Perry Moore’s “Payton Skky’s” series. And, now so many more authors; such as, Jacquelin Thomas who received the 2008 NAACP award for her teen novel “Divine Confidential” has geared towards reaching our teenage population. The whole Divine series is a great inspirational way of helping them understand marriage and responsibility.  These authors and so many more have accomplished a magnificent skill to capture the minds of today's teenage readers.  

Don’t think for one minute that the publishing houses have not paid attention to not only the spare revenue these teens have to buy books, but also their ingenious gifts to write. It’s definitely turned into a global phenomenon. At long last, they’ve stepped into a genre that brings a welcomed challenge!

Be the first to check out Simon & Schuster’s Teen Best Seller’s List: www.simonandschuster.com/search