Many teenagers do not seem to read much. They are busy with their video games and homework, and rarely do we find that exceptional teenager who enjoys the company of a good book. Much of this is due to the author’s inability to capture their attention and hold it for the entirety of the book. However, some authors do possess these skills. Popular authors who we often see their books become big screen hits in later years have accomplished this task, and acquired a solid group of fans that have helped the authors progress their careers. More importantly, these authors provide the opportunity for young adults in our age to get lost in a book. This indeed is a rare sight with the introduction of computers to our era. Here, I will look at Suzanne Collins, J.K. Rowling and Gary Paulsen and explain why their books are suited to young adults. My favorite young adult books are from these writers.
Two female authors of young adult books who are widely read
The Hunger Games (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My first favorite author of young adult books is Suzanne Collins. Until recently, many people knew nothing about Suzanne Collins and her ability to vividly display images within the heads of her readers with select word choice and dazzling story line in books such as Hunger Games. Personally, I’m not a big fan of reading. I never enjoyed it in my high school classes, and certainly don’t pick up text books to read in College. In fact, I despised reading for entertainment as well. I had far better luck playing sports, hanging with friends and focusing on my studies. Picking up the book for the first time, I never dreamed of finishing it. Two days later, I was beginning the second book. Interestingly enough, this was not the first time I, or others, have been exposed to her works. She actually worked on several television shows for Nickelodeon. She has the ability to inspire readers and audience members of all mediums. Suzanne Collins writes with meaning. She enables a reader to add themselves into the action, and allows readers to feel empathy for the fictional characters. This is quite a feat, because practically speaking, it’s impossible to understand another’s feelings without going through that particular person.
Suzanne’s description of the environment in Hunger Games is phenomenal. She describes a futuristic environment in poverty, with the exception of a few districts and the marvelous city of Panam. She uses colorful literature to illustrate the environment, allowing us to enter the world for ourselves. Overall, Suzanne’s ability to make a book both interesting, descriptive, and surprising, is the reason why I choose her as one of my favorite authors for young adult books. Suzanne also levels with her readers. Her word choice is appropriate and the book is easy to understand. As you read her series, the book fills you with instant questions regarding what will happen next. Heightened suspense urges readers to carry on with the book, through tiring eyes and weary bodies. Although Suzanne Collins is certainly a great author, she does not have the only book that has made it to the big screen.
Coat of arms of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry - Harry Potter book series, J.K Rowling. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
J.K Rowling would be my second choice of authors of young adult books. J.K Rowling is simply magical. Author of the infamous Harry Potter series, J.K Rowling created an entire world starting with a napkin. She has a good imagination and has the ability to describe these vastly detailed worlds to paint an image in our minds. J.K Rowling is probably the most well-known author for teenagers of recent years. Although other writers are imaginative, J.K Rowling is able to reach her audience. She has the ability to bring emotion out of her audience with a few words.
It’s not strange that popular young adult books are made into movies
Transitioning between the movies and the book is difficult; the movies don’t capture everything the books provide their readers. The book is filled with dense material, filled with mystical descriptions of Hogwarts and other places. Rowling’s writings keep the audience hungering for more. Her ability to use cliffhangers effectively allows her to transition between books seamlessly. She portrays emotion in characters so well, that we can feel what they feel, and understand their point of view. What many do not know is J.K Rowling was going through a particularly difficult time when she started the Harry Potterseries. She was rejected multiple times yet persisted to get the book accepted for publication. The book represents the epitome of overcoming fears. Each character has their fears to overcome, and I think the book represents herself overcoming her own fears of being rejected. The book reminds us that good overcomes evil, and to face our fears, rather than letting them scare us into running. But let’s briefly look at a male author now, often overlooked.
My third and final choice of young adult books author is Gary Paulsen. As young teenagers we read him for class, and I always thought he was a gifted artist. He had a great ability to succinctly describe events in a meaningful way that a reader could easily interpret and give meaning to. Paulsen is a gifted writer who wrote the book Hatchet. This book is probably his most well-known work. Paulsen, in my opinion writes with suspense. He’s talented in describing physical events and how things happen. The accident that occurs in Hatchet is a great example of that. Paulsen instills urgency in his readers. His books keep you on your feet, waiting until the next action scene. Gary Paulsen was one of the first authors I actually enjoyed reading. He had the ability to keep me entertained with words and expressions; a task not easily done by any author. Although many authors claim they are incredible with words, Gary truly is moving. Gary Paulsen was the first author I read and I simply could not put the book down. All in all, Suzanne Collins, J.K Rowling, and Gary Paulsen are three of the best authors of young adult books.