I am so bummed I will not be able to join this chat tonight. This is something that I feel strongly about, as I started Mundie Moms for a place for fans of Cassie's book and YA books to come and discuss them. To me, YA books aren't just for teens. They are for teen and adults alike.
The great thing about YA books, is they can have two completely different messages and meanings for teens and adults. As adults, we can read these great books and remember what it felt like falling in love for the first or dealing w/ the normal problems we all face growing up. For teens, they are dealing w/ these emotions or topics now.
BUT, we're not reading books that are dealing with what it was like growing up when we did. Many of the YA books being released now deal with harsher topics, as in reality, teens now are dealing with a lot more stuff than we did. That's not saying all of us are old or anything (coughs), but times are tougher and so are many of the choices and things teens are facing now.
Make sure you let your voice be heard tonight. YA is getting a bad rap and it shouldn't be. Sometimes YA books are the only strong hold that some teens have in facing their struggles and breaking through on their own.