UKYA discussion

What do you think separates UK YA books from other books?

The language? Like 'Mum', where US authors would say 'Mom'

Yes the language does make it different. Also, UK YA books are much grittier than US YA books, in my opinion. That's the case with most UK compared to US stuff though.

I've found that I'm able to understand UK YA books more because they're more relatable.

Contemporary is also a lot more realistic and I find it easier to read.

I think for me the school experience is so different in America and the UK. I find a lot of YA contemporary books set in American schools to blend into one with the sort of sterotypical characters and social groups. And obviously I think British humour can make a huge difference!

Yes! The humour really makes a difference.

I can understand UKYA more too because all of the terms aren't confusing!

I really think its to do with the UK having a much more open attitude to a lot of things. You can really see it in the difference in our TV, our shows tend to be overall more grittier, a bit ruder, and overall a lot more realistic (don't get me wrong I love US TV too!). I think the same is in books, especially in older YA.

I think a lot of it has to do with understanding the social context of a story as well as understanding the language and phrases used. I had to laugh when an American reviewer noted at the end of his review that I use "British spelling conventions" in Oranges for Christmas. Well duh! As a writer I feel I can set my books anywhere in the UK or Europe (Oranges for Christmas is set in Berlin) but that I would never set anything in the US because the social setting and language is too alien for me. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy American fiction. For me, one of the best YA writers ever is Robert Cormier. He was writing back in the seventies but his writing is as fresh and gritty as if it was written yesterday. I would totally recommend After the First Death.