If a novel's protagonist is a teen does that automatically make it YA?

Question: If a novel's protagonist is a teen does that automatically make it YA!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Funny you should ask - there is an interesting essay in today's New York Times about just this question:

http://www!.nytimes!.com/2008/07/20/books/!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Absolutely not!. There are so many examples of books that were written about children or teenagers that are considered not just adult fiction but actual literature!. Unless the target audience is young adult, then it's just fiction!. Of course, a publisher may decide to market it as YA because they think it will have more success in that niche market!.

I think that anything that deals with deeper issues, that uses the story to make a point, expose a truth or comment on society is adult fiction, regardless of the character's age!. The classic example would be the two Alice novels by Lewis Carroll!. Although Alice was a child, the books themselves were indictments of the current cultural and political world!.

In the same way, I don't consider the Harry Potter books to be "young adult," as they deal with such deep issues as racism, self-sacrifice, mob mentality and even religion and faith!. Those books appeal to a very wide audience, and rightly so!. I think the publisher was mislead by Book 1, and marketed it as a book for children, never realizing the way the books would mature along with the main character!. That's why they had to introduce "children" and "adult" versions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Throw in a lot of sex and violence!. That will make sure nobody classifies it as YA, but then again, that might also make sure that no publishing company will touch it!. Kidding, of course, but take a look at your material!.!.!. is it even appropriate for the YA market!? Maybe it already has a lot of sex and violence and language in it!.

As for the question:

No, I don't think the age of the character will automatically make it YA!. I think it will be clear it's whatever genre you set out to create!. Unless you specifically tailored it for young adults, it just isn't YA, is it!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great article Megabyte, I was just browsing over that a few hours ago!.

No, it's not the age of the characters that classifies writing as Young Adult literature!. In theory it's done based on the themes of piece and the reading level of the writing!. Though sometimes they are marketed as such just because it makes the most business sense!.

I wouldn't classify Perks of Being a Wallflower as YA personally, I'd classify it as coming of age literature, but due to it's length, narrative frame, and easy use of language publishers market it YA, and it does very well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The link for the NY Times article didn't work for me, so maybe try this one:
http://www!.nytimes!.com/2008/07/20/books/!.!.!.

If that doesn't work, just search "young adult book" in the NYT search bar thing!.

The article is called: Essay - I’m Y!.A!., and I’m O!.K!.

I was interested in reading the article, so I just had to find it lol!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is more difficult to avoid the YA designation but not impossible!. Catcher in the Rye isn't considered YA and it has the archetypal example of a teen protagonist!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't think so, but unfortunately a lot of people think this way!.

It's a shame to literature!. Age has nothing to do with it!.

LuthienTWww@QuestionHome@Com

No!. It depends on the content of the book and how mature the intended audience is!. But I think people do think: teenager=Young adult book!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Would you classify Lord of the Flies as YA, sure its taught in high school, but I never felt it was YA at all!. There are a few other examples out there, but not many!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

it shouldn't, but unfortunately i believe that's how most people would categorize it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com