Particular recommendations

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Kathryn mentioned in another topic here that she wants to know about modern YA that is " ... lighthearted, "PG" type humor or plot line .... Alternatives exist, like the Hallmark Channel. And "chick lit" and that sort of novel for adults. I'm wondering... does that type of book exist in the YA market today? So many of my favorite books featuring teens are from yesteryear, but I know there must be some Annes and Emilys, some Betsys and Tacys, or "Little Women" out there today... is anyone writing this type of book for today's teens? Something modern, with more diversity, etc. but with some of the same feel as these "oldies"?"

I say, Kathryn, I know what you mean. I wish that I had my shelves tagged, because I know there are a few YA that I've read that are lighter, more optimistic. I'll try to remember to post anything I recall or come across here.

One place to start might be with Listopia.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[QNPoohBear]

Scones and Sensibility It's a modern take on Jane Austen's Emma and Anne of Green Gables. The 12 year old heroine is me, obsessed with Anne and she's just discovered Pride and Prejudice. I classified this as YA because of the romance plot.

All Four Stars is a cute book about a girl who wants to be a chef in spite of parental opposition. She ends up as a secret restaurant review critic. The parents are cartoony stupid but it's fun.

Dear Sweet Pea Sweet Pea, age 12, is struggling to accept her parents' amicable divorce. She deals with some friend drama but it's a sweet story.

Better Nate Than Ever a little cringeworthy for all the disobedience and lying. Nate wants to be on Broadway more than anything! Issues are body image and LGBTQ+. Not really old-fashioned but would make a cute TV movie for Netflix.

Littler Women: A Modern Retelling what it sounds like- a simple retelling of Little Women.

I've heard of others like The Mother-Daughter Book Club

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Personally, I have not found the Mother-Daughter Book Club series all that light-hearted (from the ones I have read so far). I do appreciate the whole concept of a mother-daughter book club, but so far, I have found all of the books too much focussed on problems, bullying and the like and basically just often one issue-heavy scenario after the other (and with quite a bit of stereotyping as well)

The Mother-Daughter Book Club
Much Ado About Anne
Dear Pen Pal

And while I am still planning on completing the series, I doubt that the tendency for the author to overwhelm us with issues will likely change all that much.

[QNPoohBear]

"Nice" stories are not in fashion right now, especially for YA. I haven't seen one I wanted to read in such a long time. There are a few in the middle grades category. I read mostly historical fiction and avoid contemporary YA novels for the most part. I loved the idea of Dumplin' and the Netflix movie was great but the book had too much "doing it" drama, body image anxiety and friend drama. The sequel Puddin' isn't as drama filled but it's also not as well thought out story and includes too much diversity for the sake of diversity.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

QNPoohBear wrote: ""Nice" stories are not in fashion right now, especially for YA. I haven't seen one I wanted to read in such a long time. There are a few in the middle grades category. I read mostly historical fict..."

The sad part is that this antipathy towards nicer stories seems so all encompassing. I actually have no issues with heavier themes being shown, but the parade of one horror story after another gets tiring.

And sometimes, I find for instance contemporary children's stories of the Great Depression that were written when the Great Depression was actually occurring less relentlessly bent on showing constant doom and gloom than modern day historical fiction about the Great Depression.

Which is why one of my absolute favourite novels set in the Great Depression and written at the time of it happening is Winterbound, with my only annoyance being that there are no sequels.

Another favourite author (Canadian) who writes about the Depression and always does temper heavier themes with a wonderful sense of time and place and also contains much humour, is Bernice Thurman Hunter,

That Scatterbrain Booky
With Love from Booky
As Ever, Booky
Booky: A Trilogy

The Margaret Trilogy
A Place for Margaret
Margaret In the Middle
Margaret On Her Way

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Cheryl wrote: "Kathryn mentioned in another topic here that she wants to know about modern YA that is " ... lighthearted, "PG" type humor or plot line .... Alternatives exist, like the Hallmark Channel. And "chic..."

Thank you for making a thread about this, Cheryl! :-) I am looking forward to recommendations and will post anything I find here.

The only one that comes to mind recently is Geekerella, which I really enjoyed.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Winterbound is, indeed, wonderful, Gundula. I could list a bunch of YA either written in or set in yesteryear that I've adored that are not dismal like today's YA. I just struggle finding books about contemporary (21st century) teens that is not really heavy, dark, mature themes, etc. Maybe there's some in Christian fiction? I don't really read that genre, though.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

QNPoohBear wrote: ""Nice" stories are not in fashion right now, especially for YA. I haven't seen one I wanted to read in such a long time. There are a few in the middle grades category. I read mostly historical fict..."

Yes, the Dumplin' movie was refreshing. It's too bad the book wasn't better. Another Netflix movie that was lighter and sweeter (but also with a lot of heart) than I expected was "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" -- I believe it was based on a book but I haven't read itTo All the Boys I've Loved Before. (Even then, there was some "are they doing it" drama. I know that's a part of life for many high schoolers these days, but it would be nice to find some books where it's not a huge factor since not ALL high schoolers are doing that.)

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Kathryn wrote: "Winterbound is, indeed, wonderful, Gundula. I could list a bunch of YA either written in or set in yesteryear that I've adored that are not dismal like today's YA. I just struggle fi..."

The problem I have found with much both classic and contemporary Christian fiction is that there is sometimes too much "sugar" and often also too much overt religion for my tastes (as I do not enjoy being preached at).

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

One problem-based novel that I nevertheless totally found amazing was Train I Ride because with all of the sadness, there is also so much hope and such an emphasis on friendship and learning how to trust again.

[QNPoohBear]

Kathryn wrote: "Yes, the Dumplin' movie was refreshing. It's too bad the book wasn't better. Another Netflix movie that was lighter and sweeter (but also with a lot of heart) than I expected was "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" -- I believe it was based on a book but I haven't read it."

I thought of that. I haven't read the book or seen the movie yet. I'll have to check out the movie. I loved the message of Dumplin' and was eager to share it with my nieces but the book was way too adult oriented. I did get a paperback copy to share with them when they're much older and I plan to give Sweet Pea to my younger niece when she's a little older.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I just saw Jo & Laurie pop up as a "New Teen Fiction" book on the library homepage. First I've heard of it. Anyone know anything about it? While I'm sure my twelve-year-old self would have loved to read a book where Laurie and Jo end up together, I just can't help being slightly appalled by it now knowing more about LMA's intentions for Jo as an independent woman and with Mr Bhaer being somewhat of a concession to give her the "happy ever after" that audiences expected.

[Susan]

I really enjoyed the movie, The House with a Clock in it's Walls. It was delightfully spooky and fun with a great turn by Jack Black. I read the book which unfortunately was less good than the film. Also enjoyed the movie Goosebumps, also with Jack Black. As with the former movie, Stines's books were not as fun as the movie. Just thinking of YA fiction that has been made into film. YA spooky fiction!!

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Huh. Generally those books are considered Juvenile. What makes you classify them as YA?

[Susan]

Seemed more adult than others. No reason in particular. Why is it a problem?

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

It's not a problem. It's just that we're exploring YA books in this folder. In fact, one of the other topics asks exactly 'what does YA mean to you' and I'd love it if you post there to say why Bellairs' book and Goosebumps 'seem more adult' to you, and what kinds of things in general make you think 'for kids' vs. 'for teens.'

In other words, this is a discussion forum, in which we share ideas and learn others' perspectives. I'd love to learn more about yours!

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

John Bellairs' books and the Goosebumps series have been classified as juvenile in the libraries that I worked in. Bellairs' MC kids were around 12 years old, and it was kids, not teens, who asked for the Goosebumps books.

[Susan]

Oh I understand. I just didn't realize these books were categorized as juvenile. I enjoyed the movies so much and they seemed a little more complex than some of the kid's movies I've seen. I thought it was interesting that the movies actually improved on the books. That's unusual. Sorry to be the non sequitor in the conversation.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

That's ok! Thank you for sharing, Susan.

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

Susan wrote: "Oh I understand. I just didn't realize these books were categorized as juvenile. I enjoyed the movies so much and they seemed a little more complex than some of the kid's movies I've seen. I though..."

Anyhoo, I also liked the movie of a House With a Clock in its Walls better than the book also. And the movie probably tilted a little more teen than did the book, with those scary mechanical dolls and evil pumpkins, etc.