I love young adult fiction. And I’m not the only far-from-young adult who does.
I was born during what was considered at the time the golden age of young adult fiction. By the time the genre’s popularity began to flag in 1990s, I was busy getting a degree in English Literature, so I was immersed in Shakespeare and other works not often considered YA (although, um, hello, Romeo & Juliet…). And I was not far out of actual young adulthood before Harry Potter revitalized YA fiction and sent its popularity into the stratosphere.
Even before I had my daughter, I continued to read YA. Of course, when my I was reading to a baby and toddler every day, my fiction repertoire shifted significantly younger, and I discovered a renewed love of children’s fiction, as well.
In fact, when I was first dating my partner, John, one of the first books I bought for him was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. John’s an amazing landscaper and loves working with nature, so I wanted to share with him a book that helped spark my love of nature and our connection to the Earth.
And as Nola has matured reading-wise very quickly, we’re already reading young adult fiction together. I love reading with her.
So, when I had the opportunity to curate another Storybundle, I knew YA was the way to go.
Welcome to the Light in the Dark YA Storybundle.
Each book in this bundle spark a light in the dark. Sometimes, that light comes from within. Sometimes, the characters must fight back the darkness to find it. And their stories demonstrate the incredible diversity of young adult fiction, from lighthearted and inspirational to dark and gritty.
These eleven fantastically versatile authors provided thirteen books that offer magic, triumph, humor, daring, hardship, and resilience. Sometimes, all in one.
Join in the adventure as Buffalo Jimmy and his friends as they seek survival and revenge in Dean Wesley Smith’s Headed West, Galen and his clan sacrifice everything in hopes of finding a future and a hope for their families in Darcy Pattison’s Vagabonds, the Prentiss twins discover more than they bargained for in Deb Logan’s Thunderbird, and Turtle and Agata delve into a dangerous mystery in John Biggs’ Mytro.
Experience youthful defiance with “Rabbit” Labelle as he deals with racism in David H. Hendrickson’s Offside and Elinor Pembroke as she chooses an unorthodox path in Melissa McShane’s Burning Bright. Go back to high school with Tiffany VanDerHoven as she comes to terms with her newfound mortality in Kristine Grayson’s Tiffany Tumbles, and Gabby DeCorte as she plays the LifeGame in Thomas K. Carpenter’s Gamers Trilogy.
And journey along with diverse tales of magic, adventure, dragons and more in Jody Lynn Nye’s Daring, Anthea Sharp’s Tales of Feyland and Faerie, and Fiction River: Sparks, edited by Rebecca Moesta.
The books featured in the Light in the Dark YA Storybundle feature bestselling authors along with newer names you’ll be glad you tried. And, as always at StoryBundle, you name your own price—whatever you feel the books are worth, and a portion of the proceeds goes to charity—in this case, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today). Each year, SMART reaches thousands of Oregon children with vital one-on-one reading support, and books for those who need them most. And if you pay at least $15, you’ll get all thirteen books!
The Light in the Dark YA Bundle starts Wednesday, Sept. 13, and runs for three weeks only. So, reconnect with your youth and enjoy everything that young adult fiction has to offer. You can read more about the bundle at https://storybundle.com/ya once it goes live.
Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer.