Last week, in celebration of Teen Read Week, we sent out a Young Adult Literature Survey to KHS Students. Below are the results:
What types of YA (young adult) books do you like to read?
| Adventure | 8 | 44% |
| Biography | 4 | 22% |
| Books that are made into movies or TV shows | 5 | 28% |
| Classics | 4 | 22% |
| Comics or Graphic Novels | 3 | 17% |
| Dystopian | 6 | 33% |
| Fantasy | 8 | 44% |
| Supernatural/Horror | 9 | 50% |
| Historical Fiction | 5 | 28% |
| Memoirs | 3 | 17% |
| Mystery/Suspense/Thriller | 7 | 39% |
| Pop Culture | 2 | 11% |
| Realistic Fiction | 9 | 50% |
| Science Fiction | 10 | 56% |
| Series | 11 | 61% |
| Short Story Collections | 2 | 11% |
| Romance | 6 | 33% |
| Other | 0 | 0% |
Who are the top YA authors that you read?
James Patterson, Rick Riordan, Victoria Forester, Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Ellen Hopkins, Stephen King, William Shakespeare, James Dashner, Michelle Hodkin, David Levithan, Simone Elkeles, Darren Shan, Dallas Goldtooth, Cassandra Clare, John Green
What is your favorite non-fiction subject?
Psychology, Mythology, English, History, Science, Paranormal Encounters, Drama, Animals, Sports, Essays on nature, Philosophy
What, if anything, do you dislike about current YA novels being published?
I dislike when books start so slowly that it takes me days to read the first 70 pages. I'm not a fan of feeling like I'm slogging through a book.
Some ideas aren't well developed.
Some books have similar themes.
The recurring themes of "girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, tragedy/adventure ensues, girl and/or boy almost die, new boy is introduced, BAM, NOW THERE"S A LOVE TRIANGLE."
They are not about real things that happen to teens these days.
Less action, romance and fantasy creatures
The romance triangles that seem to be present in most books.
Too much science fiction.
Most have similar plots.
They all seem to be the same story and I don't feel as though I've learned anything new after I read them.
What, if anything, would you like to see more of in YA novels?
LGBT characters
A meaning and something that tells you to be happy with who you are.
More romance and adventure books like John Green's
Strong female characters that aren't defined by men or who they choose to like. Strong female characters whose main conflict isn't who to date.
Perfect as they are.
Characters who know what they're doing and use their intelligence without attracting a member of the opposite gender.
I'd like to see a couple of shape-shifters and more dragons and dungeons and moats.
Taking teen problems more seriously; examining them more closely.
Stories that end where they begin are nice.
More love stories.
When you read a book, which formats do you prefer?
| Hardcover | 15 | 83% |
| Paperback | 8 | 44% |
| Audio Book | 1 | 6% |
| eBook | 6 | 33% |
| on the computer | 2 | 11% |
Do you read adult titles?
If you chose yes, who are the top three adult authors that you read?
Kent Nerburn, Leonard Peltier, Ray Bradbury, Chuck Hogen, Jane Austen, Anita Shreve, Gillian Flynn, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, Catherine Coulter, Karen Marie Moning, J.K. Rowling
For books that are made into movies or TV shows, do you prefer to see the movie/TV show first and then read the book, or vice versa?
| I prefer to read the book first. | 10 | 56% |
| I prefer to see the show or movie first. | 5 | 28% |
| I don't have a preference. | 3 | 17% |
Do you read YA non-fiction for pleasure?
What type of non-fiction do you enjoy reading?
| Biographies/Memoirs | 7 | 39% |
| History | 7 | 39% |
| Sports | 5 | 28% |
| Science | 9 | 50% |
| Animals | 5 | 28% |
| Other | 1 | 6% |
If you selected "other" in the question above, please specify.
Essays and/or philosophical stories.
What is your favorite book?
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Marley and Me
Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Game by Barry Lyga
Forged by Fire
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
Mockingbird
Paper Towns by John Green
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
How do you choose what to read for fun?
| My friends are reading it | 5 | 28% |
| My teacher told us about it | 5 | 28% |
| I saw it at the library/bookstore | 11 | 61% |
| I learned about it online | 7 | 39% |
| It won an award | 1 | 6% |
| I like the author | 8 | 44% |
| I like the subject | 11 | 61% |
| Other | 5 | 28% |
If you chose "other" in the question above please specify.
I look up books and just choose.
I see a movie I like and then I read the book.
If it seems interesting I read it.
It was on sale/free.
Audio books.
What kinds of book would you like to see more of in your school library?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
More realistic fiction rather than fantasy
Well written adventure series
More mature books
Books representing more LGBT characters
Books that are more obscure. Personal favorites of students or teachers
Books that have a message and aren't childish
Realistic fiction and fictional drama
More books about teen struggles
Books like The Unwanteds becasue it has people with certain talents that get sent away for their talents, people that are misunderstood. I want to see more books with action and thrills and romance.
Action/Dystopian
Series and suspense
More poetry selections
What could help make reading more fun for you?
| Better/more fun books at school | 8 | 44% |
| Having a choice in what I have to read for school | 9 | 50% |
| Incentives like extra credit or prizes | 11 | 61% |
| Silent reading time in the classroom | 7 | 39% |
| Easier books | 0 | 0% |
| Less pressure from parents/teachers | 3 | 17% |
| Library programs (author visits/book clubs) | 9 | 50% |
| Other | 2 | 11% |
If you chose "other" in the question above, please specify.
I love reading anyway.
More time to read (personal problem)