Young adult (YA) fiction is a genre of books aimed primarily at readers aged 12 to 18, featuring teenage protagonists dealing with themes like self-discovery, relationships, and personal growth. YA fiction covers a range of genres, from romance to fantasy, and often explores coming-of-age experiences and challenges relevant to teens.
It has grown exponentially in recent years.
Along with the growing admiration of this genre, relatively new sub-genres are rapidly gaining momentum.
Main Characteristics of Young Adult Mystery Stories
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Teen Main Characters
The main character’s usually a teenager, so they’re dealing with relatable stuff like high school drama or family issues—while also solving a mystery!
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Growing Up and Figuring Things Out
YA mysteries don’t just focus on the mystery; they also dive into the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. As they’re solving crimes, they’re also learning a lot about themselves.
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High Stakes and Big Risks
There’s usually a lot on the line, whether it’s safety, friendships, or family. This keeps things intense and makes readers feel like everything could change at any moment.
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Close POV for Extra Suspense
Most YA mysteries use a first-person or close third-person perspective, so we’re right there with the main character, feeling the tension and surprises as they do.
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Familiar, Everyday Settings
These mysteries are often set in places like high schools, small towns, or summer camps—places readers know well, which makes the mystery feel closer to home.
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Twists and Turns Galore
YA mysteries love a good twist! Between red herrings and shocking reveals, these stories keep readers guessing until the end.
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Real Friendships and Romance
Friendships, family bonds, and even a little romance are often part of the story, adding some depth (and drama!) to the mystery-solving.
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Ethical Dilemmas
These stories sometimes throw in some moral questions, so the protagonist—and the reader—have to think about what’s right and wrong along the way.
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Quick Pace and Tons of Tension
Short chapters, cliffhangers, and action-packed scenes make YA mysteries super engaging, keeping readers on their toes from start to finish.
Young Adult Audience – Misconceptions
The biggest misconception about YA fiction is that it’s only for teen readers, just because the protagonist is usually a teen. While YA typically features characters aged 12 to 18 (sometimes even first-year college students), it can appeal to a wider audience, including adults.
Regardless of age range, the story’s conflicts and challenges should still feel relatable and age-appropriate for a teen audience.
It Isn’t Simply a Mystery
Writing for a young adult audience isn’t as simple as toning down vocabulary or themes. Teen readers today are incredibly savvy, informed, and often progressive, shaped by constant access to information and varied perspectives online.
They crave stories that challenge them intellectually and emotionally, so it’s important to bring depth, complexity, and sophistication to YA writing.
Books like Melvin Burgess’s work or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon are excellent examples—they tackle intense themes and offer intricate plots that keep readers engaged. Crafting stories with unexpected twists and well-planned mysteries is essential; otherwise, there’s a risk of losing their interest.
YA readers want authenticity and thought-provoking narratives that don’t shy away from life’s darker or more complex moments.
Incorporate the “Coming of Age” or “Hero’s Journey”
One of the primary motivations behind Young Adult fiction stories is that the protagonist takes some kind of emotional or psychological journey that results in a transition from child to adult.
The Young Adult mystery’s protagonist should also carry the characteristics of an amateur sleuth or very curious snoop. As the mystery unfolds, two things begin to occur: the young protagonist matures, as do their detective skills.
Pick a Point of View
In YA fiction, first-person and close third-person points of view are commonly used to keep readers closely connected to the protagonist’s experiences. These POVs allow for a deep, immersive view into the narrator’s world and emotions.
While these perspectives are popular, experimenting with other POVs can also yield unique storytelling opportunities, depending on the story’s needs.
Read the Genre You Want to Write
Any genre that a writer gravitates toward should always be a source of their own reading material.
Do some research to find out who some of the more popular YA writers are and study their work to see if you can locate strong techniques to apply to your own writing practices.
In the mood for a little mystery? Check out our selection of mystery stories!
We also have five helpful tips to help you begin crafting a YA suspense/mystery novel for you.
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