Back To School: Books For Grown-Ups By YA Authors

Books

Back To School: Books For Grown-Ups By YA Authors

4:45 pm, September 7th | by Dani Ryskamp

Okay, so you’re not packing off to class with your box of crayons and cartoon-character lunchbox anymore (probably), but just because no one is assigning you the classic young-adult novels anymore is no reason to give up the authors entirely.

If you spent your childhood immersed in the coming-of-age tales of Judy Blume, who just came forward about having breast cancer, the fast-paced adventures of James Patterson, or the sci-fi brain food of Madeline L’Engle, you’ll be pleased to know that these authors didn’t quit the scene when their readers turned eighteen. Rather, they and many other authors have written books for both young readers and adults. One of the joys of adulthood is that no one can stop you from reading anything you please – but if you’re looking for the YA authors you love but with a bit more bite, try these writers and their works for grown-up readers.

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1.Madeline L'Engle

Best known for "A Wrinkle in Time" or "A Ring of Endless Light," Madeleine L'Engle's career has included a number of novels for adults as well - including "A Live Coal in the Sea," the adult-aimed sequel to her young-adult novel, "Camilla Dickinson."

2.Christopher Pike

If you enjoyed Christopher Pike's thrillers and vampire novels as a kid, check out his written-for-adults thriller, "Falling."

3.James Patterson

In keeping with his prolific writing habits, the eight books in James Patterson's "Maximum Ride" series for young adults were released alongside the twenty (and counting) books in his "Alex Cross" series for adult readers. "Alex Cross, Run" is due out in 2013.

4.Judy Blume

Judy Blume wrote such coming-of-age classics as "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" and "Blubber," but she's also written several novels for adults - including her 1998 book, "Summer Sisters."

5.Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie began with novels that are explicitly not children's fare, including his debut, "The Lone Ranger" and "Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" - only to make the ALA's Top Ten Banned Books List fourteen years later with his YA novel, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."

6.Neil Gaiman

Science fiction writer, graphic novelist, and "Simpsons" guest star Neil Gaiman has written for both adults and kids for so long it can be hard to pin him down - for instance, his 2005 novel, "Interworld" appeals to both groups.