Another new YA author to introduce to you. Annika Klanderud hasn’t published a novel yet, but she has published short stories and articles, and her unpublished YA novels have won national awards. She’s here today to share “3 Things I Learned from Reading Quality YA”. Welcome, Annika!

I recently read the first chapter of three very different young adult (YA) novels (The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron—Dystopian; I MUST BETRAY YOU by Ruta Sepetys—Historical; and THERE YOU’LL FIND ME by Jenny B. Jones—Contemporary). Each opening chapter was totally gripping and drew me in right away. So, it was no surprise that I found they all shared three craft elements that must be included in every YA novel to pull the reader in.

The experience reminded me of how the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 3:4, assured Christians that “. . . when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” In Paul’s case, he was encouraging Christians to read the Scriptures in order to perfect their spiritual understanding. As far as YA fiction goes, I encourage authors to read quality YA in order to perfect the craft of writing fiction for teens.

Whether chapter one was about a teenager hiding from authorities on the wall of her city, a boy in school in Romania trying to get up the courage to talk to a girl, or a teenage girl sitting beside a celebrity on an airplane, every opening chapter grounded me, the reader, in time and place. I could taste the dust in the air, smell the sweat from the crowds surrounding the main character, and I felt like falling asleep along with the main character in the dimly lit airplane cabin.

Of course, no YA novel is complete without a healthy dose of teenage angst. But what I found in the first chapters of each of these novels was that the normal teen drama of testing authorities, crushing on a girl, and battling the emotional struggle of losing a family member too soon were all just small transitions. Soon each main character would learn that things can get much harder. Little did each main character know that a much bigger problem was just around the corner.

But to my delight, as the reader, I found that each main character was open and honest about their internal struggles. What they were passionate about. What scared and worried them. Okay, so maybe they weren’t completely honest with the other characters in the story. But they were honest with me, the reader. On every page they poured out their hearts. Always honest and raw with the reader. Never fake with me. It was as if they trusted me with their deepest secrets. What more could a reader ask for?

Each one of these authors proved that it is possible to transport a reader to a specific time and place, introduce a seemingly real problem, and convince the reader that a fictional character has just as much heart and emotion as a real live human being. I never would’ve believed it if I hadn’t experienced it myself by reading books like these. I guess it’s true what they say, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.”

Read more guest blogs from YA authors here.

*****

There’s just something about an old house . . . Whether it inspires memories, fond or sad, or generates questions about the people who lived there, the things that might have happened within its walls, there’s just something about an old house that makes us pause and wonder, think, remember.

Join eleven authors as they explore the theme of “This Old House,” and invite you into the worlds of their imaginations. Whether it’s a mystery, a fantasy quest, a touch of romance, a scary story, a fond look back over the years, a touch of nostalgia or even heartache, there’s something here to satisfy every taste. Join the ACFW Ohio chapter in celebrating young writers, with the four top writers in our first scholarship writing competition featured in these pages. Students from Christian schools across the state were invited to send us their idea of “This Old House.” We think you’ll be pleased by what they created.

*****

Annika’s MG novel, I Lived Through a Wind Chill Advisory, won the 2024 Cascade Christian Writers Contest. Her YA novel, Red Rock, was the Cascade Christian Writers Contest winner in 2022. And her YA novel, Qualify, was a runner up in 2024. Over forty of her articles have appeared in numerous publications such as Keys for Kids.

In addition to seeking traditional publication for her novels, she is passionate about revolutionizing the Christian publishing industry. She has worked with numerous Christian authors to start a book fair in the state of Oregon, facilitate critique groups, and host events like the Author Spotlight and book clubs. Visit her on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and her website. When she is not wrestling with words for her novels, you can find her in the utility room battling her twelve children’s mountain of laundry.