There’s no doubt that John Green was meant for Young Adult literature. His ability to capture the true essence of what life is like for teenagers in the modern world is what makes his writing so appealing. His extensive use of metaphors, his eye opening themes and his witty dialogue have captured the hearts of many–all of which is proven through the characters of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters in his most recent novel The Fault in Our Stars. The fame of this beloved novel and the increasing number of articles claiming the YA genre would be nothing if it weren’t for Green, however, raises numerous issues. In a recent profile on Green, The New Yorker called him “The Teen Whisperer” and Buzzfeed has referred to him as “The Nerd Hero Writer” who is “the current undisputed king of YA.” And the praise doesn’t end there. There are numerous articles surfacing across the web all hinting at the idea that Green has awakened the YA genre. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Green himself has said that is it “ridiculous” to put forth the claim that he saved YA, which clearly “did not need saving” and “remains rich and complex.” So why is it that, if the YA genre is filled with numerous amounts of equally powerful stories, Green and his novel The Fault in Our Stars are being given a superior label above the rest? Being that it was written by a white male one may conclude that in part is due to the overwhelming amount of approbation. Our society does indeed have a reputation for slighting women and this is no exception. If this novel had been written by a woman would it be receiving the same kind of praise? Would she too have been considered “the voice of a generation”? Author J.K Rowling, of the Harry Potter series, had been advised before the release of the first book to use her initials for fear the male audience wouldn’t be interested in a book written by a woman. Is it the written work what we’re actually recognizing or is it the name behind the words? Reading in and of itself should always be about the literature not about who produced it. The story is the most important part.
The YA genre has been in full force for centuries. To proclaim that it has been resurrected, due to the work of a single man, is to completely disregard and unjustly insult every other author in the genre. Are we acknowledging the power of the written word or the fact that it was written by a man? Why can praise never be given without there being a negative blow towards someone or something of equal value? To encourage the fact that Green helped stimulate supposed dying genre is not only a jab to his fellow authors but to the YA audience as a whole. There’s a quote from Green that says: “I’m tired of adults telling teenagers they’re not smart.” It’s ironic how Green writes to uplift the value of teens and yet those critiquing and reviewing his work don’t bother to give credit where credit is due. Rightfully so Green acknowledges that teenagers are indeed very capable of holding their own and participating in intellectual conversations. And yet his reviewers stereotype and label the audience as nothing more than overly emotional teenage girls.
Bringing attention to worthy works of literature and their authors is necessary and should be done often. However the diction used to facilitate that praise should be thoroughly considered before a generalization is made. YA literature has been predominantly active and thriving for quite some time with or without the help of John Green.