Trends in YA

We all know teens are great with trends. Let's face it, old stuff is boring for the most part.  Since y'all like the new and exciting, there are always new trends in YA lit. If we watch the Teens' Top Ten lists from the past years we see trends as they develop. In 2004 we see books about pirates. By '06 we've moved from pirates to vampires. Then in 2010 we see the emergence of the angels (fallen and otherwise). While I don't think angels have quite run their course (some appear on this year's top ten nominees list), there is already a new trend in the making...Mermaids. Yep, mermaids! Who'd have guessed it? Some recent and upcoming titles include: Mermaid: a Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon; May (Daughters of the Sea) by Kathryn Lasky; Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs; Finns Are Forever by Tara Lynn Childs; Lost Voices by Sarah Porter; Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore.  So, Ariel and Barbie move over, some new finned lovelies are coming to the library!