“Edgy” novels are ones which publishers are not traditionally willing to publish because they deal with a taboo subject or otherwise push the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. “Trendsetting” teen fiction taps into the current style, tendency, direction, or fad. Here are six of the best ever books to hit the “edgy” and “trendsetting” marks at the kick off of the 21st century:
Cut by Patricia McCormick (Push, 2002, ISBN 0439324599)
Fifteen year old Callie finds herself in a psychiatric facility after the school nurse discovers that she is cutting her arms and hands. The counselors at Sea Pines (or “Sick Minds” as the residents call it) might be able to help her, if she'd talk to anyone. Callie doesn't really know why she cuts, other than to relieve the pressure she feels from dealing with her dysfunctional family and feeling responsible for her brother's illness. McCormick uses authentic language as she reveals what goes on in the mind of a cutter. Cut is considered “edgy” because it enters into the mind of a cutter; scary territory for any teen, especially for one who lives it.
Doing It by Melvin Burgess (Holt, 2006, ISBN 0805080791)
Told from the point of view of three teen boys jacked up on hormones, Burgess offers readers a story of love and sex told from the not-often-heard-from male perspective. Why it's edgy: Doing It has been described as “blunt” and “downright raunchy” by book reviewers and even readers say it offers “TMI” (too much information).
Freewill by Chris Lynch (Harper Tempest, 2002, ISBN 0064472027)
Freewill is the story of Will, boy who is disconnected from reality after the death of his parents after their sudden deaths. Freewill is considered “edgy” because it's a dark story about a teen orphaned by a murder-suicide and is also a story about the suicide of several classmates, and because Will's story is told in the dark and ominous tone of mysterious narrator (who is not Will.) Freewill has been deemed “trendsetting” because Chris Lynch innovative uses second-person point of view (“you”) and stream-of-consciousness narrative in this groundbreaking book which some critics say “may re-define the genre” (Publishers Weekly).
ttyl by Lauren Myracle (Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 2005, ISBN 0810987880)
Three high school girls chat about boys, clothes, getting drunk, having sex, dishing on the popular crowd, and other high school gossip. Some books become trendsetters because of their content and some because of their format. The jury is out on the content of this one: reviews seem unable to agree if this story is realistic or, as one Amazon reviewer (Erica from MA) said, “This book offends me and makes me ashamed to be a teenage girl...is this what people think we're like? AHHH. No.” Critics call ttyl “trendsetting” because it's written entirely in “IM” instant-message abbreviated chat format; a unique new format for young adult novels.
Under the Wolf Under the Dog by Adam Rapp, Candlewick, 2007, ISBN 0763633658)
Sixteen year old Steve Nuget recalls the events which preceded his arrival at a recovery home for teens. Steve is trying to cope with his mother's death, his older brother's suicide and his father's spiraling depression. Why it's “edgy:” a Booklist reviewer says: “...this is not for timid readers or those easily offended or shocked by rough language or graphic descriptions, but teens will root from their hearts and even laugh a little as Steve struggles to fight his way out from under the dog of depression that has him pinned down.”
You Don't Know Me by David Klass (HarperTeen, 2002, ISBN 0064473783)
Fourteen year old John attends “anti-school” and takes “anti-math” when he is not at home with “the man who is not my father” a drunken petty criminal who happens to be his mother's live-in fiance and John's abuser. Suspended from school, beaten to a pulp by his “father” all the while trying to fit in and be normal, John's depressing story is delivered with dark, sarcastic humor and detached irony. Labeled “edgy” because You Don't Know Me deals honestly with domestic abuse and the horrifying reality that all too many teens are not safe at home and are hurt by the ones who are supposed to protect them.
Readers who enjoy edgy young adult books may want to read Risque Young Adult Books, an article summarizing the top 10 books teens don't want their parents to know that they've read. For even more edgy books, check out Best Banned Books of the Last Century and read on to see why these books are on the “most unwanted” list. Readers who like true stories about the horrors of some teens lives may want to read Riveting YA Family Memoir Books, an article which summarizes some of the best shocking teen memoir books on the shelves today.
Francine Morrissette - Francine Morrissette is a freelance writer from southern Maine who has published articles on a wide range of topics including health, ...
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