Stephen Colbert says, "As far as I can tell, a young-adult novel is a regular novel that people can actually read." While this is an oversimplification, he has a point. Young-adult novels are generally shorter than adult novels. Characters are usually twelve to eighteen, written for an audience in the same age range. The Fault is in Our Stars by John Green and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell are two examples of contemporary young adult novels. An excellent resource for more information is the book, Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.

Missed hearing Lisa See on her national book tour this summer for her latest book, China Dolls, about three young Asian women in the Chinese nightclub era, also called the Chop Suey Circuit, during the 1940's. Told from the viewpoints of each of the women, this story explores what it was like to be a showgirl in the early days when a proper Chinese girl did not even show her legs. Ruby, Helen, and Grace come from very different backgrounds and the author has researched the era thoroughly. The characters seemed fully drawn and I liked the romantic tension. My favorite book by Lisa See is On Gold Mountain, her memoir that details the history of her Chinese American family. I also enjoyed Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The book was intriguing and the movie was a visual delight.