Een decennium young adult literatuur in Nederland (2009-2019)

Abstract

In 2009, the term young adult literature (yal) was introduced in the Netherlands. By now, it may be stated that this term is enduring and has given an impulse to the (attention for) literature for adolescents. Furthermore, several developments have changed relationships with regard to the production and distribution of literature within the Dutch literary industry in the past years. At the same time, there is no consensus on a definition of yal. This article presents the state of affairs of yal in the Netherlands. First, it shows how adolescent literature and yal relate to each other and provides a working definition of what can be understood as contemporary yal in the Netherlands. It then discusses the origin and introduction of the term in the Netherlands and explores the institutional developments that have taken place. Finally, it assesses current opinions of yal, followed by suggestions for further research.