'Maggie' a 'Sweet' Teen Gift from Older 'Influential' Readers
While the young adult sports novel Maggie Vaults Over the Moon has gotten plenty of great reviews from middle school and high school readers, the newly-released book has received just as many, if not more, rave reviews from older readers, who've soared over many, many, moons themselves.It may come as a surprise that so many grownups are reading Maggie for their own enjoyment, but a recent study shows that today's YA (young adult) novels are attracting more older readers than teen readers to the "young adult" bookshelves overall.
The study, by Bowker’s, titled, Understanding the Children’s Book Consumer in the Digital Age, revealed, "that 84% of YA [young adult] books are being purchased by consumers 18 or older... The second-largest demographic was age 30-44; within that segment... fully 80% of respondents reported 'they bought the book for themselves.'"Author Grant Overstake says Maggie Vaults Over the Moon has touched readers of all ages, and for many reasons. "From the beginning, I thought Maggie would appeal to readers from about age 12 on up," he said. "With few exceptions, younger teenage readers have really liked it, and older readers feel great about recommending it to the young people under their influence."Why are so many adults flocking to the young adult book section? Overstake says today's best stories and writers can be found there; which is why so many YA books have gone on to become blockbuster movies. But at the same time, Overstake says the increased interest in YA novels by adult readers may reflect a trend toward darker and more mature themes in YA story lines.That's why Overstake, a former Miami Herald Sportswriter and award-winning newspaper editor, has been happy with the warm reception that Maggie Vaults Over the Moon has received since it was published on October 11, 2012; including this positive outpouring from Kirkus Reviews:
it feels as if it takes place in another era, as it lacks the dark edge seen in other popular YA stories. ...[His] crisp style also gives the pole-vaulting scenes authenticity and tension. The story will most likely engage younger teenage girls, but its themes will resonate with anyone who has suffered profound loss. A fine YA novel about perseverance in sports and in life." -- KIRKUS REVIEWSRecently, a leading publication in the book publishing world reported that "friends and family" have become the "top influencers" in the book selections of children and young adult readers. Overstake says that could explain why Maggie Vaults Over the Moon has been selling in multiple orders, five and 10 copies at a time.