As someone who has adapted Australia as their home, but was luckily enough to spend my formative years in NZ. I have grown up with the movement of #LoveOzYA and have seen it grown. From the small humble beginnings to the movement it is now. It wouldn’t be the same movement without the champions and the novels that have come out in the last few years. We as readers and bloggers have had a role in this movement. A movement that has come so far, yet has so far to go. There have been pivot moments that have come and made their lasting mark. Yet in 2017 we were still seeking the own voice reads from the indigenous and seeking more diversity in novels despite what is out there.
If you asked me in 2011 who my favourite Oz YA authors were, it was easy and simple. It
would of been Melina Marchetta and Mary Grant Bruce. Authors like Steph Bowe weren’t in my world
despite being published and readily available in the market. I grew up in a world where these books weren’t readily pushed towards me
despite my love of reading . I gravitated to books that were popular or were classic because of my education and
choices available to me. I had access to libraries like many others.
Yet there was no screaming promotion or indication that there were beautiful stories out there from talented local authors. Stories that I would love to have read as a teenager in Melbourne suburbia.
OZ YA is a celebration of what a multi diverse nation we are to an extent, as there is still work to be done. In the
six years I have been blogging and been part of the community . I have seen
many new stories comes out.
Brilliant life changing stories. Stories
that have educated me and changed my
perspective on things. Books where I
could utterly relate to the lead character and make me proud to say that I belong to this beautiful
country.
#LoveOzYA maybe seen
just a movement to some but it is more just a movement. It is not just an escape from the real world
anymore, to forget things and find another character to love. #LoveOzYA is a
way of life. Think about the bigger picture. We are supporting one of our
own and every sale gives back to the
industry. Allowing the industry to
invest and discover more of their stories. Allowing everyone to find their own
little piece of Oz YA.
Do I wish that as a
teenager, I had books like The First Third from Will Kotakis or Life in Space from Melissa Keil. The books that current teenagers and future
generations will have the privilege of being able to grow up with.
Yes undoubtedly. However I wouldn’t change a thing. YA is
written for teenagers but I still find myself drawn to the magic beautiful tales that exist. Lessons
that as I as an adult still find myself relating to.
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