Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The trend of shopping locally doesn’t need to be limited to food and mom and pop shops, because Utah is home to several bestselling and award-winning authors of young adult fiction. Whether you want to make the most of the last weeks of summer or escape the realities of a looming school year, Utah authors have you covered.
Shannon Hale
Born, raised and (mostly) educated in Utah, Shannon Hale is a “New York Times” bestselling author and a Newberry Honor recipient. Although writing was always her first love, Hale pursued a career in comedy and acting while she wrote in secret. But after 19 years of writing and several rejections, Hale’s first publication, “Goose Girl,” became a hit that led to her acclaimed Books of Bayern series.
Hale champions young girls by writing complex and strong heroines with familiar problems within the frame of magical realism. As a result, Hale’s books are a source of both entertainment and empowerment for young women.
What to read: “Goose Girl,” “Princess Academy” and “Rapunzel’s Revenge,” a graphic novel.
James Dashner
James Dashner was born in Georgia, but now calls the Wasatch Mountains home. Dashner studied accounting, but never could abandon storytelling. His first literary success was “A Door in the Woods,” the first book in his Jimmy Fincher series. Success truly came to Dasher with two more series: The 13th Reality and The Maze Runner. In fact, “The Maze Runner,” a book that follows the recent teen dystopian trends like “The Hunger Games,” has been optioned by Twentieth Century Fox and is slated for a Feb. 2014 release.
Dashner’s protagonists are teenage boys who are problem-solvers in seemingly impossible situations. His themes are dark enough to set an urgent mood without losing the hope that things will get better.
What to read: “The Maze Runner” and “The Journal of Curious Letters.”
Ally Condie
A native Utahn, Ally Condie still describes herself as an English teacher, even though her dystopic Matched trilogy has spent time on the “New York Times” bestsellers list. “Matched” — the story of a forced utopia and the kids who fight against it — has been optioned by Disney and is currently in the early stages of development.
As a bonus, after Condie finishes each book, she posts playlists on her blog of songs that inspired her or otherwise helped her while she was writing. This gives the reader further insight into the moods and themes of her work.
What to read: “Matched.”
Brandon Mull
Before Brandon Mull first published in 2006, he worked as a comedian (BYU’s Divine Comedy), filing clerk, patio installer, movie promoter, copywriter and a mysterious job called a “chicken stacker.” Mull is best known for his “New York Times” bestselling Fabelehaven fantasy series, a set of stories that treats magical creatures as endangered species.
As a child, Mull “lived in his head” and spent much of his free time daydreaming and making up stories. Because his childhood experiences became the key to Mull’s success, Mull often tours and speaks to encourage young writers and fans.
Both “Fablehaven” and “The Candy Shop War” have been optioned for film production, but are still in early development stages.
What to read: “Fablehaven,” “The Beyonders” and “The Candy Shop Wars.”
Dan Wells
Even though Dan Wells now calls Stuttgart, Germany home, he’s a Utah native who writes something a little different: YA Horror. Wells was steeped in the ways of sci-fi and fantasy as a child, and mixing that with a love of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Joseph Conrad and true crime, Wells found his calling in horror.
Wells’ first publication, “I Am Not a Serial Killer,” stars the 15-year-old sociopath, John Wayne Cleaver, who is afraid that he might be turning into a serial killer. But since John recognizes this darkness inside him, he decides to use it for good.
As you can tell, Wells doesn’t write for the happy-go-lucky reader, but to the reader who relates to something a little darker.
What to read: “I Am Not a Serial Killer” and “Partials.”
Brandon Sanderson
The most prolific of these featured Utah writers, Brandon Sanderson has published over 20 fantasy books and short stories since 2005, and has four more books in the works. Sanderson has a gift for creating detailed and believable fantasy worlds that support rather than overshadow his stories.
You generally won’t find traditional fairies and dragons in his fantasy, however. Think more along the lines of controlling the elements and magical math (No actual math required). “The Rithmatist” is Sanderson’s latest YA effort, which is set in a world where geometry and art control a powerful magic. The story comes complete with an underdog hero with unconventional friends.
Although most of Sanderson’s fiction is not specifically geared toward young adults, older youths are sure to enjoy anything Sanderson serves up.
What to read: “The Rithmatist” and “Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians.”
