Hey YA
A showcase of new and diverse young adult books.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hey YA is a podcast dedicated to highlighting diverse and engaging books geared toward young adults. The show focuses on depictions of various demographics in literature, what they look like, and how we can create more of them. The two adult hosts (Tirzah and Erica) have fun conversations about themselves and these books, without verging into adult content that would give parents pause. Although there are brief mentions of sex, further adult content is virtually nonexistent. This show focuses specifically on books that are written for young adults and that young adults would find interesting. For parents who are looking to encourage their teens to read more diverse literature (or simply to widen their world view to consider the perspectives of people different from themselves), Hey YA is a fantastic choice.
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What’s It About?
This podcast explores literature that is written specifically for teens. Focusing on a different category in each episode, HEY YA compiles a collection of books for the listener, letting them know the best books for teens in any given genre. Episodes have an emphasis on diversity and inclusion for various demographics. Examples of these topics include queer relationships, indigenous fiction, and a focus on Latine authors. The two hosts are "real life" friends and always have a fun, casual, and meaningful discussion around literature and media in general. Each host picks a few books to focus on in each episode, describing the author, the plot, and how it connects to the episode's theme. Plot explanations are quick, don't drag in pace, and are analyzed right after. Episodes are roughly 45 minutes in length. Hey YA is produced by Book Riot, the largest literary independent site in North America.
Is It Any Good?
With a focus on making diversity and literature well-known, this podcast will draw teen listeners in without a problem. Hey YA absolutely accomplishes its goal of analyzing young adult literature with an inclusive lens. The two hosts chat about personal experiences surrounding the episode's topic before getting into specific titles, making each episode feel more like you're listening in on a couple of very funny friends laughing it up instead of a lecture on literature. The hosts are adult women, but their humor and dialogue doesn't verge into adult-only territory, making this one an easy "yes" for parents of teens. Overall, Hey YA is an educational podcast without the dry information-dump that teens dread. Plus, it comes with the advocacy and inclusivity that will excite parents who are looking to widen their teen's view of the world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Hey YA looks at several different under-represented groups in literature. Do you feel that who you are as a person is commonly displayed in the books you read?
This podcast promotes inclusivity and diversity. Do you have a favorite book that you consider to be inclusive? What makes it inclusive to you?
Podcast Details
- Release date: September 1, 2017
- Genre: Storytelling
- Average Run Time: 45 minutes
- Website: https://bookriot.com/listen/shows/heyya/
- Hosts: Tirzah Price, Erica Ezeifedi
- Publisher: Book Riot
- Pricing structure: Free
- Topics: Activism, Book Characters, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Curiosity, Empathy
- Last updated: February 27, 2023
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