Christine and Ethan Rose | YA Fantasy: It’s Not Just for Kids

As we tour around the country signing our book, Rowan of the Wood, we are frequently asked this question: "What age group is your book written for?" It’s a very difficult question to answer because we write for young readers of all ages. The content is appropriate for younger readers but it’s enjoyed by young and old, alike.

I learned to read at the age of six. A year later, I read Gulliver's Travels. By the time I was ten I was reading Frank Herbert's Dune, and now, at the age of 40, I consider Tove Jansson's Moomin books some of the best ever written. I read nearly as many young adult books as anything else. Many of the books I read in childhood were not fully understood by my younger self, but I enjoyed them anyway. They also helped me get a jump start on many difficult subjects that I would have to wrestle later in life.

The mind of a child is much more curious and agile than that of an adult, as well as being infinitely more creative. It should be fed to the limit of its capacity. Good stories, well written and enthralling, are a great way to encourage that creative appetite. Once a child’s mind is captured by the possibilities inherent in reading, they will never look back.

A good story is ageless. Timeless. It spans generations and breaks down international borders. YA Fantasy, with the success of such books as Harry Potter, Twilight, and Eragon, has become recognized and enjoyed by readers of all ages. For those of us who love a good story and do not require steamy sex scenes, the genre provides an escape into a more innocent time. We can once again dream of being the hero in a grand adventure, having magical powers, saving those we love. We believe in magic and in the goodness of people. Our hearts break with the sacrifices of the tragic hero and rejoice with the reunion of lovers. A good story is ageless. Timeless. Young Adult fantasy is no longer just for kids; or rather, it’s for the child in all of us, whatever our age.

So now when asked what age Rowan of the Wood is aimed at I reply, "nine to ninety-nine," but don't exclude anyone outside that age group who loves a good story.

BOOK BLURB After a millennium of imprisonment in his magic wand, an ancient wizard possesses the young boy who released him. When danger is nigh, he emerges from the frightened child to set things right. Both he and the boy try to grasp what has happened to them only to discover a deeper problem. Somehow the wizard’s bride from the ancient past has survived and become something evil. Award-Winning Finalist of the National Best Books 2008 Awards

Check out the Holiday Contests, where you can win books, B&N gift cards, a digital camcoder, and more!

The book is available now via Amazon (Kindle, too) and wherever books are sold.

Christine and Ethan Rose are the authors of the new YA fantasy novelRowan of the Wood. They live in Austin, TX with their three dogs and Shadow the Cat.http://www.christineandethanrose.com/ * http://www.rowanofthewood.com/