We are the way we are because of our parents, and how we were raised. And, unsurprisingly, history and background are inextricably linked to one’s parents. So why should parents matter in a YA story, when it’s so interesting to read about a protagonist faced with this myriad of exciting coming-of-age experiences on their own? Besides, it is a truth universally acknowledged that parents just don’t understand.īut even though they might not understand their teenage kids, that doesn’t mean that parents aren’t important in kids’ lives.Ĭonsider the ever-elusive idea of “voice.” In many ways, voice is directly tied into a main character’s history and background.

One of the most exciting aspects of teenage-hood is the sudden independence-your ability to explore the wider world without your parents to protect you, and without anyone telling you what to think or how to act. Yet at the same time, many of our favorite stories exist because of this very same trope.Īnd I get it. People like to joke about the cliché YA parents who are either totally absent, totally awful, or totally oblivious. Set against the scintillating landscape of Southern California, The Midnights is an evocative coming-of-age debut about loss, creativity, and finding your voice while you're still finding yourself.This guest post was written by Sarah Nicole Smetana author of The Midnights a 'voice-driven coming-of-age YA novel is perfect for fans of Katie Cotugno and Playlist for the Dead. But Susannah is not the only one keeping secrets, and soon, harsh revelations threaten to unravel her life once again. There, Susannah realizes she can reinvent herself however she wants: a confident singer-songwriter, member of a hip band, embraced by an effortlessly cool best friend. While Susannah struggles with grief, her mother uproots them to a new city. But when he dies unexpectedly, her dreams-and her reality-shatter.

As senior year begins, she's more interested in composing impressive chord patterns than college essays, certain that if she writes the perfect song, her father might finally look up from the past long enough to see her. Susannah Hayes has never been in the spotlight, but she dreams of following her father, a former rock star, onto the stage. This voice-driven coming-of-age YA novel is perfect for fans of Katie Cotugno and Playlist for the Dead.

The midnights by sarah nicole smetana