Who Says Teens Don't Read?

With so much to keep them occupied - computers, videogames and their busy social lives - there's a common belief that young adults are reading less than ever - if at all! Information released by the Association of American Publishers gives hard evidence that this is not the case. Not only are teens still reading, sales growth in the children/young adult sector outpaced that of the adult market.

From January 2011 to January 2012, where adult books sales across formats increased about 16%, sales for children/young adult books increased just over 80%. The strongest growth was in e-books. Given teens' comfort with and increased access to technology, this isn't a surprise. What is surprising is the magnitude of the growth. Sales of e-books in the children/young adult sector increased a stunning 475% compared to e-book sales in the adult sector, which increased 49%.

What's driving this? Is it access to mobile readers, the ability have book discussions within e-books, the fact that the reading experience of a single title can go across many platforms, e.g. book, web, mobile app, etc.? If you're looking for answers, be sure to reserve your place at the 2012 YALSA Young Adult Literature Symposium, "The Future of Young Adult Literature: Hit Me With the next Big Thing," as our panelists, presenters and you, our colleagues, explore these issues together.

Source: The Association of American Publishers. Publishing Industry Has Strong January Revenue Growth In Print Books and EBooks For All Audiences. The Association of American Publishers. 28 Mar. 2012. http://www.publishers.org/press/62/

1 member likes this