Speculative fiction is a term that encompasses science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and horror. Popular subgenres within speculative fiction include steampunk, urban fantasy, dystopias.
Books in this section feature characters who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer/questioning. A recent trend in YA literature features characters who who are incidentally LGBTQ but their identities are not the focus of the book.
Life Experiences is a term used for books that deal with issues faced by teens. It is a more inclusive term than reality fiction, contemporary fiction, problem novel, or issue driven fiction. The characteristics include settings in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and the lack of magical, fantastic, paranormal, or other speculative fiction devices. These are the kind of stories that are described as general fiction, mainstream fiction, or sometimes literary fiction, in adult collections. Novels in the Life Experiences classification are often about coming of age, interpersonal relationships, and issues that face contemporary teens.
