The sand in the oyster.

Horror tales; Young adult literature; Paperbacks; Teenagers & death; Violence in literature; Suspense fiction; Young adult fiction; Murder in literature; Reading interests of young adults

The article discusses the success of young adult horror paperbacks. It is said that bookstores are awash in them and many teens will read nothing else. The author believes these books are not as bad as their reputation. The qualities that make these books popular are analyzed, including the comfortingly predictable plot formula and themes which address adolescent concerns about popularity. Complaints about the genre, such as the way the books seem to eroticize violence, are mentioned.