YA Fiction Unintentional Comedy Awards

We all had our favourite young adult fiction series. Back in the day, a ton of authors and publishers were jumping on the Sweet Valley High bandwagon to produce fast-turnover thematic novels for impressionable young people. They had to be slick. They had to be fashionable. They had to be down with the kids.

This means, of course, that they aged very quickly. YA fiction of the 80s and 90s, get ready for a roast.

The 'Bold Look, but OK' Award

YA novel covers aimed at girls tended, in the 80s and 90s, to feature hyper-trendy teens in rad outfits. Check out some of these blinders.

Madonna/Polly Pocket chic, with blancmange headpiece.

Wizard attempting to pass for a muggle.

These girls look like they came out of a Christmas cracker.

Fact: Guys like girls who dress as fancy toilet roll covers.

The 'Teenage Life is Very Interesting' Award

My teens were mostly made up of school and being awkward around boys. However, one iconic series made us all believe we were missing something.

Hostage!

Hostage! Kidnapped!

Hostage! Kidnapped! Kidnapped by the cult!

Phew. A break from all those abductions to have a fling with an actual prince.

Oh come on!

The 'Ooh-Er, Missus' Award

The meaning of words can change over time. However, it's hard to see how some of these titles passed the last edit. The Sweet Dreams series was particularly guilty of featuring girls who just wanna have fun.

This girl can also handle more than one guy, apparently. And a dog.

Finally, this one doesn't REALLY count but I couldn't not include it. Apparently it means 'Fear of Death' in Dutch.

Some doods bang. Get over it.

The 'Project YAtree' Award

These books are Not OK.

Nope.

A bit dodge.

Absolutely not.

The 'International YA Novels Are Batshit' Award

Many well-loved YA series books were translated into other languages for international audiences. Some of the covers, particularly for the horror or thriller genre, were...interesting?

Don't ask.

The 'Misery Loves Company' Award

There was a brief trend for incredibly depressing YA books. Look at these bundles of fun.

Bloody hell.

And, Finally, the 'Worst Covers Ever' Award

Some covers (like the international ones above) had madly creative artwork. Some were colourful and very of their time. And then there are the ones that just gave zero fucks.

Love Dead Eyed Nurse XXX

Everything about this cover hurts.

The award for worst cover goes to The Drop-In, for what looks like an accidental photo of a supermarket.

If you love YA novels, check out Don't Point That Horror at Me - a podcast celebrating (and heckling) the Point Horror series.