Welcome to a new entry in an ongoing series exploring popular YA genres, tropes, and themes, as seen through the eyes of those who write them. Each guest piece provides insight on a topic that is beloved — or deserves more attention — in the YA world, including hallmarks, highlights, and books that exemplify the theme.
Ryan Douglas launches series taking a look at YA retellings and reimaginings. Since then, Carolina Ixta explored activism and hope, Stacey Lee offered her experience and insight into Gothic YA, and Diana Ma entered the popular world of franchise novels (where she was). power Rangers Were your books like theirs when I was a kid?)
I’m thrilled to welcome bestselling YA author Cody Keplinger for the latest entry in the series. Keplinger is best known for tambourineBut he has written several books for both young adult and middle grade readers. After the publication of Poison Ivy: Thorns She’s back in 2021, with illustrator Sarah Kippin for DC.
where do lost girls go Was released on 10 July. This is a cult story. Although it is fictional, like many other excellent YA novels that explore the theme, it is drawn from reality. But what, exactly, makes for a Good cult story? What are the elements that draw readers in and keep them looking for stories that explore them? What are some YA titles that exemplify why cultural stories are so appealing?
These are questions that Keplinger ponders deeply. without further ado!
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Why are we attracted to all religions?
I have been attracted to cults since my teenage years. At the time, I thought it made me weird or sick. I assumed it was the result of having a mother who exposed me to true crime at an early age (looking at you, forensic files). But when I reached my twenties and confessed my conspiracy to others, I quickly learned that I was not alone. no way. In fact, cults seem to be a special interest for many people.
I have been in a Discord server for at least five years with a few other people, where we discuss media specifically about sects.
But Why Are we that interested in these high-control groups? when I sat down to write where do lost girls go – a project that my editor strongly encouraged me to do because he is also fascinated by cults – I had to start with this question. And while there are many answers left to be found, I’ve developed a theory about the primary reason we’re drawn to these stories: because we want to know if it could happen to us.
Will we be like Shawn in that iconic episode? boy meets world (I learned that the source of many millennials’ initial intrigue about this topic), attracted by the promise of community? Can We Cope with Scientology’s Celebrity Allure? Is it possible that someone could come into our lives and convince us to eliminate our friends and family, as Sarah Lawrence’s children did?
This is why many sections of the media focus more on the leaders of these cults than on the victims or survivors. We want to study these people and assure ourselves that, whatever power they have, it will never work on us. I often hear this saying, “How Can anyone buy it?” Or “I would never fall into that trap.” But, I think, secretly, many of us harbor at least a grain of doubt.
And it makes sense that many people first develop this attraction in adolescence, because this is a time in our lives when we are beginning to differentiate ourselves as individuals, defining who we are, and when our social life feels like the whole world is different. It makes sense that this is a period of our lives when the concept of a cult would be both terrifying and intriguing. It’s a social group that, in some ways, promises that you’ll never be an outsider, but at the same time, many ask you to leave the identity you’re just beginning to build at the door.
while writing Where do lost girls go, I did a lot of research, particularly focusing on survivors and victims of high-control groups compared to leaders. And what I learned is that anyone – yes, Any – No matter how smart, how strong, how successful, one may be susceptible to the temptations of any one of these groups. If the right person comes along at the wrong place and time, they may feel like a hero rather than a stalker. It’s a scary thought, but it’s given me a lot of empathy for people who end up getting trapped in cults.
And I’m certainly not the only YA author who’s come to this conclusion. There are other wonderful books by authors that explore the inner worlds of teens caught in these dangerous dynamics. Because, again, Very People among us are fascinated by this topic. And there’s a lot more to say, especially when you consider how different some of these sects are from each other.
Here are some of my favorite YA novels about cults and cult-like dynamics.
scammer By Tiffany D. Jackson
I was immediately attracted to this book as soon as I read the summary. Partly because Tiffany D. Jackson is one of the most compelling voices in YA today and partly because the scenario of this book – about a college freshman whose roommate’s brother moves into their dorm and begins to exert control over their lives – reminded me of Sarah Lawrence’s college cult. This book is full of tension and perfectly captures the vulnerability of that first year of true adulthood.
little evil By Stephanie Kuehn
I’ve been a fan of Stephanie Kuehn for a long time. I think she’s one of the most powerful and unique voices in YA, and little evil Is one of my favourites. It is the story of a boy suffering from anxiety and chronic illness who goes to an expensive self-help camp, and what happens when he is the only witness to the mysterious disappearance of the leader. It’s a wild ride and, as with every Stephanie Kuehn book, goes in directions I never predicted.
Agnes at the end of the world By Kelly McWilliams
It is very unique and it surprised me. It tells the story of a girl named Agnes, who was born into a religious community under the control of a man who calls himself a Prophet, but when an outsider questions her about what is a sin and what is not, things get complicated. Even more complicated, because, just when she realizes she needs to escape, she discovers that a viral pandemic is sweeping the outside population. McWilliams really does an amazing job of exploring a cult survivor’s complex relationship with her faith and uses elevated, genre elements to emphasize the danger and fear of leaving the only community she knows.
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Cody Keplinger grew up in a small Kentucky town. During her senior year of high school, she wrote her first novel, THE DUFF, which is a New York Times Bestseller, USA TODAY Bestseller, YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and Romantic Times Top Pick. It has since been adapted into a major motion picture. Cody is also the author of The Duff’s companion, Lying Out Loud; It did not happen; run; To remove; And A Midsummer Nightmare. Cody lives in New York, where she teaches writing workshops and continues to write books for children and teens. You can find more information about him and his books here kodykeplinger.com.
Can’t you get enough cult stories? I recommend listening to this fantastic interview from last year with Candace Fleming, in which she discusses what attracted her to write a work of YA nonfiction about Jonestown, Death in the Woods: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown.
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