Paperback Crush

September 15, 2018
There was a time when adults would not be caught dead reading teen books, especially not those lowbrow paperback series of the 1980s and 1990s. For Moss (Glop, 2016), these books presented powerful ideas of the woman she wanted to be?or not?and here she traces the development of the cheap teen paperback from the malt-shop dating stories of the 1950s to the "problem" novels of the 1970s, to the eventual Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Covering the major themes?romance, friendship (and friendship clubs), family, school, work, and supernatural danger?she examines the publishing juggernaut that produced infinite spins on white suburban-ness. Some babysitters made money; some had crushes on their friends' older brothers; some were stalked by serial killers. Moss' lovingly snarky writing style will fuel former teen-girl paperback readers' appreciation, and the 1980s-style graphic design adds to the nostalgia. And then there are the book covers, plentifully reproduced in these pages, portraying young women looking directly at the reader, looking into a hunk's eyes, looking out the window in horror?always a young woman looking.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

Starred review from September 1, 2018

Bustle features editor Moss (Glop: Nontoxic, Expensive Ideas That Will Make You Look Ridiculous and Feel Pretentious) takes a chatty and nostalgic dive through the history of the frivolous yet formative and influential genre of popular tween and teen series fiction of the 1980s and 1990s. Introducing readers to the early pioneers of modern-day YA literature, which began to solidify in the 1970s, the author then explores the themes and historical context of the paperback frenzy that resulted in the first book for young readers to make the New York Times Best Sellers list (a "Sweet Valley" entry, of course) and the career-making stardom of some its authors--including Ann M. Martin, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Caroline B. Cooney, Susan Beth Pfeffer, and more. Moss points out the lack of diversity of most of the series and problematic story lines but also highlights works that were ahead of their times in representation and themes. Full-color reproductions of classic covers, interviews with cover artists and models, and profiles of editors and authors scattered throughout add visual interest. VERDICT YA history buffs and academics alike will want to read, reminisce, and chuckle through this fun but well-done work.--Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2018

Bustle features editor Moss (Glop: Nontoxic, Expensive Ideas That Will Make You Look Ridiculous and Feel Pretentious) takes a chatty and nostalgic dive through the history of the frivolous yet formative and influential genre of popular tween and teen series fiction of the 1980s and 1990s. Introducing readers to the early pioneers of modern-day YA literature, which began to solidify in the 1970s, the author then explores the themes and historical context of the paperback frenzy that resulted in the first book for young readers to make the New York Times Best Sellers list (a "Sweet Valley" entry, of course) and the career-making stardom of some its authors-including Ann M. Martin, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Caroline B. Cooney, Susan Beth Pfeffer, and more. Moss points out the lack of diversity of most of the series and problematic story lines but also highlights works that were ahead of their times in representation and themes. Full-color reproductions of classic covers, interviews with cover artists and models, and profiles of editors and authors scattered throughout add visual interest. VERDICT YA history buffs and academics alike will want to read, reminisce, and chuckle through this fun and well-done work.-Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.