the art of listening
I think the reason I write stories for young adults is because I remember that when I was a teenager those angry thoughts inside my head -- "I hate you! Leave me alone! You're ruining my life!" -- were just code for "I need you to hear me." We all need to know that someone is listening, but for teenagers this seems especially important. Books offer proof that we're not alone in our desires and fears. Someone else thinks like we do.