Christian YA

Something happened to my WiP. It's become a YA Christian novel. Not that I mind that, I don't, thought the marketability worries me. I didn't set out for this to be Christian. I knew it was a possibility, but I was sure there wasn't a market for edgy Christian YA. Last I heard, there was barely a Christian YA market to begin with.

Things have changed since I last browsed the Christian bookstore. Back then, the only fast-paced, well-written YA I could find was the Veritas duo from Frank Peretti. Which I adored. (The latter of which I bought and have re-read more than any other book.) But very little else.

Then I heard about about the most recent Christy (Christian fiction) award nominations. Which led me to the "Young Adult" category. (They have a young adult category?!?!?!?!) Which led me to contemporary, attractive covers like these:

Fun. Slightly boyish. Reminiscent of Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat or The Mysterious Benedict Society.

 Haunting and beautiful. I'm such a sucker for elaborate dresses on covers. Reminds me of any of Gail Carson's Levine books, like Ella Enchanted or The Two Princesses of Bamarre. (According to Amazon, this book [spoiler] even includes an exorcism, which would have been a bit "much" in earlier years.)

 Even the title, never mind the cover, reminds me of Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging. It looks to be one of those summery, chick-lit, reads. You know, the ones I don't read. Nevertheless.









So, Christian YA seems to have a place in this world. Legitimate covers in every genre. Legitimate stories. And I may now just have a story to join them.

Do you read Christian fiction? Any Christian YA? Have you read any of the books above, and do they live up to their covers?