Neoliberalism and Young Adult Fiction

This incisive academic work provides a critical lens through which to view the pervasive influence of neoliberal ideology in contemporary young adult fiction, examining how these popular narratives often reinforce market-driven values of individualism and competition. Connors meticulously analyzes how YA literature frequently champions exceptional protagonists who overcome systemic barriers through personal grit alone, subtly promoting the neoliberal belief that social problems are best solved by individual effort rather than collective action. The book compellingly argues that this narrative pattern effectively erases structural inequalities while training young readers to internalize a worldview where success is framed as a matter of personal responsibility. This groundbreaking literary criticism reveals the hidden curriculum operating within stories that many young readers consume uncritically.

What distinguishes this scholarly analysis is its unflinching examination of how YA fiction participates in constructing what Connors identifies as a neoliberal social order, where characters are celebrated for their entrepreneurial spirit while systemic exploitation goes unchallenged. Educators, literary scholars, and critically-minded parents will find this work invaluable for understanding the political subtext of young adult literature and for facilitating more nuanced discussions with teen readers about the ideological assumptions embedded in their favorite books. By exposing how these narratives often prioritize individual exceptionalism over collective welfare, Connors provides readers with the analytical tools to recognize and question the neoliberal values permeating contemporary YA fiction, making this an essential contribution to both literary studies and critical pedagogy.