Exploring Heritage: The Importance of Cultural Roots in YA Literature

Introduction: More Than Just a Story For a long time, Young Adult (YA) literature was dominated by universal tropes—the hero’s journey, the first heartbreak, or the struggle against a dystopian regime. While these themes resonate with everyone, there is a deeper, more personal layer that today’s readers are increasingly seeking: the story of where they come from.

Exploring heritage in YA isn't just about looking backward; it’s about a young person looking in the mirror and finally understanding the reflection they see.

The Mirror and the Map In the formative years of adolescence, identity is the central puzzle. For children of immigrants or those from multicultural backgrounds, this puzzle has extra pieces. Cultural roots provide both a mirror—showing readers that their specific traditions and histories are worthy of being the center of a story—and a map, helping them navigate the complexities of living between two worlds.

Magical Realism as a Bridge to the Past Sometimes, the weight of heritage is too vast for "plain" reality. This is where magical realism becomes a vital tool. In my own work, Eureka and the Magical Trio, I use elements like a magical kaleidoscope and a painted mandala to help Eureka navigate her Lithuanian-American identity.

These aren't just "magic items"—they are metaphors for the different lenses through which we view our culture. One lens might show the vibrant colors of our ancestors’ art, while another helps us see through the fog of displacement and the struggle of the immigrant experience. By blending the mystical with the everyday, we can express the "magic" that feels present when we connect with a long-lost tradition or a grandmother’s story.

Healing the Generational Gap One of the most powerful aspects of writing about cultural roots is the exploration of the parent-child bond. Heritage is a gift passed down, but it is often a heavy one. In YA literature, we see characters move from resentment or confusion about their "different" background to a place of pride and partnership with their elders.

When we read about characters who embrace their roots, we learn that our heritage isn't a tether holding us back—it’s the ground that allows us to stand tall.

Conclusion: A Call to Discovery Whether you are a Lithuanian-American teen in Massachusetts or someone discovering a new culture for the first time through the pages of a book, heritage reminds us that we belong to something larger than ourselves.

Literature is the bridge. As authors, we have the privilege of building that bridge, one word—and one memory—at a time.