Young Adult Trauma: Representation, Intersectionality, and Friendship in Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows

Abstract

The trauma represented in YA Literature is relevant to young adult readers. The texts Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give (dir. George Tillman, Jr.) represent fantasy YA, dystopian YA, and contemporary YA, and give different contexts for the multitudinous nature of trauma. Outlining the history of trauma in the world and in literature before delving into its representations into these texts will provide context for the intricate ways they are used. The examples from these texts will provide proof of the popularity of trauma as a method of reaching viewers, who may have experienced similar traumas or post-traumatic symptoms. This is all to draw conclusions about the way and the reasons that young adult readers are impacted by reading about trauma in texts. Between race, gender, and sexuality, marginalized groups are often left out. Without these fictional representations, children who do not see themselves represented can feel like their experiences are not valid. The intersection of gender, race, and class is important to each of these texts, especially Six of Crows and The Hate U Give. Bardugo crafts her world utilizing these contexts to create a diverse cast of characters, all of whom come with their own form of trauma.