'My Brother's Husband': Young adult literature from Japan attracts a new global audience

Young adult (YA) literature bridges the divide between books for adults and books for kids. While ostensibly aimed at those in the 12 to 18 age group, recent statistics suggest that more than half of YA readers will never see their teens again, as reflected in the astounding success of series such as J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter," Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" and Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials."

Recently, Japanese works aimed at young adults have garnered attention on the international literary scene. In 2018, Eiko Kadono, writer of the beloved "Kiki's Delivery Service," won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award, the most prominent prize for international children's literature.