When the Kingston Book Fair returns to Devon House on March 7, it will feature a Young Adult (YA) Readers Hangout geared for older teens and young adults who are interested in browsing novels and other writing by Jamaican literary writers and also by teenage writers.

In addition to online and paper browsing, the hangout will have creative writing challenges and a panel featuring teen writers.

The four Jamaican authors whose books will be featured in YA Readers Hangout represent a panoramic look at contemporary Jamaica. They are: Diane Browne, Island Princess in Brooklyn; Carol Dunn, Mountain of Inheritance; Melanie Schawpp, Dew Angels; and Gwyneth Harold Davidson, Young Heroes of the Caribbean.

Musgrave medallist Diane Browne’s book Island Princess in Brooklyn shows how Princess McQueen has difficulty in adapting to Brooklyn where she must reconcile the hard earned wisdom of her grandmother, with whom she spent her formative years as one of the many “barrel children” in Jamaica, and the everyday rough and tumble of school in the USA.

The Gleaner‘s review of Carol Dunn’s Gold award winning The Mountain of Inheritance notes that it “traces the interwoven lives of two families and explores the complexities of relationships among people struggling with their human flaws… She explores issues such as sexuality and loyalty in a new and interesting way… deals with the subject of post-partum depression with an expert’s hand, making it a lived learning experience for the reader.”

Melanie Schwapps’ Dew Angels was reviewed by Sasha Solomon who said it was “A beautifully, heartbreaking story for and through Nola. Rejection by her father, who she loves deeply, but who spurns her because her skin colour is so dark compared to her sister Louisa’s. He abuses her mercilessly with his words and his fists. We also (thankfully!) get to feel her abundant joy as she befriends Dahlia Daley, a fellow outcast, and they bond in such a way that it stays with Nola throughout all her experiences.”

Young Heroes of the Caribbean by Gwyneth Harold Davidson was reviewed by Emma Lewis who says that the book created much fertile ground for the imagination and that it will “likely provoke discussions at home and at school; and help young people to understand themselves and the goals they are striving for”.

The core story is that of Ramiro, a schoolboy growing up fast, living with his mother, who runs a small beachside restaurant; and Gail, a waif-like girl who lives on the beach, without family. The story of Ramiro and his family is interwoven with pivotal experiences of Jamaica’s National Heroes.”

There is no cover charge for the Kingston Book Fair which will run from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at Devon House.

More about the fair and info about the authors and Hangout activities can be followed on social media at: YAReadersHangout Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

Literature lovers can also get the most up-to-date information on the upcoming fourth staging of Two Seasons Talking Trees Literary Fiesta, which will be held at the Two Seasons Guest House in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth on Saturday, May 23.