Young adult novels are essential for myriad reasons: they are educational, relatable, and an escape for those who read them. It is important when teaching a class that includes these books that recurring themes are highlighted. This provides a full understanding of why these novels are important to read for young adults and provides insight into the characters' motivations and relationships. These important characteristics of YA lit are: the power structure that exists between children/young adults and adults, survival, the idea of ​​the underdog, personal growth/self-actualization, and isolation versus conformity. Most of the time these themes occur throughout the protagonist's journey, whether the quest is physical or emotional. Overall, YA lit themes can be summarized as valuing relationships with others and with oneself. The following works perfectly demonstrate this general theme and all that it entails. A novel that successfully demonstrates the power dynamic is the first book in the Bartimaeus trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. It revolves around a young boy, Nathaniel, who is a magician's apprentice in London. Adult wizards possess all the power in London and in their families. In this novel it is the duty of every magician to adopt an apprentice. Nathaniel's adoption is described in a conversation between a clerk and Nathaniel's new master, Arthur Underwood:“Mr. Underwood waved his pen. “His parents…left, I guess?” “Yes, sir. They couldn't escape fast enough. The usual type: take the money and run. I barely stopped to say hello. “And all the normal security procedures…?” “His birth records were removed and destroyed, sir, and he was rigorously educated… middle of paper… these novels, and the YA literary genre in general, are the idea of ​​a quest/journey and the protagonist is a loser. Percy goes on a quest in a literal sense, Amir physically travels back and forth between countries, Nathaniel is on a quest to save the government, and Katniss' quest is to survive. They are all underrated and are not expected to succeed. Young adults can learn a lot from their experiences These novels can even help them cope with misconceptions placed on them in their lives. By watching someone your age, going through similar difficult emotions and situations, young adults can better learn to cope with their reality.