The article examines the prose of the US writer J. Asher, a popular author of young adult novels, who does not hesitate to bring up issues such as teenage suicides, peer relationships, social networks, etc. Considering Asher’s works in the context of contemporary young adult literature in the English language, N. Zelezinskaya singles out their defining features, such as plasticity of material, realism of descriptions and motivations, the use of multiple interwoven plotlines, experimentations with the form, elements of science fiction (e. g. characters travelling to the future), etc. Along with treatment of highly relevant and even poignant subjects, those are the reasons why Asher remains popular with teenage readers and keeps meeting their expectations with his new work.