Advocates have long argued that an increased role for young adult literature in the classroom would help students' reading development. At first glance, the widely adopted Common Core State Standards might seem in opposition to an increased role for such literature. A closer examination of the common core documents suggests, however, that young adult literature could actually be a strong fit with these new standards. This article examines the Common Core's rationale for text selection and demonstrates how young adult literature, as an alternative or complement to the classics, can meet the expectations of the Common Core and provide meaningful literary experiences for students.