Can I give my opinion on this? When you look at characters, and you're involved in a story at the time, you forget how old the characters are and how old you are. The story makes you interested in the character. Not... actual boys that age. At least in my experience/anecdotal evidence from other people. I love a series where the main character is 16 years old. It's written from his point of view, and he's totally fantastic. And... I know this isn't the same for everyone, but for me, it's like 'if I were younger, and he were real, I'd be interested!'. I started reading the books when I was 14 years old, and I think I... am reading with part of me in that mindset still.