YA Saves!

I know there are probably already a million blog posts out there about this, but I HAVE to write it, friends. By now, I'm sure you've seen the article in the Wall Street Journal, Darkness Too Visible. Tears ran down my cheeks as I read it. But read it I did because I felt it only fair to do so if I was to comment on it. 


This isn't the first time an inflammatory article about YA has been posted by WSJ. Remember not that long ago this one appeared as well. I can't help but wonder if the WSJ received so many hits from the controversy associated with this article that they purposely proceeded to incite a reaction with the inflammatory nature of their latest. If that is the case, it is very sad that "journalism" can have deteriorated to this extent. 


I could comment here on quotes from the article. Things like "40 years ago, no one had to contend with young-adult literature because there was no such thing." CONTEND? Interesting word choice. And "In the book trade, this is known as "banning." In the parenting trade, however, we call this "judgment" or "taste."" NOT in this parent's opinion. I call it "closed-minded" and "paranoid".


But what's REALLY worth commenting on is the amazing response from our little community and beyond. The hashtag #YAsaves that appeared on Twitter took off like a firestorm. By Sunday morning it was the third highest trending topic in the US.


Books like those of Ellen Hopkins(read her post on this here), and Laurie Halse Anderson (whose excellent blog on this very subject should also be read) have literally saved the lives of the teens who found in their pages knowledge and self-empowerment. The understanding that they are not alone, that others have the same feelings and issues, and that there are consequences for their actions. 


The article mentions Suzanne Collins' HUNGER GAMES, one of my favorite books. It's referred to as "Hyper-violent". Never once in that book was the violence glorified, or glossed over. I'm proud to say I've not only given this book to my own child to enjoy, but I've now passed it to several others (with parental knowledge of course). Do I expect my son to go out and start shooting people with arrows? No. I expect him to think about standing up for his rights and those of others. About doing the right thing in the face of insurmountable odds. About the price of freedom. And so many other lessons available for anyone willing to look between the words. 


What YA author out there doesn't pay attention to the theme of her book? To character arc? Realistic teen voice and feelings? Trying to censor the material, and talking down to or hiding truth from teens only alienates them. Besides they deserve better than that. 


I am proud to write AND read YA. And I will continue to do so, and to recommend these authors and others to friends for both them and their children. 
photo credit

The Scariest Villain of ALL

I write and read a lot of paranormal. Which consequently, quite often, crosses over with horror. When I was younger, I used to be easily scared. I was afraid of werewolves in particular. Nowadays? Not so much. I can handle, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and monsters. I'm none too fond of evil clowns, but I can deal. What I can't understand are people that BAN books.

I am a huge proponent of never saying negative things on the internet. I don't like confrontation. I'm not an argumentative person in general. But sometimes things go too far. Sometimes I have to speak up, or risk losing my integrity.

Anyone remember Natzi Germany? Yeah, they burned a lot of books. Things by Jewish people like Einstein and Freud. Is this an extreme example? You betcha! But is it unrealistic? I don't think so.

This is America. We believe in the principles of freedom of speech, and, well, just freedom in general. That no matter what your beliefs are, I'm entitled to my own. And the scariest thing to me is that it seems what people are trying so hard to ban or remove are the books that realistically depict the situations teens have to face in their real lives. Ellen Hopkins anyone? How about Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson?

Then there are books that just make no sense to me. HARRY POTTER?? Just take a look at this list. THIS is what truly frightens me. This is the monster that goes bump in the night. So how do we go Van Helsing on it? Well, number one is speaking up. Letting the world know that this is NOT okay. That we support these authors and buy these books. That we recognize voices that cry to be heard, instead of keeping quiet and allowing them to be swept under the carpet. Or burned at the stake.

So? Are you going to help me fight the real monster, Ignorance? What have you done? What do you plan to do?