There's nothing quite like a little career suicide in the morning...

Here we go again. In a fairly rambling article written by Katie Crouch and Grady Hendrix (co-authors of The Magnolia League) that appeared on slate.com this morning, another round of generalizations and ridicule has begun. What is absolutely baffling is that the people casting these aspersions are, themselves, writers of a YA series. This does not compute. From the beginning, the article left me with a continuously raised eyebrow as I tried to make sense of the somewhat incoherent rambling that took place. Then, the insulting of my and my fellow readers' intelligence and the writings of the authors we read began.

It's news to me that I don't care about rumination. I suppose the two days I spent thinking about all of the nuances of Maggie Stiefvater's latest novel were a hallucination. I suppose my appreciation for a well-constructed sentence is all in my imagination, as well. What I don't understand is why these two writers thought it would be a good idea to ridicule and insult their readership along with their fellow authors. If they feel themselves to be so superior to YA writing, why do they do it? Why is likening a writer of YA literature to a pedophile A-OK to these people? If they had hoped to come across as tongue-in-cheek, they failed miserably. All they have succeeded in doing is denigrating the readership that includes the readers of their own books. I am just thankful that I hadn't read The Magnolia League yet. I would have hated to have written a review for them only to regret it later.

It seems to me that perhaps they have shed a light on their own writing habits. It is just unfortunate that they thought to drag down their fellow YA authors along with them. Fortunately, authors and readers alike were not content to take their nonsense lying down and made their displeasure known. Crouch and Hendrix summed up my reception of this article very well with their own words: "Of course, we know that eventually they'll turn on us." Indeed. Self-fulfilling prophecy, anyone?

A Close-Up of the YA Audience

Recently, Library Journal published an article entitled "Not Just for Teens: A 35 Going on 13 Special," written by Angelina Benedetti. The topic: the increasing number of adult readers turning to YA literature. In the aftermath of the inflammatory article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Benedetti's article was a well thought out breath of fresh air. Rather than questioning suitability, content, or motives, Benedetti focuses more on the appeal factor of YA books, as well as the importance of promoting them to a wider audience.

In the midst of the article is a list of possible reasons why adults are electing to read more YA novels. I really enjoyed this aspect of the article and was provided with food for thought in regard to my own tastes and why I like the books I've been reading so much. Among the reasons listed were:

• coming-of-age stories: they haven't lost their appeal!

• writing: YA draws attention through excellent writing and influential prizes

• "emotional immediacy": According to Benedetti, YA list is made to draw the reader in during the first 15 pages, whereas adult novels often take up to 50 pages to do so

• authors making crossovers: more and more authors are writing for both age groups

• "the Mom factor": Moms are reading what their teens are reading and gaining interest in their own right. I especially loved this section of the article. I thought it was an excellent reminder of the importance an rewards of reading with kids.

• Ebook reader demographics: Statistically, the majority of ereader users are adults. There has been an increase in YA ebook sales, so it stands to reason that this audience is made up of a sizeable chunk of adults. However, it is difficult to know for sure since there is not a definitive study to refer to that can pinpoint exactly how big this audience is.

Benedetti closes her article with an entreaty to both adult and youth service librarians to promote YA titles to both audiences. I found it refreshing that Ms. Benedetti was able to see the value of YA literature and avoided sensationalizing the topic. This article is simply a look at who is reading and why, which is definitely needed as of late. I found this to be a valuable article to read when considering my future career path, as I will be entering graduate school next fall. I am thrilled to know that people, no matter their ages, are reading, and I can only hope that the numbers continue to rise.

What do you think of the information set forth in the aforementioned article? Do you agree with the listed reasons? Do you have additional ideas? I'd love to hear them!

A More Thoughtful, Critical Approach to the WSJ Fiasco

Now that the dust has settled somewhat and I have calmed down from my initial reaction to the article in the Wall Street Journal about YA literature yesterday, I wanted to make a more thoughtful, critical approach with my thoughts on Ms. Gurdon's article. My initial reactions were anger and frustration. Now, however, my feelings have cooled, somewhat, to sadness and frustration (I can not escape the frustration in regard to this piece). I say sadness because the knee-jerk reaction is, once again, that these books should be censored. Don't get me wrong, I understand that some readers may not be emotionally prepared for some of the books referred to. That's fine. There are certainly books I would not have been prepared for, myself, at that age. However, there are also books I could definitely have benefited from.

To say that these books should be banned or censored does more harm than good. What of those readers who just might need to read a book featuring characters experiencing, facing, and overcoming difficult situations? What of those readers who just might learn something about sympathy for those in situations different from their own? What of those readers who need to know that they are not alone in their struggles? It is the height of hubris to say that books about life's weightier, more difficult issues should be banned or censored. If there is a concern that a book not appropriate for certain readers' sensibilities will fall into the wrong hands, why not take a more active approach to your children's reading habits? Read with your children, gauge what they might be capable of reading, and discuss it with them. Sticking your head in the proverbial sand about the existence of difficult issues (in the article referred to as "depravity") does nothing more than cause a disconnect between parent and child. I speak from personal experience on this one, both in observing the lives of friends who encountered terrible situations and battle my own, personal demons and home life issues.

The mother referred to by Ms. Gurdon also troubles me a great deal. As a parent in my own right, I can not fathom her position. She says she saw nothing but books with "lurid and dramatic covers" containing "all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff." Ms. Gurdon goes on to say the available material is, "So dark that kidnapping and pedastry and incest and brutal beatings are now just part of the run of things in novels directed, broadly, at children from the ages of 12 to 18." The extraneous usage of "and" aside, such broad, blanket statements are dangerous things. Sure, these topics do exist in some YA novels, but not all YA novels. Making such statements without the benefit of having done the proper research to back it up is (to use one of my favorite words in relation to this article) asinine. As Abraham Lincoln said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Ms. Gurden does have rights to freedom of expression, which allows her to write without fear of prosecution. However, her generalizations and misconceptions made her come across in a very foolish manner, especially in light of her comments toward librarians, book sellers, and publishers who stand up against censorship. As a journalist, I would have thought she would have been more on board with the notion of free speech. From the appearance of her article, she appears to be only interested in her own right to free speech while begrudging authors the right to theirs.

My favorite analogy in relation to the situation in the book store was posted on Twitter. Statements such as the one made by the mother would be akin to walking through the produce section of a grocery store with one's eyes closed and then saying that the store sells only meat. That is essentially what happened here. This mom, with no research in hand and poor guidance from a store employee, could not see the forest for the trees.She overlooked all of the books she would have approved of in favor of those that made her uncomfortable. This is a sadder situation still for her seeming willingness to jump to conclusions about YA lit as a whole. Where is the informed decision-making in this situation? I certainly don't know, but it will serve as a lesson for me, in any case. Now I know what not to do as a parent in relation to my child's reading habits.

Darkness Too Visible? Your Generalizations Are Showing.

I should really be going to bed, but I have been thinking about this article from the Wall Street Journal for the past hour or so. Rather than lie in bed and fume about it, I'm going to have my say. In the article, one Meghan Cox Gurdon takes it upon herself to spout off many generalizations about young adult literature, including the use of words like "depraved," as well as lovely sentiments such as this: "Now, whether you care if adolescents spend their time immersed in ugliness probably depends on your philosophical outlook." Pardon me? Ugliness? I have read a great deal of YA literature in my lifetime. Granted, I am now 28 and a mother in my own right, but that does not mean that I can't appreciate a good YA novel. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made the decision to pursue a library science degree after undergraduate school and make youth services librarianship my life's work of choice. In any case, out of all of the books I have read, I can not honestly say that ugliness is a characteristic I would apply to any of them. Where I do see ugliness is the real world. Most of the YA I have read takes a look at ugly topics and has the protagonist face and overcome them. This world is not an easy place to live in, nor is life easy for everyone. I was a teenager once. I remember how it felt to feel alone. Books got me through many of the rough patches I experienced then, much as they do now.

Another aspect of this article that rubbed me the wrong was was Ms. Gurdon's implied vilification of librarians. Several of her references to libraries, librarians, and the ALA came across with thinly veiled snideness. Rather than addressing one of the real issues (i.e. parents who don't take the time to discuss what their kids are reading with them or, God forbid, pick up the book and read along with them), Ms. Gurdon seems to have gone the over-generalized, scapegoat route with her article. She seems to have picked some of the more sensational examples she could think of to pad her article with shocking statements and then proceeded to lump every single book in the genre along with them. Much like any other reading level, YA is much more varied than that, yet you don't see her mentioning this. Why is that, Ms. Gurdon?

Finally, I would like to address the mother mentioned in the article. I was troubled to see the old adage of judging a book by its cover take on an alarmingly literal aspect. She took special care to mention "lurid covers." That is only the outer face of a book. I find it difficult to believe that out of all of the books set before her she couldn't find a single one whose topic didn't make her cringe. As I previously said, books are varied. There is a wide array of subject matter out there, not all of it "dark" (I would be more inclined to say "weighty"). The book store employee was no better. How about some honest to goodness research for once. I simply can not take anyone seriously who casts aside a book without so much as finding out what it's really about, no matter if it is a YA book or adult fiction. An over-abundance of idealisation is not going to be the most helpful route to take in this day and age. I know that I wish some of the books I have most recently read had been available 10 years ago. I felt incredibly alienated at times and would have benefited from a book that addressed the harder issues that plague society. I am, however, glad that I will have the opportunity of reading with my daughter and then discussing what we read. She might not be able to read yet, but I hope she will grow up with a love of books as insatiable as my own.

I will admit it, this article left me feeling very angry. It was akin to a slap in the face to have one of the genres that has played such a big role in my life be vilified. Censorship is never okay, so to see Ms. Gurdon mention those who stand against it in such a scoffing manner was very upsetting. To write an article so full of generalizations, stereotypes, and demeaning language is ridiculously asinine. However, she has the right to do so, much as everyone has the right to write or read as they see fit. I highly doubt Ms. Gurdon would appreciate having her work censored. Censorship is a slippery slope. The phrase, "Be careful what you wish for," especially comes to mind. Rather than implying that certain topics be done away with, why not set about to engage in informed discussion? Perhaps then each side would understand the other better.

"The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame." -Oscar Wilde

"We read to know that we are not alone." -C.S. Lewis

"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." -G.K. Chesterton



Did the article upset and/or offend you? Have something to say to the Wall Street Journal? Let them know! There is a Twitter hash tag campaign in progress to let them know what YA really means to its readers. Click the button above to go to the Twitter #YAsaves page. Then, write a tweet. In your tweet, write how YA has changed or affected your life and include the hashtag #YAsaves and address it to @wsj.