Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

I am aware that this generation of teenagers is very provocative and I am saying this from firsthand experience being that I am also a teenager. This change is also accompanied by less censure. So my question is, how far is too far when it comes to the material in YA books? Is there a line to be crossed?

I haven't been reading much YA (as you could tell by my ongoing rant in my status updates!) but I will say that I have at least on YA book that I would never have expected to actually be a YA book. Living Dead Girl was horrific and terrifying. I honestly couldn't believe it wasn't an adult book. Is that the kind of line you mean?

Sans, I'm talking about any line in general. Like I'm noticing more and more YA books have strong sexual content. I'm not saying that YA books can't have sex but there's definitely tasteful (classy) ways of doing sex scenes and trashy ways.

I'm 47 and I've just discovered YA books. I've shunned them before because I'm obviously not a YA and I figured they'd be pretty bland anyway.
Well I've found the area spicy enough for my tastes. I've come to realize the definition of YA has less to do with content and more to do with the age of the leading character. It seems as if the leading character is in high school than the book is classed YA.
The last two series I read -both considered YA the leading characters entered into sexual affairs with their teachers. At 47, I think that's kind of nasty and I'd like to prosecute these fictional pervert teachers. But I do remember being in my teens when that was a hot fantasy of mine.
That leads into a question of whether these books are actually age appropriate. Personally, I'm not a big believer censorship. Or actually I am somewhat a believer in censorship. I just think it should be done on a case by case, person to person level. I think there are some parents out there who wouldn't their teenagers reading the two series I just finished. But I thought they were great.
I don't have the answer. I don't have a firm stance. On one hand, I don't really see the harm in these books and I don't have a problem with them being classified as YA. On the other hand, I'm inclined to respect what parents do or do not want their children exposed to.

Some friends and I have been talking about this on one of my status updates. We've been talking about how each teenager/child is different and some are mature enough to read things like sexual content or adult situations, etc, but that most books written for the YA base seems to be written down to a younger level.

Irene wrote: "The last two series I read -both considered YA the leading characters entered into sexual affairs with their teachers."

Wow. What series were those, Irene? Maybe I've just been reading the wrong YA books!

The House of Night books should not be classified as YA. Early in the first book, the main character walks-in on a couple in the hallway. The girl is practically begging the guy to let her give him another blow-job. Come on, this is YA and is not necessary. They pushed it too far when the main character lost her virginity to her paedophile teacher. Gross.

The only thing YA about this series is the immature and selfish characters.

My niece is 11 years old and reads well beyond her age. This book was on her 'to-read' list. I'm glad I read it before she got a chance, 'cause its now been removed from her list. I don't usually believe in censorship, but those in charge must realize that YA books are read by pre-teens and adults.

Sashana wrote: "I am aware that this generation of teenagers is very provocative and I am saying this from firsthand experience being that I am also a teenager. This change is also accompanied by less censure. So ..."

Great question. As a parent, I say that ultimately, let's deal with reality not literature. When I was in high school, about 20 years ago, we had one pregnant girl. When I started teaching, over a decade ago, we had a bunch of pregnant girls, in middle school. I think fiction is just reflecting the changes in our society. If we don't like that reflection, parents need to step up and do their jobs- it's not the fault of books (or movies, or music). Books can be a tool- I don't know how many books have sparked conversations with my kids that would have been awkward to start out of thin air.

I completely agree with Shay that the direction in which YA books are going reflect the change in our society. We can't blame media whether it be books, music, or movies for the way that teens act. I think a majority of these books do a great job of showing how teens really feel when they get in a hurry to grow up and can definitely open discussion oportunities for parents. In fact one of the books that I read recently (Before I Fall) has a teen contemplating losing her virginity and her friend gives her a condom and tells her "no glove, no love" and I though that was a great way to get across to the reader that if you are going to do it anyway that you need to be responsible about it.

Lacy wrote: "I completely agree with Shay that the direction in which YA books are going reflect the change in our society. We can't blame media whether it be books, music, or movies for the way that teens act...."

My mother and grandmother used to say that every generation of youth has always been thought of as the "one". The flappers, Elvis, the Beatles, Dylan, punk rock, etc. Every generation is convinced that people who listen to or read certain books is the generation that will be (the one) responsible for the collapse of civilization. Guess what? It's not happened yet. My grandmother and mother used to say, "Don't ever be the old lady that hoards baseballs." (You know, from the pesky neighborhood hooligans. Once it's in your yard, it's your property.) Let the young enjoy their youth without resentment, in other words. It will either make you feel young or make you feel old...your choice.

Yeah my parents always told my sister and I that there was nothing that we could do that they hadn't already done. They kinda grew up with the hippy mentality and as my dad would say, " he was burning the candle at both ends and in the middle." Basically my parents were extremely laid back with their parenting and never told us no. Really I think sometimes that my sister and I are the parents in that relationship, but it taught us that real life is not what you see on TV or read in books. In real life you have to own up to your mistakes and live with them. I think many parents need to teach their children that instead of trying to lay that blame on others.

Angie wrote: "The House of Night books should not be classified as YA. Early in the first book, the main character walks-in on a couple in the hallway. The girl is practically begging the guy to let her give h..."

Definitely agree with you about the HON series. I’m not a prude and I’ve read pretty outrageous things but that book knocked the socks off of me-and not in a good way. And times are changing but that doesn’t mean that censure should be excluded from these books when the target audience is teens. Like I said, you can write about risqué situation two ways, classy or trashy.

Angie wrote: "The House of Night books should not be classified as YA. Early in the first book, the main character walks-in on a couple in the hallway. The girl is practically begging the guy to let her give h..."

My ten year old sol reads beyond his age. But he is not allowed to read a book before I have read it.

I have also used books and tv shows as a way to open conversations about subjects that I may not feel comfortable starting. My younger sister always questions why I let him watch law and order svu and other shows like that. The answer is simple: because he asks questions about it. Because of the shows we have dicussed what sex it, what rape is, how drugs and alcohol can get you into really big trouble, and other subjects that need to be talked about.

I think YA books should be more censured.

They do allow parents to start convasations with there kids about certain topics, but a lot of parents I know wouldn't bother reading the books with there kids.

However a lot do reflect what teenagers are like now, but some of the books need to be more classy about the ways they talk about the sences. As I've seen 10 year olds picking up YA books.

Sabrina Fair wrote: "Frankie wrote: "I think YA books should be more censured.

They do allow parents to start convasations with there kids about certain topics, but a lot of parents I know wouldn't bother reading the..."

Your right that it is the parents job to censor what their children come in contact with, but they also have to realize that there are going to be things that they are going to hear and learn about from their peers that they cannot control. Part of it is that parents have to learn to be parents and not their child's best friend. Make the teens understand that if you have sex and get pregnant that you have to love up to that responsibility. Too many of the girls I know that had babies at teens never learn their lesson because their parents raise the baby and they go on with thier party lifestyle.

House of Night and Vampire Academy both of teenage High School girls having sex with their teachers.
In House of Night, the girl realizes her teacher was a creep AND he dies but in Vampire Academy, I just finished book five the girl still thinks her teacher is the love of life.

Sabrina Fair wrote: "Frankie wrote: "I think YA books should be more censured.

They do allow parents to start convasations with there kids about certain topics, but a lot of parents I know wouldn't bother reading the..."

Sabrina, I really like this. It's really well done.