ptero27 says:

What is the general opinion about what is considered "appropriate" in YA Fiction? I know this is why some books end up banned, too much sex, drugs and risque behavior. I am no prude, and I did my fair share of naughtiness in my tweens and teens, but I am still a little shocked by some of the language, actions and material in some YA books. I know that that is what kids are going through and it is healthy to explore and think and consider these things, but I am wary to recommend some titles. Anyone have clear line in the sand?

#1 Posted 1 years ago

sallybunny says:

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule here as what one person finds appropriate another will run a mile from (think of the reaction to Harry Potter from some quarters...). What I find works is knowing your Children and Young Adult stock inside out and getting to know readers and then pointing them to books that you think will work for them. If you've got someone who likes chick lit type stuff, don't recommend Melvin Burgess (although he's one of my faves and a genius!)! Same with web recommendations. Spell out what the content of the book is and use the old 'if you like this try....' trick. This should hopefully draw the right people to the right book.
If a parent is concerned about what their child is reading, you find that they take an interest in what they're taking out of the library and may even restrict them to the younger fiction so not too much to worry about here.
But at the end of the day, books are the safe way of finding out about the world. Yes, they might read about something they shouldn't be, and they might read about something that's illegal for them to do, or something we think they shouldn't know about, but they'll find out all about this from friends or from the internet or some source anyway. If you have stock that you can say will appeal to a wide audience and that is well written and encourages people to keep reading, it should all be fine!!

Sorry to be rambly but it's something close to my heart!!

#2 Posted 1 years ago

BookSmuggler says:

I agree with most of what sallybunny says (I actually think you could pull Melvin Burgess with the right chick lit reader - I mean, isn't "Doing It" just chick lit for guys?).

We have an issue in my library where many of the teenagers are discouraged by their parents from reading about relationships (let alone sexual ones), drugs and alcohol. We still have fiction that deals with this on the shelves obviously, but we try to pick books that are well-written and present these issues as integral and insightful parts of the story, rather than as superfluous and gratuitous.

#3 Posted 1 years ago

ptero27 says:

Nicely said, everyone!

#4 Posted 1 years ago