In reading an article here, I've become depressed and I've only been at work for 42 minutes.
Why does the world try to generalize about YA lit? Seriously. Teen books contain light, dark, happy sad, realistic, and fantastical themes. Sure, there's plenty of realistic books that deal with teen issues just as there's plenty of light teen books with happy endings. No one ever complains that adult fiction is all dark. Why then do people generalize so heavily about teen fiction? And then is asks this question: PopWatchers, do you think the genre is dangerous or beneficial for teens?
Seriously?
Does this question even need to be asked. I have a million answers but I don't want to even validate this question by giving even just one. I'm so tired of teen literature being degraded - when really some of the best literature written today is for teens. Next time someone writes one of these articles, I really hope they read more than just a handful of teen books before they start spouting off about teen literature thinking they know something about it - because clearly they don't. Or they could ask an expert in the teen literature field their opinion. I haven't seen anyone do that. Teen Books ROCK, it's time everyone understand that fact.
Why does the world try to generalize about YA lit? Seriously. Teen books contain light, dark, happy sad, realistic, and fantastical themes. Sure, there's plenty of realistic books that deal with teen issues just as there's plenty of light teen books with happy endings. No one ever complains that adult fiction is all dark. Why then do people generalize so heavily about teen fiction? And then is asks this question: PopWatchers, do you think the genre is dangerous or beneficial for teens?
Seriously?
Does this question even need to be asked. I have a million answers but I don't want to even validate this question by giving even just one. I'm so tired of teen literature being degraded - when really some of the best literature written today is for teens. Next time someone writes one of these articles, I really hope they read more than just a handful of teen books before they start spouting off about teen literature thinking they know something about it - because clearly they don't. Or they could ask an expert in the teen literature field their opinion. I haven't seen anyone do that. Teen Books ROCK, it's time everyone understand that fact.
3 comments:
I totally agree and give you huge KUDOS for blogging about this!!!!!!! Teen books do rock and many of the adults that take the time to read them* (that's the key) actually enjoy them more than most adult books!
That WSJ article is being taken out of proportion or something. The journalist wasn't very thorough. What he should have done is some research with people who are really into YA books. He should have gone to some blogs!
I completely agree with you. Generalizing all of YA as dark is completely ridiculous. Also, with books like "Wintergirls," which they mention, we might be helping people. Girls going through the same situation can open up after reading books like that. It's not condoning it, it's just putting it out there. But, on the opposite end, there are fabulous "happy" so to say YA lit.
YA lit definitely gets a bad wrap, which is incredibly sad.
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