From: Randall Wright <randallwright>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 23:08:23 -0600

I learned about sex from a book. It was called "The Man from O.R.G.Y." It was hidden in my dad's dresser. It was not a very accurate picture of the facts of life, but it was the only "solid information" I had (along with a couple of 'borrowed' Playboys). A better resource would have been my parents, but apparently they were too embarrassed to ever broach the subject with me.

Many teens, I'm sure, find themselves in the position I was in-not only about sex, but drugs, alcohol, violence, etc. As a writer I'm not sure I have the wisdom to write a book that would teach without titilating (or preach without prudery). I'm not sure my own moral attitudes are appropriate for that age group. Part of why I write is to make sense of my own world. I certainly wouldn't want someone setting my books up as a blueprint for how to react to life. The only person I have something to say to is myself. My readers might find a resonance in my writing, but that is just dumb luck (IMHO).

Many of you librarians have a tough job. How do you tell the difference between edgy YA that offers a real insight into real life with real consequences and edgy YA that plays to the Porky's crowd. Even harder is deciding if it matters.

Randall Wright A Hundred Days from Home (Henry Holt, 2002) Hunchback (Henry Holt, 2004) The Silver Penny (Henry Holt, 2005)
Received on Tue 20 May 2003 12:08:23 AM CDT