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How far is too far?
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From: Uma Krishnaswami <uma>
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:46:26 -0600
I find myself wondering why I am more troubled by over-the-top bathroom humor in young children's books than violence and sexuality in fare for older readers. Perhaps it's because in much YA fiction, at least the kind that's done well, that content is there for a purpose--maintaining a voice, exploring character or context, any one of a number of reasons all related to craft. In many of the potty humor books, OTOH, the content feels gratuitous, there for no other reason than because it sells. A reading diet consisting only of these books (as is sometimes the case, some parents being delighted that their children will read ANYthing!) is a bit like eating only potato chips and then claiming your meals include vegetables.
Still, rather than worrying about what kids want or need, what's good for them or not, it seems the writers of books that endure write from a place of greater integrity, serving the story rather than some perceived audience. Unlike the intentionality of a skilled teacher or a counselor, it's paradoxical that the power of the most effective books lies in voice and story, and not in the intent to teach or change a reader.
All best,
Uma
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:46:26 -0600
I find myself wondering why I am more troubled by over-the-top bathroom humor in young children's books than violence and sexuality in fare for older readers. Perhaps it's because in much YA fiction, at least the kind that's done well, that content is there for a purpose--maintaining a voice, exploring character or context, any one of a number of reasons all related to craft. In many of the potty humor books, OTOH, the content feels gratuitous, there for no other reason than because it sells. A reading diet consisting only of these books (as is sometimes the case, some parents being delighted that their children will read ANYthing!) is a bit like eating only potato chips and then claiming your meals include vegetables.
Still, rather than worrying about what kids want or need, what's good for them or not, it seems the writers of books that endure write from a place of greater integrity, serving the story rather than some perceived audience. Unlike the intentionality of a skilled teacher or a counselor, it's paradoxical that the power of the most effective books lies in voice and story, and not in the intent to teach or change a reader.
All best,
Uma
-- Uma Krishnaswami Books, links for teachers and writers, FAQs, and South Asian children's lit resources at http://www.umakrishnaswami.com """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Ignore your rights and they will go away.Received on Fri 24 Jun 2005 12:46:26 PM CDT
