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Re: Lessons in YA Literature
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From: Paul W Goldschmidt <goldschp_at_tds.net>
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:52:44 -0500
I certainly don't feel that children's literature of any sort always has to teach a lesson, but I wonder if folks who say that are getting their target audiences confused. I notice a lot more moralizing and didacticism in middle readers where the author assumes the reader needs to be led to the proper conclusion. I also notice it in a good number of "controversial" books like Phyllis Naylor's Alice series (or even Judy Blume's books). In these latter cases, I am undecided if it was the author assuming the readers (who tend to be younger) needed the guidance or encouragement or if the author really was on a mission. But back to my point: when someone says that good YA needs to teach a message, I wonder if they are really thinking of books for younger readers. When we speak of "YA" here, I presume we're talking books targeted at the 14-18 age crowd, but I'm not convinced that the term "YA" is universally understood.
When kids are younger (and I won't venture an actual age range), I think they actually enjoy a book that sets clear expectations and rewards merit and punishes evil. As they get older, that isn't necessary.
For older teens, books which shove their agendas are pretty dull, and ultimately counterproductive. That said, however, there is a fine line between preaching and providing a moral north on the compass. "How To Steal A Car" is a wonderful example. It's a fine book but I was a bit twitchy by Hautman's decision to treat the subject so amorally. I don't think that the lack of a position made it a bad book, I just found it a bit disturbing and I didn't enjoy the read very much. At the end of the day, I personally still want good guys and bad guys (but that is a personal preference and not a reflection on good vs bad lit!). I think many teens can definitely handle moral ambiguity and it doesn't make a book good or bad.
But just to add fuel to the fire, how many of us wish that those Clique kids or A-List girls would get their just rewards for their rampant consumerism and anti-social behavior? It sure would be satisfying, but I fear it wouldn't make the books any better. :)
-- Paul Goldschmidt
Received on Fri 19 Aug 2011 10:52:44 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:52:44 -0500
I certainly don't feel that children's literature of any sort always has to teach a lesson, but I wonder if folks who say that are getting their target audiences confused. I notice a lot more moralizing and didacticism in middle readers where the author assumes the reader needs to be led to the proper conclusion. I also notice it in a good number of "controversial" books like Phyllis Naylor's Alice series (or even Judy Blume's books). In these latter cases, I am undecided if it was the author assuming the readers (who tend to be younger) needed the guidance or encouragement or if the author really was on a mission. But back to my point: when someone says that good YA needs to teach a message, I wonder if they are really thinking of books for younger readers. When we speak of "YA" here, I presume we're talking books targeted at the 14-18 age crowd, but I'm not convinced that the term "YA" is universally understood.
When kids are younger (and I won't venture an actual age range), I think they actually enjoy a book that sets clear expectations and rewards merit and punishes evil. As they get older, that isn't necessary.
For older teens, books which shove their agendas are pretty dull, and ultimately counterproductive. That said, however, there is a fine line between preaching and providing a moral north on the compass. "How To Steal A Car" is a wonderful example. It's a fine book but I was a bit twitchy by Hautman's decision to treat the subject so amorally. I don't think that the lack of a position made it a bad book, I just found it a bit disturbing and I didn't enjoy the read very much. At the end of the day, I personally still want good guys and bad guys (but that is a personal preference and not a reflection on good vs bad lit!). I think many teens can definitely handle moral ambiguity and it doesn't make a book good or bad.
But just to add fuel to the fire, how many of us wish that those Clique kids or A-List girls would get their just rewards for their rampant consumerism and anti-social behavior? It sure would be satisfying, but I fear it wouldn't make the books any better. :)
-- Paul Goldschmidt
Received on Fri 19 Aug 2011 10:52:44 AM CDT
