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Common Sense and Censorship
Thoughts About Young Adult Literature
By Kelly Burgess
that, in turn, has links for teens to explore topics as diverse as books and comics, college and jobs, community service and even sex education.
Fennell says that Mid-Columbia does a lot more programming for teens and young adults than they have in the past. "This trend is just going to keep growing because there is really a need for it in libraries and bookstores," says Fennell. "We're beginning to tell teens, 'Hey, we want you in this space, and we want you to be reading.' I don't think that has always been the case, but teens are definitely showing us they want this. What happens is that they then become adults who love to read."
However, Fennell is no stranger to the occasional controversy when a parent or group of parents feels that the material the library is providing is too risqu笠
"We can't shelter kids too much," says Fennell. "A lot of the complaints that come in stem from the belief that if teens read about these things they may go out and do it, but I don't agree with that. Reading merely gives them a broader view of life. It can also open the lines of communication with their parents if you're reading the same books as your teen. Many of these books are definitely of a quality that could interest an adult and really make them think."
Smith couldn't agree more. In fact, she encourages parents to make informed decisions by reading a book they think may be objectionable in its entirety and then taking a few days to let it sink in. She thinks many parents would find that they have connected with their own inner adolescent.
"Real life is complex and full of high stakes and it includes characters and situations that we wouldn't wish on anyone," says Smith. "Why not let your teenager open a book and see himself as the hero, the survivor? I'll tell you a secret: Young adult literature does not moralize, but it does have a moral center. You would be hard pressed to find a book that was about a protagonist who doesn't grow and change in a positive way. And in those very rare cases where that's not true, ask yourself whether the author is challenging her readers to make the better choice."