This whole debate raging now about the darkness of YA fiction reminds me of the periodic furor regarding children's fairy tales and folktales. Will it damage little children if the wolf falls down the chimney and is boiled alive in the pig's cooking pot, or shall we just tweak the traditional ending a wee bit and make the wolf and pig become the best of friends instead?
Bleah. I've always preferred the grim versions of Grimm et al myself.
So some YA fiction is dark. So is life. And most YA fiction is NOT dark. There is plenty of action, mystery, romance, magic, historical fiction, and plain old harmless fluff around to suit absolutely anyone.
NPR aired a story on the topic yesterday, and our very own Candice Mack, YA Librarian at the Encino-Tarzana Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, spoke for librarians and teens. Well done!
Ugh, my least favorite is when The Little Red Hen decides to be nice and share at the end. No way! That lazy dog, cat and mouse deserve their comeuppance by the tale's end.
ReplyDelete