I've noticed that a lot of young adult books are beginning to be more racy than they used to be. It doesn't bother me now, but I am sure when I have a teenage daughter/son I will have some issues...
I guess when that time comes I will need to monitor what my children read

Any thoughts???

This is a problem for me. My daughter is 11 and she reads at an upper high school level. It's hard to find challenging yet appropriate books for her. I read a lot of YA in order to screen them and it seems for every three I read, only one is really something I'm comfortable with her reading. I don't mind her reading about kissing and sex as long as it's not graphic at this point. The way Stephenie Meyer handled things in Breaking Dawn was great. I appreciated the subtlety. Now there is this "middle school" category of books and it seems this is the category designed for kids like my daughter. This has left the YA open for more "grown up" things I guess. I have a 13 year old son who reads at a college level and it's even harder to find stuff for him. Again, I don't mind some of the content, but the graphic nature that I'm used to would not be appropriate for my kids!

I think it's all in how the author writes the content. I think Melissa Marr does great with keeping the sex behind the scenes yet you know it's happening. Now some of these books I won't even touch just because they seem way too trashy for me let alone a teen. Ex. Gossip Girl. I don't have a daughter( keeping fingers crossed that this one will be) but if I did now way would she be reading that trash.

Melissa wrote: "This is a problem for me. My daughter is 11 and she reads at an upper high school level. It's hard to find challenging yet appropriate books for her. I read a lot of YA in order to screen them a..."
Don't let her read the House of Night series by P.C. Cast. It is probably too racy for an 11 year old. There is a lot of talk about intercourse...A LOT more than I would normally expect of a YA book!

I think some of them are too racy. My oldest daughter is 17 and I cringe at some of the stuff she reads.

Thanks for the heads up Joy. I own that series and haven't gotten around to them. My daughter knows to ask me if I've read them yet before she tries them. I think I'll start a thread in the suggestions folder for some help with some pg ya books.

Melissa wrote: "Thanks for the heads up Joy. I own that series and haven't gotten around to them. My daughter knows to ask me if I've read them yet before she tries them. I think I'll start a thread in the sugg..."

Good idea!

L.J. Smith is a good PG YA author!

One of my friends mentioned House of Night the other days because she was suprised at how much sex was actually in it. Maybe they should start putting Parental Advisory labels on House of Night and Vampire Academy etc.

Fortunately, my daughter is just coming three and can't actually read yet. But the fact that at some point she will end up reading those books and probabaly worse, as the trend seems to be to make it more and more graphic, is worrying. There were times during House of Night when I forgot I was reading YA.

I know what you mean Karyn. I was extremely surprised at some of the content in House of Night. I remember turning to my husband when I read the first graphic scene(don't want to be specific and ruin it for some), and I told him exactly what I read...he didn't believe me. LOL I ended up making him read the series, just to prove it to him! He ended up loving the series though...so there is that.

Yes, The HON series is like that. I remember picking up Marked and was shocked to see that within the first 50pages there was somebody being given a 'blow-job' and as a fourteen year old, I was surprised about that.
I have read the Vampire Academy series, and I am glad to say that there is nothing in it that would breach the 'YA Code', that I found.

Ellen♥ wrote: "Yes, The HON series is like that. I remember picking up Marked and was shocked to see that within the first 50pages there was somebody being given a 'blow-job' and as a fourteen year old, I was sur..."
LOL That was the scene I was talking about from HON! LOL Kind of crazy to put that in a YA novel if you ask me...

I would avoid the YA books that have a lot of graphic sex in them. I find it disturbing although I know kids in real life do worse. The first book in the Vampire Academy book wasn't too over the top. I'm not sure I want to read the House of Night series for a variety of reasons, and this doesn't help. I don't have kids but I definitely feel for parents of teens and tweens nowaday. Sigh.

I think that the HON series has too much graphic sex, and thats what makes it disgusting for a YA novel. In the third Vampire Academy book Shadow Kiss when rose does have sex it isn't actually anything describing it, which I think is how YA sex scenes should be done.

I understand what you mean about the parents of teens, even I think that some YA books are breaching the 'code' *cough* HON *cough*, but i also think that only certain YA books should be read depending on how mature the teen is, and if there parents trust them with reading graphic books.

Hmm. I feel that I might to avoid the HON series in this case. I would like to continue reading the VA series. I do hope Rose had sex with Dmitri if she had sex with anyone. (I can't believe I just wrote that). :)

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "Hmm. I feel that I might to avoid the HON series in this case. I would like to continue reading the VA series. I do hope Rose had sex with Dmitri if she had sex with anyone. (I can't believe I j..."

The VA series is worth it! :) The HON I like, but it is really...well, you know...

Good to hear.

Well, I lot of books I read (I'm truning 13 in like 1 1/2 weeks) are really risque, but it really depends on the person. Like, I do fine with it, but I have a ton of friends that really can't handel it. I read at a higher level too, but it's really a muturaity (yes, I know, I spelled that wrong) thing.

If it is secular entertainment then the only real censorship can come from the parents. They are in it to entertain and make money not to give life lessons and be morally correct. Right?

Anyway. I am not a parent (whew!). I see what my 16 y o sister listens to and would be afraid to see what she watches or reads, lol. I honestly believe that if a parent does not want their kids reading a certain level of racy content, then they will know about. B/c they will have read it themselves or what have you.

Of course some things are going to push the envelope. It is what entertainment is about. I don't think it is on purpose. I for one know I don't mean to include certain scenes of phrases into my stories but they are there and would feel "less than" w/o them. Perhaps it is the same with YA authors that include some adult content.

Now I will have to read the different YA books of today to see what yall are talking about. V C Andrews has always been risque but I'd never consider her writing too racy for a teen.

It really does depend on how far the author goes. I just use HON as an example cause I found it abit.... there isnt even really a word for it....
But maturity is a big thing too, and I think parents have a right to know what there children are reading.
And I have to agree with Kenjii.

I def. think that some YA books are too graphic for teens. Although, I was just thinking about my YA years, and I skipped over the YA section BECAUSE at the time...they weren't racy enough for me. This meant I scoured the adult section and ended up finding things that were a lot worse.
Do you think that the reason YA books are becoming more racy, is to appease the teens so that they don't seek out even worse material?

Hi Joy
I still do the same thing. I skipped YA cause i thought they were too "young" for me. but now im hearing that they are racy.

you have a good point about tring to appease teens. I read my first adult book around 17 or 18 and was so nervous about it cause I didn't want my parents to see what I was reading. I did get a lot of stuff in it that you could say was worse. I was not really paying attention to the types of books I got. I ordered from a book club and ending up getting this erotica book hehe so it was pretty bad but in a good way.

Joy wrote: "I def. think that some YA books are too graphic for teens. Although, I was just thinking about my YA years, and I skipped over the YA section BECAUSE at the time...they weren't racy enough for me. ..."

No, I think it's just that if an author sees that a certain something will attract an audience she might be more likely to include that in her book. Teens are kind of scandalized by it, etc. so I would imagine it makes for good glitter.

I think you all have very good points.
But from a teenager POV I was surprised to find something so racy in the YA section. And adult books arent actually kept away from us at librarys- mine that is.
I am currently waiting for an adult book -Succubus Blues- to come back from mending so I can read it. It is available to teens and I think that also sets a sign as saying: 'teens can read adult books, even though there for adults because we let the borrow out adult books in their name'.
I also think that authors are maybe pushing the YA 'restrictions' abit these days too. You find that an author is able to slip in some racy scenes and not have critiques or editors pay big attention to them. But the readers -and maybe their parents- do notice them in the books, and they get paied concern as to 'is this something you should be reading even though its YA??'

I always borrowed adult books in my own name, LOL. The entire concept of a YA section is relatively new. It used to be books and... books, LOL. If a reader wants to read more, let her, I say. Outside of outright erotica, I don't think there's a ton that's inappropriate/shocking for teens to read.

No there are not many YA books that are to risque', but there are some that are.

new_user wrote: "I always borrowed adult books in my own name, LOL. The entire concept of a YA section is relatively new. It used to be books and... books, LOL. If a reader wants to read more, let her, I say. Outsi..."

I agree. I don't remember having YA books when I was a teen, either. I went from Beverly Cleary books to Stephen King books. I don't think it matters. I didn't sprout horns or turn into a perv.

NO, I do not feel YA books are pervie. But then I agree with Anne. I was reading Anne Rice during my pre-pubescence years and my parents simply sat back and marveled at how quickly I devoured books. Since neither of my siblings took to reading the way I did, choosing video games instead, I was given complete reign to read what I wanted. My favorite teacher, Ms. Soulis if you're out there this one's for you, printed out a list of books the school board had banned us from reading and ENCOURAGED me to read them all! THANK YOU!!!!!

That's how I found half of my favorite books! Part of what makes YA so enticing to read is the happy blend of fantasy and that fresh look at young love. I miss being that passionate because, and maybe this is just me, I never throw myself into a new relationship the way I did in my very first one. So unguarded and filled with hormones...the thrill of exploring certain things for the first time. Jeez! Why take all the fun out of YA! If anyone starts putting any sort of restrictions on YA writers you may as well just announce a book burning or ban them from young adults to read. Of course, you know what that will mean...a whole lotta 'book thieves' are gonna start popping up.

Also, I agree with new_user. There isn’t much that can shock a teen these days...it's between reading a risqué novel or watching an action packed, racy movie. I would always encourage READING over watching tube any day.

Haha! Being young with hormones! Lol.

Yeah, that sounded weird the way I worded that. I just reallllly miss my raging hormones...ah those were the days... ;)

Lol! Dont worry about it, I think its hilarious what you said - the raging hormone bit. Lol. =D

LOL! You are so right, Jessica! You never forget your first love. Well...Ok, you forget HIM, but not the way you felt when you were young and in love. Tee hee!

I don't think they should put restrictions on YA writers. If the YA books are all about virginity and unicorns, I think most teenager readers will do exactly what I did and skip to the adult section.

hahaha. I love this board. Ellen your pretty much awesome. For some reason the fact that you're laughing is making me laugh...and your cyber laughing! hahaha. Gotta love the lols.
Anne, that is exactly what I mean. I got a kick out of the virginity and unicorns comment. Sooooo true.

So funny. When I was a teenager I couldn't wait to be an adult and now that I'm an adult (sort of...well, I look like one at least) I totally miss being a teenager. Not enough to go back. Juuuust enough to look back with fondness.

I think everybody misses being what they once were. Teens miss being a kid or a younger teen. Adults miss being teens. elders miss being adults. etc etc. Lol.

Virginity and unicorns? Please point me in that direction I must have skipped a category! Lol.

Haha. Thanks Jessica.

I remember when I was about 12 years old my best friend was reading in the adult section. I told her "I would NEVER read adult books". LOL About 6 months later, I was! I came to the conclusion that most YA authors didn't suite me, and that in order to find the material I wanted...I needed to graduate to Adult books.
YA books are a lot better now than they used to be...Now, I sometimes pass over the adult books to get to the YA books. LOL Its so funny how the situation has flipped!

Sometimes I think I like YA books because they tend to have happier endings. Not realistic, but still...

Yes! Unicorns! I know I'm not the only one who's read The Last Unicorn! LOL

Speaking of virginity and unicorns, anyone read The Fairy Godmother? lol

And I can't say whether YA books are risque or not, but I don't see how that is really possible, lol. At 12 I was reading Christopher Pike and romance novels. Trashy ones, too. lol What can I say? I was curious. One of my favorite books was The Ugly Duckling. I still love it.

My daughter is 10 years old and reads books for her age but she's bored with them. I'm tempted to let her read some of these books. I know I enjoy them and she loves the idea of these worlds. I was going to let her start with Twilight but the size of it was intimidating so she has "backed off" from those ones lol. I've still got time to mold her into a mini-me so I'm not stressing her too much. She loves to read and that's what matters!
I for one, haven't found a YA book that was too graphic. Some of them have a lot of kissing and touching but they aren't goin at it like some of the PNR out there.

BonFire wrote: "Speaking of virginity and unicorns, anyone read The Fairy Godmother? lol

And I can't say whether YA books are risque or not, but I don't see how that is really possible, lol. At 12 I ..."


Niiiiice. You and I would definitely been besties when I was your age. I was reading Rice around 13 or 14.

Elvia, I love your enthusiasm. My mom encouraged much as you are your daughter. My mother would rather buy me all the Rice books in the world when I was a kid then let me watch certain movies my age group was pushing to see at the time.

lol We would! I actually would have probably loved Anne Rice at that age. I was already obsessed with vampires, werewolves, etc. I loved the Last Vampire series by Christopher Pike and I remember reading the Vampire series by Shannon Drake around that time too.

And you are an awesome mom, Elvia. Both my parents love to read and I was always encouraged to read whatever I could get my hands on. I think it's way more important than some parents realize. I think anyone would love reading, but some people just aren't introduced to it properly.

I think at 10 years old I was really into fantasy. There are a lot of good books out there in that genre that shouldn't be too complicated for a smart 10 yr old. :)

I'm so grateful to my elementary school teachers. I still remember the books they gave me. They planted that seed.

Thanks guys!
We actually went to the library yesterday and I helped her pick out two books (one was called My Mom's Weird - or something like that lol). She is still going for the teeny-bopper books but at least she's reading. When it's just her and I at home we can sit and read for hours with no interruptions...it's fantastic.
If you all can think of any books that are modern fantasy for someone who likes girly books let me know! I would love for her to read the same kind of books I do but without all the sex! I'm may be underestimating her but I wonder if some of the YA books might have too many "big words"...I don't know.

Elvia, have you checked out Need by Carrie Jones or The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause? Need has only some slight non-explicit kissing and The Silver Kiss has none, if I remember correctly. The language in both is pretty simple and ideal, I think, for tweens. They're also short.

If she likes books about witches...

Circle of Three series by Isobel Bird was fairly good. Perfect for pre-teens or girls in their early teens.

Thanks ladies!
I went to the library website and requested all the books you mentioned. If she likes the Circle of Three book I'll get the rest of them for her. She's a fast reader (like her mama) so hopefully she likes them and I can get her the next three or so!!

Elvia wrote: "Thanks ladies!
I went to the library website and requested all the books you mentioned. If she likes the Circle of Three book I'll get the rest of them for her. She's a fast reader (like her m..."

She'd probably like that series... :) Let me know if she likes them!

I will!! Thanks again!

My daughter is 11 1/2 and I have the same problem (see earlier post). She recommended these books to your daughter:

My Sister the Vampire #1 Switched
My Sister the Vampire #2 Fangtastic!
My Sister the Vampire #3 Re-Vamped!
My Sister the Vampire #4 Vampalicious!

She's also plowed through all the "Candy Apple" Books like:

Miss Popularity
Babysitting Wars
Drama Queen

(there are almost 20 in this series by various authors)

Reading this discussion brought me back memories of my teenage years. I was sooo much into reading racy books, that I did go for adult novels.. I remember at one time I was all over Danielle Steel, Sidney Sheldon and the Mills & Boons books. I even had a few hidden in my room cupboard, to keep my folks from seeing them. Lolz! Funnily, I have now taken them off those cupboards and put them in the bookshelf, as I have grown out of my teens now :-)

I don't remember coming across any restrictions as they were all adult novels. But I never even knew restrictions existed in books. I don't know what I would have done if someone had stopped me from getting one of those books, saying it wasn't for me. Lolz.

But then, thanks to all that premature reading of racy novels, I don't much care for racy novels anymore, or any of those graphic sex scenes in books. (More like Been there, done that! case). Books where strangers hop into bed, and thus start a "unique" love story are just so not my taste any more, though at one time, they used to sound so daring and exciting to me.

It's conflicting though, looking at it now, being in my 20s. At one point, reading them has cured me of my teenage obsession with those kinda books. But then again, you can get so swept by that world that it may not really be a healthy influence. In the end, it probably depends on the person. If you can read such a book without overly pining for that kind of life and being unhealthily addicted to it, I guess it's ok to read them. After all, the more you try to keep a book out of reach, the more you yearn to read it.

Melissa wrote: "My daughter is 11 1/2 and I have the same problem (see earlier post). She recommended these books to your daughter:

My Sister the Vampire #1 Switched
[book:My Sister the Vampir..."

Thanks for the recommendations!! I will request those from the library as well!!