What are you reading now? Showing 9,351-9,400 of 14,521

[Cassi aka Snow White]

You see even though there are 13 year olds reading YA they aren't technically the target of the genre. They're reading above their level which is GREAT but it's up to MG writers to consider them.

YA target audience is 15-20ish. Would I let a 15 year old boy read . Let me say HECK YEAH. Because yes he masturbates & cusses, but really I'm assuming most 15 year old boys do. The value of that book outweighs the concerns in my mind.

I have not read some of the books criticized. But in high school I read a lot of "issue books" I believe Speak was one of them. Through books I met the first gay characters I ever knew (I'm sure there were people in my small town but its not something that was discussed), read about people who struggle with rape and drugs.

The article implies that there is not a place for these books and these discussions. High School kids need to read books like this. It's a parents urge to protect their children but you cannot shield them from the reality around them. I work with some excellent teen girls, some of them from poorer backgrounds. We were having a sleepover and a girl was crying over a picture someone sent her as a "joke". I don't know what it was. Someone was calling another of my girls from jail.

This is reality and it's scary. Books give us ways to teach without preaching and lend themselves to discussion whereas kids may not be willing to talk about their own lives.

I think there's a place for fluffier books that don't deal with real life. Many people have heard me rave about & , both on the fun & frothy side. But I think there's a place for books like and and all the other more serious books out there.

[Gwennie]

That is a really great line. And it sums it up pretty wonderfully.

Mandi, as a mother I agree with you to a certain extent. I absolutely plan to shelter my child where I can and be aware of everything that she reads. I just don't believe that I'm limited in the YA genre. I can walk her over to the YA section and find something for her to read. No, I wouldn't be putting Thirteen Reasons Why into her hands. But the YA section also has The Angel Experiment and Percy Jackson. I also don't see anything wrong with letting her read Everlost at 13. There are lots of different styles and levels in that YA umbrella, and he seems to bring a whole type of reading down to it's lowest common denominator.

[Daria]

I agree with Wendy F. While most YA is for older teens there's a younger end of YA as well.

[Wendy Darling]

Yes. There's a difference between steering kids in certain directions that you favor and in saying that there's little contemporary YA available that's worthwhile. Anyone who thinks that has not done her research.

[Gwennie]

I have to say that I agree with Cassi too. I was arguing with my friend when she found out that The Perks of Being a Wallflower was shelved in the YA genre. She was saying that she would never allow her young teen to read such a controversial book. I tried explaining to her that its not like when we were kids and there was just one YA section. Now YA is considered 15ish and up. They have a completely separate section for 15 and less which still has some really great books but not as much of the in your face realism. As I mentioned before, this is where you'd find The Spiderwick Chronicles or Lemony Snickets, actually this is where Harry Potter is too.

I also mentioned before that by the time my cousin graduated high school 4 school friends had already died for tragic reasons. It didn't do her any good to pretend that suicide, cutting or gangs was not part of her reality.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I went to a small school and by the time I graduated I think 7 girls in my class were pregnant/moms, 3 people had died in car crashes, another girl I knew barely survived a motorcycle crash and there's probably more that I don't know about because I was one of the goody-two-shoes.

When I was in college my 15 year old cousin committed suicide. When I worked at camp I heard many kids talk about medication/depression.

Do I wish this wasn't our reality: yes, everyday
Do I think ignoring it will make it go away: no

[Wendy Darling]

I think having older/younger tiers for YA fiction in bookstores and libraries is a great idea. A lot of publishers are already designating 12 - 15, etc on their book jackets.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I want to add that the hyperbole of not being able to find a book for a 13 year old girl in that article really bothered me.

, everything by Tamora Pierce, everything by Madeline Lengle, ,

And that's without even getting off my couch or looking at my goodreads shelf. Her little anecdote was an absolute lie.

[Katy]

Cassi (is secretly listening to Heidi SHHH) wrote: "I want to add that the hyperbole of not being able to find a book for a 13 year old girl in that article really bothered me.

[bookcover:Front Page Face-Off|67..."

Cassi - I couldn't agree more! Standing in a bookstore judging books based on covers is a great way to also judge content. Sarcasm. When working in a bookstore I was continually biting my tongue when parents were asking me what their kids should read, "It has to be safe, it needs to be clean, what do you recommend." I would recommend you, as a parent, read these books before your kids so you know what the content is and if you are comfortable with it. Which of course I would never say, but if a parents knows if what their child wants to read is what they want them reading than read it first.

[Victoria]

Getting back on topic....LOL

I'm reading and an ARC of .

[Shelia]

Wendy Darling wrote: "I think having older/younger tiers for YA fiction in bookstores and libraries is a great idea. A lot of publishers are already designating 12 - 15, etc on their book jackets."

They've actually been doing that for years now! That journalist did not do their research.

[Wendy Darling]

Oh, see? It's been a few years since I looked in a regular bookstore for YA. I'm glad that's happening. The libraries near me still have everything together, though of course they have their own issues of being under-staffed, cut budgets, etc.

[Kayla]

Just finished and going to be starting soon. :)

XVI was good. I actually did really like it, even though it's one of those love/hate books.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Got back into and it had me laughing out loud for real.

[Katy]

[Mette]

Hi everyone:-)

Right now I'm reading the last 100 pages in The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, it's a very interesting book.



Have a wonderful day.

Mysteriousbooks

[Wendy Darling]

Just started it, and it's super fun so far. :) I have Stolen on the way from the library too, Stacia!

[Julie]

Cassi (is secretly listening to Heidi SHHH) wrote: "Got back into and it had me laughing out loud for real."

I'm going to pick that up at the library later this week...I'm really excited for it!

[The Reading Devil]

Nightshade
its really good so far :p

[Jill]

When I read Hex Hall I started to think Team Cal but I just finished Demonglass and I am now a card-carrying member of Team Cal.

[Cheryl]

Mette wrote: "Hi everyone:-)

Right now I'm reading the last 100 pages in The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, it's a very interesting book.



Hav..."

I've only just started this book but the premise does sound very interesting.

[Jesse]

I'm reading the read tent and its really an interesting book

[Jesse]

looks like someone is a readaholic good work, hope to catch up on you

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Jill wrote: "When I read Hex Hall I started to think Team Cal but I just finished Demonglass and I am now a card-carrying member of Team Cal."

Good! Becuase it is well established in this group that Archer Cross is mine. *looks at all other potential claimants*

[Jennifer]

Reading and battling a large kidney stone. Anyone know of some good home remedies?

[Melissa]

Hi Everyone..I'm new to this group!! From NY and love to read Young Adult Fiction...I'm currently reading and it's awesome so far!

[Melissa]

Jennifer wrote: "Reading and battling a large kidney stone. Anyone know of some good home remedies?"

awwww no I'm so sorry....but I LOVED Divergent...hope you are enjoying it!

[Jennifer]

I just want to thank everyone for suggesting some great books to me! I just finished Hex Hall 1 and 2. and Finnikin of the Rock. Now what do I move on to next.. I cant believe I have to wait 9 months to read the next Hex Hall!

[Jennifer]

Melissa,

I am enjoying it so far. It helps to have something else to focus on other than pain ;)

[Melissa]

Victoria wrote: "Getting back on topic....LOL

I'm reading and an ARC of ."

AAAAH! I want to read soooo bad!

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Jennifer wrote: "I just want to thank everyone for suggesting some great books to me! I just finished Hex Hall 1 and 2. and Finnikin of the Rock. Now what do I move on to next.. I cant believe I have to wait 9 mont..."

Hooray!!

[Melissa]

Jennifer wrote: "Melissa,

I am enjoying it so far. It helps to have something else to focus on other than pain ;)"

Oh no honey...are you okay??

[Jennifer]

Melissa,

Sure. No pain today but yesterday was awful. Just want to pass this thing. I have given birth and I tell you, this is almost more painful. I'll live :)

[Tish]

Jennifer wrote: "Melissa,

Sure. No pain today but yesterday was awful. Just want to pass this thing. I have given birth and I tell you, this is almost more painful. I'll live :)"

Sorry to hear about the kidney stone. I've always heard they are more painful than childbirth. Unfortunately, I don't know any remedies. Hope it passes quickly.

[Kristina]

I'm reading

[Wendy Darling]

Oh, I love that article, Catie. Such a great and balanced rebuttal. The LA Times Children's Books Editor did one, too:
http://bit.ly/jgDPJL

I am trying to figure out what to read after I finish Always a Witch, which should be later tonight. I think all the reviews I've seen for Magic Slays have been 5 stars, Catie!

[Amanda]

Jennifer wrote: "Reading and battling a large kidney stone. Anyone know of some good home remedies?"

Cranberry juice, cranberry juice and more cranberry juice. I have a bad kidney and my doc says to flush it out by drinking cranberry juice. It seems to help, I havent had a kidney stone in 5 years. It's worth a try...
(fyi: I went to a natural foods store and bought the strong stuff, it's like $10 for a 12 oz bottle, but I have a small glass a few time a week and haven't had any kidney issues. I think the brand I get is Knudsens/Kudsens. I think Cub Foods carries it in their organic section.) I also read some where that yogurt helps, so I try to eat a small container of it often.
I hope it passes soon, I know what it feels like and it royally sucks!

[Amanda]

Catie wrote: "Oh, and I am reading "

Magic Slay's was so good. I wasn't diggin the first half, but the rest of the book was awesome. Good luck keeping up with all the new characters, they have some awful names to keep track of!

[Gwennie]

I loved both articles. Great responses.

[Amanda]

Wendy F wrote: "That is a really great line. And it sums it up pretty wonderfully.

Mandi, as a mother I agree with you to a certain extent. I absolutely plan to shelter my child where I can and be aware of ..."

Firstly, a dumb question for Cassi: What exactly are MG authors?

Secondly, Wendy, I think you make good points. Percy Jackson and Maximum Ride are both books that my son has read...but they are found in the JF section of our library. Guess I didn't realize that they were considered YA. Something I do for him, when there is something in a great or fun book that I particularly don't want him to read is, okay don't freak out, I white it out. I don't want him reading a lot of profanity or make out scenes, so in books like Beastly and Hex Hall, I simply removed them. He loved the books and my mind was at ease about what he was reading.

[Jessica]

Mandi wrote: "Wendy F wrote: "That is a really great line. And it sums it up pretty wonderfully.

Mandi, as a mother I agree with you to a certain extent. I absolutely plan to shelter my child where I can an..."

Hey Mandi, not Cassie but MG stands for middle grade. I would probably call Percy Jackson middle grade not YA, though it has crossed over to older readers because of its success. I don't know anything about Maximum Ride so I can't say there.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Harry Potter started as Middle grade as well. I enjoy a lot of the MG borderline YA books.

[Veregeia]

Just started reading the first book of Blue Blood series. :)

[Naomi]

now reading

[Jennifer]

Just wondering if anyone has read and the rest of the Pellinor series.. I found these to be a great set of fantasy books.. I quickly became hooked to them..

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I haven't read it but it's on my tbr pile!

[Jennifer]

Amanda,
Thanks for the cranberry juice advice. I am drinking a lot of it now.

Jennifer,
I loved the Pellinor series.

[Arphaxad]

I've read (most of) the Pellinor series, but I'm among the few that didn't get on so well with it. The first book seemed promising, but after that I got increasingly bored with each book, so I gave up after the third.

[Ashley]

I'm reading