Clean Reads for YA - my view as mother & author

[[deleted user]]

Here's my latest guest post on the need for clean reads for young adults.

http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com/2...

[Beth A.]

Hi Shawn,

I enjoyed the article. I really agree with you that we need more YA books that portray "good, wholesome, balanced relationships."

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, Beth. I've gotten into some heated discussions on this topic. And I'm sure more to come. But I'll keep writing clean. :)

[Teryn]

Great article Shawn!! There are many of us out there!

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, Teryn.

[Englishrose]

I love the article! I do a blog of reviews of clean romance novels. I only have a few young adult books so far, but all of mine are clean (no sex and little or no language). I think it's great that you write clean books for your daughter.

http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com

[[deleted user]]

Thanks. Yes, I have visited your blog a few times and seen your name mentioned as a resource. Keep offering your services to parents and kids who want to know! :)

[Rachel]

Shawn wrote: "Here's my latest guest post on the need for clean reads for young adults.

http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com/2..."

I appreciate your dedication and the dedication of so many like you to contribute to wholesome literature. I have been helping my children substitute clean reading for assigned school curriculum since they were in elementary school and have found (after an unfortunate battle of words with my now 20 year old son's 5th grade teacher) that the "mother hen" heated approach is never the most successful because it puts all parties on the defensive. But with guidance and encouragement from my husband to realize that most people are just trying to do the best they know how, I have been able to navigate those waters calmly with all 6 of my children for the last 10 years, with very minor bumps and bruises. I have had to write quite a few tests and book review questions to fill in the school curriculum gap and sometimes my young children have felt a bit self conscious for being excused from the classroom during reading time, but so long as I have kept a positive approach, every teacher has been accommodating, my children have felt relieved and a few times the reading material was changed for the entire class. Now payback for patience is that my high school children are pulling themselves out of class or arranging with their teachers to alter their curriculum successfully on their own. My first instinct has always been to come out "swinging" in protection of my children, but through trial and error and much experience I have found that gentle persuasion and acknowledgement of the good intentions of others has been my greatest ally. And for those who have the talent to take matters into their own hands and contribute healthy choices to the vast jungle of unhealthy ones I say bravo--keep up the good work!

[[deleted user]]

Thank you, Rachel. I well understand that battle - and I only have 1 child! So kudos to you for persevering with 6. :)

It is gratifying to watch as our kids get older to see what we diligently tried to teach final takes hold. Growth happens in stages, but seeing it warms a parent's heart. Keep going. :)