Sex, Language & Violence in YA

Exploration of a Potential Rating System


Sometimes when I’m reading a YA book, I think: “Is this really appropriate for 13 year olds?” Most of the novels I read are appropriate for the older teen crowd, but sometimes I wonder about those just-out-of-middle-school kids who pick up the same book, and how they will respond to its content.   

It’s important to be true to the teenage experience. In today’s society, this experience can mean a variety of cuss words, sexual experiences and underage drinking.  Teens can make bad, controversial and even dangerous decisions because well, they’re teens. They are testing out the world, and the people they want to be.

Authors should be true to the teenage experience. But, some readers may not be ready to read all those experiences. So, how should parents and teens know what’s appropriate for them to read? Well, there’s been talk of a rating system, which would not be dissimilar to the MPAA (movie) ratings system. 

Although I believe that the idea of a rating system has good intentions in terms of informing parents what is appropriate for their teenage children, I fear the effects for the actual teens. A ratings system can be stark and inflexible. Instead of reviewing the book description to see if the book has potential educational purposes or a positive message, parents and teens might rely on the ratings system, and automatically discount anything that doesn’t meet their standards. I believe that reading the description, spoiler-free reviews and even skimming the first chapter are important qualifiers for if a book goes home with me.

Also, what would the perimeters of this rating system be? Is sex more offensive than language? Would the rating jump with each base (first, second, all the way) the character travels? And not all drug/alcohol references are the same (think marijuana vs. heroin or beer vs. absinthe). Can you rate violence in the written word? The MPAA Ratings board has been in place for decades, and has seen its share of controversy. It would take years to establish a similar system for use in the publishing industry, and it would be considerably more difficult.

I prefer to leave the selection of YA books to the teens that read them. However I understand that some parents like to have a hand in the selection. If a parent needs to provide approval to their young teen (or the occasional older teen) then I would advocate a parent touching the book, reading the book description or even reading the whole thing before their teen. No time or interest? Then at least check out Common Sense Media, a website that gives ratings but also descriptions, reasons and rating categories to help parents and teen select age-appropriate books.

In the end, I defer to personal experience. I read Judy Blume, Harry Potter, books with language and the occasional sex scene during my adolescent years. And I turned out just fine, if I do say so myself.

Revisiting Adolescence

A study of adult fiction authors that write YA

In honor of J.K. Rowling, arguably one of the best children’s authors of the past century, publishing an adult fiction book this past week, I’m examining the adult fiction authors that have ventured into the ever-growing YA genre.

One can’t speak of authors that have spidered their way from adult fiction to YA without first mentioning the feats of James Patterson. His series Maximum Ride and Witch & Wizard are mainstays of the bestseller list. Patterson’s son, Jack, did not have the inclination to read as a child. So Patterson was inspired to write Maximum Ride to encourage his own child to be passionate about reading. Now, with his website http://readkiddoread.com, Patterson “is on a mission to turn kids all across the nation into passionate literate and inspired readers.” Patterson recently finished the Maximum Ride series with the publication of Nevermore in August.

With one of the highest selling authors venturing into the YA market, this was bound to become a growing trend. Cory Doctorow, author of YA novels Little Brother, For the Win and the newly published Pirate Cinema, started in adult fiction. However, it appears as though he has now fully jumped ship to YA with Homeland, the sequel to Little Brother due in 2013. In a excerpt that appeared on TOR.com, Doctorow says, “Writing for young people is really exciting…  We all read for entertainment, no matter how old we are, but kids also read to find out how the world works.” For Doctorow, the transition to YA has meant a new way to write his characters. He realized that “young people live in a world characterized by intense drama, by choices wise and foolish and always brave.” Having his teen characters be drama-filled means that every event is monumental and the book is a natural page-turner. He says simply: “This is a book-plotter’s dream.”

Richelle Mead was well on her way through two series for adults when she began Vampire Academy, a YA series. In an interview with Book Wholesalers Inc, Mead admits her writing style isn’t too different between adult and YA books. Although she does recognize that “teen characters are so passionate with their emotions that it’s nice to let down all the barriers and just write." Mead’s third book in her Bloodlines series, another YA series, is due in February.

Mystery author Harlan Coben was inspired to dive into YA fiction by his four children. Myron Bolitar, the star of Coben’s adult fiction novel, Live Wire, has a 15 year old nephew, Mickey, with his own stories. Coben wanted to tell Mickey’s story and also write something for his children. His YA debut novel, Shelter, overlaps with the adult novel as a companion for the younger crowd. Coben is not the only author who has written a YA book which companions to an adult series. Kathy Reichs, with the help of her son Brendan, also falls into this category. Her Bones series stars forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, and their Virals YA series stars niece Tory Brennan. Because of the number of teens and children that read the adult books and watch the TV show spinoff, Reichs and her son came up with the idea to venture into YA fiction. Since Virals, Seizure and the third book Code (due in 2013) have themes of science, it not only encourages teens to read and write, but to expand their knowledge of the sciences.

Other notable adult authors who have published adult fiction include Sherrilyn Kenyon, with her Chronicles of Nick series (also a spin-off from the adult series). Richard Paul Evans, Christian fiction author has recently published Rise of the Elgen, the second book in his Michael Vey series. Gena Showalter, a popular romance author, has ventured into teen with the Intertwined series and her recent release, Alice in Zombieland. Also, look for Jasper Fforde’s debut YA novel, The Last Dragonslayer, first published in the UK in 2010, which will be released in the US on October 2^nd.

References:

Doctorow, Cory. “Context (excerpt),” TOR.com (2011). http://www.tor.com/stories/2011/10/context-excerpt?start=2

“Interview: Richelle Mead” Book Wholesalers, Inc (blog.) http://bwibooks.com/articles/richelle-mead.php

“James's Top Ten: Surefire Ways to Get Your Kids Reading,” http://readkiddoread.com/uploads/toptentips.php

Jerome, Richard. “James Patterson & Son Jack: Getting my Kid to Read,” People (2008). http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20238301,00.html

New Day Producers. “Bestselling Author Kathy Reichs' new novel + incredible life,” King5.com (2012). http://www.king5.com/new-day-northwest/Bestelling-Author-Kathy-Reichs-new-novel--incredible-life-169369316.html

Rohrbach, Erika. “Harlan Coben’s New Teen Hero,” Kirkus Reviews (2011). http://www.kirkusreviews.com/blog/young-adult/harlan-cobens-new-teen-hero/#continue_reading_post

Lessons from Libba

So, Libba Bray is funny. Hilarious, in fact. She visited Cincinnati the day after The Diviners released, and I traveled to Joseph-Beth Booksellers where she held a discussion and signing. Instead of reading from The Diviners, she read a *unique* selection from her juvenilia. As a ten year old, Libba Bray wasn’t destined to be a writer, as she proclaimed after reading this four page story in an entertaining fashion. She meant it as a point of inspiration, and that’s how I took it. Not every writer is destined with a Potteresque the-wand-chooses-the-wizard type moment the instant they pick up a pencil at age 4 or 5 or 10. Lucky for us, a writer is what Libba Bray is now. And with any luck (and tons of hard work) maybe I’ll be there someday too. Through the discussion, I noted some of Libba’s lessons that are handy for a budding author such as myself.  

 

 

World-building comes first

To build your story world, you have to research. Whether it be little things like: “When did that happen again?”, or big things like: “How did such-and-such event affect the population and inspire change?” It’s been four years since the conception of The Diviners, and in that time, Libba did a lot of research to make sure that her characters talk, think and act like they are from the 1920s. In the journey of this historical fiction novel, Libba also had assistance. As she stated, “when the going gets tough, the tough get a librarian.” Her librarian assisted with the research to ensure that Libba’s story world was true to the decade. It’s important to set up the world through research, to have your facts right and to know the slang and the formative events (I.E. Stock Market Crash, Kennedy assassination, 9/11) that would shape the world in which these characters lived. Then, as you write, rewrite and research some more, your story will become ever clearer.

Write what you don’t know

We’ve all heard the old adage: “write what you know.” But, as Libba heard Lois Lowry speak of recently, authors should also write what they don’t know. You should write about what you won’t say out loud and what troubles you as you lay awake at night. Write with questions and write to learn the answers. I believe the point here is to be an explorer in your writing. Because our day-to-day, coffee runs, cubicle jobs, humdrum traffic isn’t outstanding. But escape, that’s why we make the trip to the bookstore. So please, be a revolutionary and explore new, frightening, awe-inspiring territory.

 

Be a Narrative Tweaker

In the terms of historical fiction, sometimes history doesn’t assist in the story that you’re writing. There’s a fine line between historical fact (what actually happened) and the story that you’re trying to tell (what could have happened). It’s important to learn from the past, and be true to it. However, Libba suggests that in writing, an author can pull from an actual event (such as a court case) yet create something that they can control. Libba terms this “narrative tweaking,” essentially re-creating an historical event with a different name but with only small tweaks, as it should be made of the truth. In this way, you can use this fictional event to further your story and still be true to history.

 

Update 9/25: To be true to Libba Bray, I would like to mention that what I refer to as “narrative tweaking” is called “narrative tinkering” in the Author’s Note of the Diviners. The connation is slightly different, so I thought it was important to note.

 

Read everything… and write everyday

This point may seem obvious, but it’s always worth mentioning. And mentioning again. And drilling into your brain! Libba Bray is a self-proclaimed binge reader. Because reading is like food, and writers need it to sustain themselves. Read in your genre, but outside as well, to gain perspective and fresh ideas. Because “when you read, you become aware of what’s possible.”

Also, write every single day, even if it’s just a little.

 

Thank you, Libba Bray, for traveling to the Midwest and stopping in Cincinnati for the release of The Diviners. Thank you also for sharing your awesomely weird personality and your writing wisdom.  

 

DISCLAIMER: This post in an unofficial account of the event with Libba Bray on September 19, 2012 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, OH. The views that I present in this article are my interpretations of the event. They do not necessarily represent the opinions of Libba Bray, Little, Brown Books or any affiliates.

Most Anticipated Teen Books: Fall 2012

September 18

The Diviners- Libba Bray

What it’s about:

New York City welcomes Evie O’Neill, who is thrilled to have been relocated there from her boring hometown. The only downside is living with her Uncle Will, a museum curator, but she won’t let that get in the way of her having a good time. However, a string of occult-based murders might ruin her fun, especially when Evie’s mysterious, secret power could help catch the killer.

Why I’m excited:

Because the Diviners is historical fiction (taking place in New York City circa 1926), and that is where Libba Bray shines. Yes, she won a well-deserved Printz Award for Going Bovine. But I love the Gemma Doyle series because the story took place in turn of the century England and had an amazing fantastical twist. The Diviners is bound to be a hit!

Raven Boys- Maggie Stiefvater

What it’s about:

Blue Sargent has been told for as long as she can remember that she will cause the death of her true love. Her stance has always been that this is impractical nonsense. However that changes when she is drawn to Gansey, a good-looking, rich Aglionby, or Raven Boy. The Raven Boys can only mean trouble, and soon she’s caught up in their sinister world.

Why I’m excited:

Because this book has a fantasy element, but I can’t quite tell what it is yet. Stiefvater has conquered both faerie and werewolf realms in previous novels, so I’m excited to see where she falls on the fantasy radar this time around. Her most recent release was stand-alone novel The Scorpio Races, but Raven Boys is a projected four book series. I imagine this will be a strong start and leave her readers craving more!

October 2

Mark of Athena- Rick Riordan

What it’s about:

The third in the Heroes of Olympus series will see our heroes from Lost Hero, Jason, Piper and Leo meet up with the heroes from Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel and Frank. However, the prophecy calls for seven, so who will complete their team? And with the joining forces of Greek and Roman demigods comes the challenge of cooperation. Can they work together to fight Gaea’s giants and fulfill the mysterious prophecy?

Why I’m excited:

Because I can’t wait for Jason and Percy to meet. They are both alpha dogs and natural leaders, so there is bound to be a clash between these Greek and Roman demigods. Riordan is a proven author, and I’m sure this will be another action-packed, adventure-filled hit with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger!

 

Son- Lois Lowry         

What it’s about:

In this sequel to the Newbery-awarding winning The Giver, a new hero emerges. Claire lost her son at the young age of 14. It was stolen from her body, and she doesn’t know what became of him. But she will stop at nothing to find out. Jonas from The Giver and Kira from Gathering Blue make appearances to complete this quartet.

Why I’m excited:

Because I just found out about this last week! And The Giver has been one of my favorite books for years. I’m thrilled that there is a sequel, and that Jonas will be making an appearance. It seems as though we will have a look at the world outside the Community, and a chance to tear down its walls with Claire, Kira and Jonas. This will undoubtedly be another award-winner from Lois Lowry!

 

October 9

Opposite of Hallelujah- Anna Jarzab

What it’s about:

Caro Mitchell’s meek yet mysterious sister Hannah is returning home after an eight year absence. Caro barely remembers her, and has considered herself an only child until this stranger returns to her family. Hannah returns with secrets, and Caro resorts to lying about her reappearance. These lies alienate her parents, friends and new boyfriend and her emotional upheaval begins. When Caro discovers a clue from Hannah’s past, one that could save her, Caro begins to see her sister in a new light.

Why I’m excited:

Because Anna Jarzab’s first book, All Unquiet Things is one of the best teen books I’ve read, ever. It was intelligent and well-written and I’m expecting the same from Jarzab’s second book. The premise of the Opposite of Hallelujah is intriguing, and I love how Jarzab takes real life and turns it into a thrilling tale. This will certainly have a place on my bookshelf!

 

November 13

Reached- Ally Condie

What it’s about:

In the conclusion of Crossed, Cassia and Ky found each other only to be separated by the Rising. Cassia works from inside Society, and Ky is stationed outside its borders. In an ever-shifting finale, Cassia faces unpredictability, seeks a seemingly impossible sense of freedom, and fights to honor her one true love.

Why I’m excited:

Because this is the conclusion to Cassia’s story. It’s been a thrilling twist of a ride, and I hope that Cassia and Ky can make it work in freedom, not to mention get there in the first place. Reached has been long-anticipated, and I’m eager to see Cassia inside the Society as a Rising agent. She’s now officially part of the resistance, and I hope there is some teeth-clenching adventure in it for her.

 

November 20

Struck by Lightning- Chris Colfer

What it’s about:

Carson Phillips is an outcast. And he’s a high school senior with a big dream: to become the editor of The New Yorker. First he has to get into Northwestern. And he’s attempting to do that by blackmailing the popular students at his school into contributing to his literary journal in hopes of bolstering his college application. Scratch below the surface of high school, and find the dark yet hilarious dirt that lies just beneath.

Why I’m excited:

Because Chris Colfer became a NYT best-selling author with the release of his children’s book, Land of Stories, this summer. This teen book is bound to be a bestseller as well, as it’s based on a screenplay (also written by Colfer) to a movie that will be released soon! It appears Colfer is a quadruple threat (sing, dance, act, WRITE!) and I’m anxious to read his contribution to the teen genre.

Lessons from the Storyman

Earlier this week, award-winning author Neal Shusterman visited the local Barnes & Noble for a reading, discussion and signing. Shusterman explained the story of Unwind and read three excerpts from his newest release, Unwholly, which I highly recommend. Throughout the discussion, I noted some important lessons for an aspiring author such as myself.

 

 

Be a Genre Breaker

Unwind and its sequel Unwholly can easily be classified as dystopian. When Shusterman was questioned about the genre and his opinion, he was visibly unfavorable. Not that he disapproves of the dystopian genre, but that he sees his books outside of a genre classification, and even outside of an age classification. Dystopian is currently a popular genre, but when it’s no longer on the forefront of public consciousness, the books within that genre might go by the wayside. Shusterman’s books are meant for not only those that enjoy dystopia but also those that enjoy adventure, science fiction, thrillers, teen and adult fiction. In essence, it’s a genre breaker. It’s not meant for just one classification, or just one set of people. So when writing, one shouldn’t strain to write within one genre, because sometimes the best books can’t be labeled.

Let the Character Lead

When Shusterman writes, he asks questions of his characters to discover their emotional paths. After formulating emotional arches for each character, then he begins putting words to paper. However, when writing, sometimes the character will react differently or more truthfully than they did in the original outline. If something no longer makes sense, if the character’s reaction is no longer genuine, then it’s time to adapt. Holding to the original outline can diminish your writing, as good ideas can fall to the page before the author realizes what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to adapt, and to let your characters lead.

Not taking sides can further your story

The concept of Unwind is based in the controversial issue of abortion. Years before the book takes place, the Second Civil War was fought between the pro-choice and pro-life camps. To end the war, a law was enacted which abolished abortion, but allowed parents to “unwind” children between 13 and 18 years of age. Since unwinding re-used nearly 100% of the body’s parts, it was not considered murder and therefore was legal. In Unwind, Shusterman does not take a stance on abortion, but merely tells a story of what happens in this futuristic fiction world. In not taking sides, he broadens the appeal and the reception of the book, and does not alienate readers. He shows the effects of such a law but does so through his characters stories. The author’s opinion is blissfully unknown, which makes the message—one concerning the fictional act of “unwinding” more so than abortion—resonate with readers.   

If you want to kill all your characters, it might be time to take a break

“And then everyone jumps off a cliff and falls to their death.” If you ever have the desire to write that on the next page of your story, then it’s likely that you are a little worn. And it’s probably time for you to take a break. When asked about his writing habits, Shusterman said that he can go back and forth to and from different projects, depending on what needs to be done and when he needs a break. Returning to a project a day, or week or even months later will bring a new perspective and renewed energy. So don’t be weary of setting a piece aside and return to it when the inspiration is flowing, or at least when you’re ready to make some (less homicidal) words appear on the screen again.

 

Thank you, Mr. Shusterman for visiting Indiana for the release of your outstanding sequel, Unwholly. Can’t wait for the third and final book in this trilogy!

 

 

DISCLAIMER: This post in an unofficial account of the event with Neal Shusterman on August 29, 2012 at the Barnes & Noble in Greenwood, IN. The views that I present in this article are my interpretations of the event. They do not necessarily represent the opinions of Neal Shusterman, Simon and Schuster or any affiliates.

The Rise of Dystopia

-or- if you like the Hunger Games

As we approach the fourth anniversary of the Hunger Games publication, the rise in popularity of the dystopian genre has never been more evident. The teen section has been overcome with dystopian-themed novels, such as Veronica Roth’s Divergent and Ally Condie’s Matched. These novels and more have been gobbled up by teens—once they set down the Hunger Games, they are ready for another dystopian teen novel. According to the Telegraph the week before the Hunger Games movie release, “with the arrival of the film of the first book of Suzanne Collins’s best-selling trilogy the Hunger Games this month, dystopia for teenagers has hit an all-time high in public consciousness.” Publishers have been meeting these demands with the release of dozens of well-publicized dystopian teen novels over the past four years since the Hunger Games rocketed into popular culture.

                The authors that are following Collins in publication may not have been influenced in their writing of a dystopian novel. However, with the success of the Hunger Games, agents, editors and publishers have been more open to dystopian fiction as it is “the hottest genre in publishing and film on both sides of the Atlantic”. So it’s likely that the new teen dystopian releases were influenced by Collins’ Hunger Games in their publishing.  

 

History of Dystopia

The first novels that can be classified as dystopian were published over a century ago, but the genre has only enjoyed its rise in popularity since the release of the Hunger Games in 2008. This modern classic was preceded in the genre by such literary greats as Brave New World (1934), 1984 (1949) and Fahrenheit 451 (1953).

More recently, children’s authors have broadened the genre with such releases as the Newbury-award winning The Giver (1993) and Ender’s Game (1985), a science fiction yet dystopian classic takes the genre back to its original roots in science fiction.

In 2005, Scott Westerfeld published Uglies, the first of four in a dystopian teen series which became a turning point for the genre. Traditionally, dystopian novels were penned by men for men, but “Uglies was a strikingly new, dark tale which girls took to their hearts in droves.” Since that point, the teen dystopian genre has been driven by female characters and has seen an ever increasing number of female authors. 

Decade of Dystopia (2002-2012)

Here is a look back at the past decade of teen dystopian releases. It’s difficult to include every teen novel with a dystopian theme published in the past decade, but this collection includes those of note, influence and those believed to stand the test of time.

Feed: M.T. Anderson, 2002

House of the Scorpion: Nancy Farmer, September 2002 

How I Live Now: Meg Rosoff, August 2004

Uglies: Scott Westerfeld, February 2005

Sequels: Pretties, Specials, Extras

Life as We Knew It: Susan Beth Pfeffer, October 2006

Sequels: The Dead and Gone, This World We Live In

Unwind: Neal Shusterman, 2007

Sequel: Unwholly

The Declaration: Gemma Malley, October 2007

Sequels: The Resistance, The Legacy

Gone: Michael Grant, June 2008

Sequels: Hunger, Lies, Plague, Fear

The Knife of Never Letting Go: Patrick Ness, May 2008

Sequels: The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men

Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins, September 2008

Sequels: Catching Fire, Mockingjay

Forest of Hands and Teeth: Carrie Ryan, July 2009

Sequels: The Dead-Tossed Waves, The Dark and Hollow Places
 

Maze Runner: James Dashner, October 2009

Sequels: The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order

Incarceron: Catherine Fisher, January 2010 (UK May 2007)

Sequel: Sapphique

Worldshaker: Richard Harland, May 2010

Shipbreaker: Paolo Bacigalupi, May 2010 

Matched: Ally Condie,  November 2010

Sequels: Crossed, Reached

Wither: Lauren DeStefano, March 2011

Sequels: Fever, Sever

Divergent: Veronica Roth, May 2011

Sequel: Insurgent

Blood Red Road: Moira Young, June 2011

Sequel: Rebel Heart

Possession: Elana Johnson, June 2011

Sequel: Surrender

Across the Universe: Beth Revis, January 2011

Sequels: A Million Suns, Shades of Earth

Delirium: Lauren Oliver, January 2011

Sequel: Pandemonium

Enclave: Ann Aguirre, April 2011

Dark Parties: Sara Grant, August 2011

Eve: Anna Carey, October 2011

Sequel: Once

Legend: Marie Lu, November 2011

Sequel: Prodigy

Shatter Me: Tahereh Mafi, November 2011

Sequel: Unravel Me

Cinder: Marissa Meyer, January 2012

Sequel: Scarlet

Under the Never Sky: Veronica Rossi, January 2012

Sequel: Through the Ever Night

Partials: Dan Wells, February 2012

Sequel: Fragments

The Drowned Cities: Paolo Bacigalupi, May 2012 

Monument 14: Emmy Laybourne, June 2012

 
 

References:

“50+ Fantastic Young Adult Dystopian Novels” Bart’s Bookshelf (blog). http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2009/09/30/update-best-dystopian-ya-novels-redux/

Belanger, Ashley. “Defining Moments in Young Adult Dystopia: a Timeline.” Orlando Weekly (2012). http://orlandoweekly.com/arts/visual/defining-moments-in-young-adult-dystopia-a-timeline-1.1359164

Craig, Amanda. “The Hunger Games and the teenage craze for dystopian fiction.” The Telegraph (2012): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9143409/The-Hunger-Games-and-the-teenage-craze-for-dystopian-fiction.html

A Short Note about Leaving

Leaving always brings mixed emotions.

It’s like the end of a book. You’re happy (usually) with the ending, but you’re sad there’s no more excitement left to read. A sense of satisfaction hopefully prevails.

Except for me leaving is just the end of a chapter. That chapter was called Bloomington, and was 4 years of college and 3 years of work. It was a rollercoaster of personal events.

For a week and a half, I’ve been living in a new city that I’ve only ever visited. It’s been a change of scenery, and change of habits. It’s not an exotic city by any means, and it’s not even a change of state. But Indianapolis is the capitol, and a sprawling Midwestern metropolis. And I’m excited to be here.

Writing has taken a back seat as I’ve settled into my new home, explored my surroundings and started the same job at a new store. But I plan to dive back into writing my story and this blog again soon.

I’m happy with this change, and the hopefully new opportunities life here will bring. And I’ll see you again soon!