I wanted to create a young adult literature list that has books that don't have sex scenes, violence, and very little if any swearing. I know a lot of parents that would like their kids to read but have a hard time finding a book that shares their values. However, I don't think that should necessarily mean only Christian fiction. There are a lot of books out there that would be great on this list. Please make sure they meet the qualifications above before adding!
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Simeon
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Aug 24, 2010 04:38PM
What about kids without values? Priceless kids need books too.
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Presumably kids without values could read these as well - unless children with no values can't read. And I also assume that kids with values (whatever values may or may not be in question here) could probably manage to read books not on this list.
May I just say.
I agree with the three commmenters before me.And I will add that just because someone has values doesn't mean they have the same values as you.
This list would at least be useful for recommending books to the parents in small communities that get angry when their kids come in alone and pick up a book that they later object to the content. "Well, your child chose that book with all that 'objectionable' content on his own, but next time you can help him choose from this list."
I don't think there's all that much value in books that don't reflect life and its difficulties to some degree. "Age-appropriate" is probably a better term for what you're discussing here, and even then, there's some pretty horrific child abuse going on all through Holes. It's also brilliant, deeply ethical, and highlights some major issues. So the importance of a book isn't exactly always proportionate to how "sanitary" it is.
True, the Outsiders has violence, but the values it champions are important to society. I teach it to my 9th graders - that's the age kids should be to read it in my opinion.
The God Delusion? Seriously? Come on, that's not a novel for kids, and Dawkins is SOOOOO biased. Besides, the summary at the top makes it sound like this list should be Christian. Why is The God Delusion on here?
Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye"?! This is a pornographic book and some parts of it are written from the point of view of a child molester. It's definitely NOT for kids, with values or otherwise.
Liam wrote: "The God Delusion? Seriously? Come on, that's not a novel for kids, and Dawkins is SOOOOO biased. Besides, the summary at the top makes it sound like this list should be Christian. Why is The God De..."I agree. Dawkins is a ridiculous choice for this list.
I agree that The God Delusion doesn't fit here at all, and I agree also about The Bluest Eye - disturbing and graphic subject matter that a YA should not be exposed to. And I don't think The Great Gatsby is full of positive lessons either. Where are the books by Mildred Taylor, like Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry?? (Adding it!)But the trouble with this list is that "values" are subjective. What one person considers inappropriate or offensive may not bother someone else. I would not put a book entitled Boy Meets Boy on a list of books that teaches values, but that's my personal view.
Beware: Sarah J. Maas books, A Court of Thorns and Roses,
A Court of Mist and fury,
A Court of Frost and Starlight,
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Empire of Storms
feature adult-aged characters and Explicit NC-17 content: Nudity, Drugs consumption, Rape, Physical Abuse, Abusive relationships.
They're also shelved as New adult, Adult and Erotica, but as they're marketed as YA, many people make the wrong assumption that they're Young adult.
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