And just a little touch of going mad

I've got two things to talk about today; Maureen Johnson and Lewis Hine.

I'll start with Maureen Johnson because I think I have more to say in that regard. Coincidentally in my last post I mentioned BEDA (Blog Everyday in April) which I think Maureen may have made up, or at least did, funnily enough, last April. So Maureen Johnson, who is a young adult novelist (I have no idea why I'm explaining all this, it sounds so formal), has been having a bit of a problem lately, the most recent addition to the problem is explained here . But basically some mother didn't want her daughter reading Maureen's 'The Bermudez Triangle' and a Gossip Girl book. I don't really know if she initially wanted the books banned but that article says that she wants a label put on books with (what she believes is) inappropriate content.

Now, this is silly for a whole bunch of reasons. One, the fact that the book's were in the YOUNG ADULT section (people!!!) is a kind of labeling system, it means that the books are meant for slightly older readers. I've gone into book stores and rearranged books that I believe are in the wrong section for this reason (I don't make a habit of this). I also alphabetise book stores too (what can I say I'm a freak). I think it highlights the ignorance of people 1) to not realise there are junior books and then there are young adult books (I disagree with it but I see the reason) and 2) to not realise that young adult books sometimes have content that some may view was inappropriate. We've all seen John Green's rant and I think it says it all.

Also, I think people need to be a little more informed about the books their kids are reading. I continuously want to recommend books to my little group of OSH kids but don't because of content issues. If they were in high school go for it but their ages are a concern. But, one of them was reading Harry Potter and the other was reading 'Tomorrow when the war began'.These books deal with big issues. I myself, read Brian Jacques books at primary school, was actually encouraged to when the librarian found out I liked them. And, yes, they're about animals but you wouldn't call them cute and cuddly. What I'm trying to say is that you're seriously misleading yourself if you think all children's books are Pollyanna incarnate.

I just think it's so lazy to try and get other people to censor books for you. If you are so concerned with the content of the books your children are reading, there are these really handy people called, librarians or there's this really nifty thing called, the Internet. Both, I have learnt, are an endless source of information. Or, you know, you could ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK. unlike a certain Harry Potter book banner we all know and love. Ok, now I'm just getting rude. so I digress.

This issue is silly because young adult books are young adult books for a reason. And I think reading them is not such a bad thing. I actually, would highly recommend it.

Oh, I've run out of steam now... anyway I think Lewis Hine is amazing, but I guess I'll talk about him another time.

Until next time,
Katherine

P.S. I'm not sure if any of this made any sense, I was a little overzealous about it.