Books, Books and MORE Books - for TEENS!

The bottom portion of this note was originally written by Julie McKenzie last year (January 2010). I have been to the website she used last year and these books are still on the list.

There are also some on the list that seem fine, but how do you know unless you look at them?

My adopted 13-year-old wanted to read Judy Blume books. I had heard they were fine. Consequently, I went to Half Price Books with Barbara one day and she pulled out several Judy Blume books for her to look through. One of them was the title Forever, in paperback. Without a jacket cover to research what was in the book, I skimmed several pages. Unfortunately, I screamed aloud as an involuntary reaction (Barbara nearly died because people actually looked at us I was that loud) when I reached a page with such sexually explicit detail as to be perfect for a PORNOGRAPHY FILM!

I immediately informed the young girl working in the bookstore that it was NOT material for young teens and asked her to remove it. She shrugged affably, but seemingly uninterested. And then I showed her the page that caused my scream. At that point even this young, pierced, tatoo'd girl ALSO screamed and promised to immediately remove the book.

Here is Judy Blume's explanation for the book http://judyblume.com/books/ya/forever.php. PLEASE READ THIS. It gives a great example of the whole, "I grew up in the 60's and have thrown out every last American value inculcated in this country because Hellen Gurley Brown and NOW told me to." GROSS. Truly GROSS.

Below Julie's commentary are some screen shots she did last year from several high schools in the metro area. Also, she found this link to Books Challenged and Banned 2008-2009 http://www.ila.org/pub/banned.htm. Some of these are quite interesting...

Julie McKenzie report on Middle School Books from January, 2010:

I went to Norman High School Library webpage. Since we had already looked at the Sequoyah books for younger kids, I thought I would look at the books recommended by the Young Adult Library Services Assn. This is worse than what we saw before (in a middle school library in Deer Creek). Most all the books on the list deal with horrible family and life situations, the occult, sexuality, homosexuality, etc. - very depressing if you ask me. The following are are some of the worst ones I identified. I'm speechless and appalled!! No wonder our kids have problems.

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/09bb...

ALA

American Library Association ALA

Search - 2009 Best Books for Young Adults

Brothers, Meagan. Debbie Harry Sings in French. Henry Holt. 2008. 978-0-8050-8080-3 $16.95
After Johnny’s dad dies in a car accident and an unintentional drug overdose lands him in the hospital, he moves in with an uncle, gets a girlfriend, and starts to explore his interest in cross-dressing.

Fletcher, Christine. Ten Cents a Dance. Bloomsbury. 2008. 978-1-59990-164-0 $16.95
Ruby wants to support her family, but when her taxi dancing causes problems she could not have anticipated, it will take all of her strength to come out on top.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. HarperCollins. 2008. 978-0-06-053092-1 $17.99
This often chilling story describes the life of a boy growing up in a graveyard as he is looked after by ghosts and a mysterious guardian.

Geerling, Marjetta. Fancy White Trash. Penguin/Viking. 2008. 978-0-670-01082-0 $16.99
Abby Savage is determined not to be like her mother and sisters-each became pregnant as teens-but her only confidant is Cody who has his own sexual issues.

Harmon, Michael. The Last Exit to Normal. Alfred A.Knopf. 2008. 978-0-375-94098-9 $18.99
To get him on the right track, Ben Campbell's dad and stepdad accompany him to Montana, where he encounters small town life, homophobia, an abused boy, and a special girl.

Jenkins, A.M. Night Road. Bowen Press/HarperCollins.2008. 978-0-06-054604-5 $16.99
Eighteen-year-old Gordon, a heme or blood feeder, must learn the rules of his new life while on a road trip with Cole and Sandor.

Juby, Susan. Another Kind of Cowboy. HarperTeen/HarperCollins. 2007. 978-0-06-076518-7 $16.99
When horse-crazy Alex finally gets a chance to switch from western pleasure to dressage, he feels more in tune with both his riding and his overall identity. (What does this mean? jm)

Link, Kelly. Pretty Monsters. Viking. 2008. 978-0-670-01090-5 $19.99
From straight fantasy to magic realism to horror, this collection includes tales of magic libraries, wizards,and dead girls getting tattoos.

Mazer, Norma Fox. The Missing Girl. HarperTeen/HarperCollins. 2008. 978-0-06-623777-0 $16.99
The five Herbert sisters find their innocent lives exploding in emotional turmoil when one of the sisters is abducted and held captive by a truly creepy child predator.

Monninger, Joseph. Baby. Front Street/Boyd Mills Press. 2007. 978-1-59078-502-7 $16.95
Fifteen-year-old Baby leaves the middle-aged Potters, her last chance at foster care, to be with her old boyfriend while she figures out her own needs and wants.

Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl. Simon and Schuster/Simon Pulse. 2008. 978-1-4169-6059-1 $16.99
Abducted at the age of ten, Alice has lived as a live-in rape victim for Ray for 5 years until he informs her that she’s "too old" for his love. (Oh my gosh!!! What is this doing in a book for teenagers??? jm)

Tharp, Tim. The Spectacular Now. Random House /Alfred A. Knopf. 2008. 978-0-375-95179-4 $16.99
Sutter Keely glides through his senior year’s final days soaked with heavy amounts of booze but his joy ride is detracted by love issues and an unclear future.

Venkatraman, Padma. Climbing the Stairs. Penguin.2008. 978-0-399-24746-0 $16.99
When Vidya’s father is seriously injured, her family moves from their progressive home to the household of her conservative relatives, where she must adjust to new set of expectations. (I'm curious about this one. jm)