I love Elizabeth Minkel’s article in the New Statesman, “Read whatever the hell you want: why we need a new way of talking about young adult literature.” It soothes my heartsore parts that are so tired of the condescension. Thank you, Elizabeth Minkel. Also, thanks for making me laugh when you said, “(I saw the… Read more »
stop condescending to young people
Responses to Graham, Scott, Beha
In response to Ruth Graham’s piece in Salon about YA, A.O. Scott’s piece in the New York Times (partly) about YA, and Christopher Beha’s piece in the New Yorker about YA, Sarah Hamburg wrote the very funny “How to Tell If You’re in an Essay about Adulthood”. It won’t make sense without the context of… Read more »
I Agree That You Don’t Know
Joel Stein thinks that adults shouldn’t be reading books published for young adults and children. “I’m sure all those books are well written,” he writes. “So is ‘Horton Hatches the Egg.’ But Horton doesn’t have the depth of language and character as literature written for people who have stopped physically growing.” Then he goes on… Read more »
Randutiae and Housekeeping for a Thursday
A few people have asked me for my reaction to the Wall Street Journal article by Meghan Cox Gurdon called “Darkness Too Visible.” (Here’s the subhead: “Contemporary fiction for teens is rife with explicit abuse, violence and depravity. Why is this considered a good idea?”) So, here’s my reaction: Seriously? That old complaint again? I… Read more »
Pieces of Memory. Plus, the World’s Longest Version of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
It’s moving season here in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Today I watched neighbors lower furniture through the window of a third story apartment using a rope and pulley. This reminded me of seeing all the pulley hooks at the top of houses in Amsterdam when I was on tour last spring. Apparently, Amsterdam stairways are narrow! Of… Read more »
In Which the Author Babbles and Then Offers a Dance as Penance
First, a couple links: a recent beautiful Astronomy Picture of the Day; and, if you happen to be a Battlestar Galactica fan, a recent segment from NPR’s Weekend Edition all about the music of BSG. (Ahem. But please don’t leave any Season 4 spoilers in the comments, because I’m only partway through the season. ^_^)… Read more »
Who’s Up for a Labor Day Rant?
I’ve read a few articles lately and been involved in a few conversations that have gotten me thinking about the topic of audience age. And then, the other day, a wonderful conversation about writing, readership, the “intended audience,” etc. erupted on the blog of Sarah Prineas, the author of The Magic Thief. The conversation is… Read more »
