Young Adult Fiction: Let Teens Choose
As I work with my students, I have been thinking more and more about how they choose their books. I have been focused on the types of books that they read, but not so much about how they choose them. Recently, I happened to find an article, on The Huffington Post, that discusses a point that I feel is quite interesting.
The author, Chris Crutcher, discusses how many parents have been complaining about the "dark" nature of books these days. That idea started me thinking about the type of books that I see my students reading. I understand that many parents see the book covers and assume that darkness will follow, but I will admit that most young adult novels are just about teen life and the issues that they face everday.
One of the biggest problems that kids have is choosing a book that is interesting to them, and the second is that their parents buy books for them that are not something that can hold their attention. Kids today do not have a desire to read. They would prefer to watch TV, go to the movies, text, or just hang out with their friends. Where most people would say, "Well of course! Kids have always avoided reading!", but I say that the number is growing.
Kids need to be able to figure out what books they want on their own. I applaud the parent that takes their child to the library or bookstore, and encourages them to sit and read through different books...not just choose their books by the cover.
I agree with Chris Crutcher, he says that kids should choose their own books, not have books given to them. If we want to our kids to start reading again, we have to show them that they have to trust their interests when picking their own books.
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