OK, so here I am with a blog. I can honestly say I didn't think this would happen and I can also say that my 16 year old daughter looked at me like I was insane when I asked for her help in setting up a blog! I just feel like it is time and it something I need to do. There are too many YA books I love and so instead of overwhelming my customers, I want a place that they can go and see my picks and info. I also get asked for a list of YA events (Skypes & the rare signing) and this will be a place for that, too! All the events are on my store's homepage but since I have 50 events/groups this month, there is a need for just the YA to be posted somewhere! It will take me a little while to get everything up and running so bear with me! Soon there will be mini reviews and picks for all ages and genres of YA reading!
That brings me to a topic I knew I would touch on by doing recommendations based on age and maturity. I didn't expect to do it in the midst of controversy but since the Internet and YA community are abuzz with it right now, I will touch on censorship today. There is no place for censorship in YA or any books. Just because you or I do not want to read a certain book does not mean that another person should be denied that right. Most importantly, teens need to know that someone is writing about them and since not all teens are alike, not all books should be either!
Stephenie Meyer changed things for YA books and not just with the vampire aspect or because she started teens (and adults) reading-which I hear daily that she did. The popularity of her books has brought all ages to the YA department of my store. "Tweens" and even girls as young as 9 or 10 are now shopping there for books to read because they loved Twilight. It is up to their parents with the help of someone knowledgeable to decide what may or may not be appropriate. Would I suggest P.C. Cast to a 9 year old? Probably not unless the parents were comfortable with it. That is where Ellen Schreiber comes in. Will I still talk up The House of Night series to an older teen or adult who comes by for a vampire recommendation? Definitely-and I will talk about Vampire Kisses, too. The same thing goes with Ellen Hopkins books-they sell themselves in my store but I would not recommend them to little girls right off the bat. I am more likely to lead them towards Jen Calonita, Ally Carter or Kay Cassidy. That doesn't mean that I'm not buying the Ellen Hopkins for my older daughter or her friends who like Ellen's books. It is all a matter of choice and that choice should never be taken away!
There is a place for all writers in a bookstore just like there is a place for all people in the world. Thank you to all the YA writers out there! The teens who come into my store (and all bookstores) need you and your voice! My 12 year old will keep reading Lisi Harrison while my 16 year old waits patiently for Jay Asher to write something new. And, I will happily sell them all!
Look for some recommendations and reviews coming soon!
Crystal
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