Topic of the Week: Reading Levels vs Maturity Levels

[jgurtler]

As writers and readers of Young Adult, we probably all have strong ideas about book banning and sensorship in schools and libraries. The loaded topic I'd like to discuss this week is the difference between reading levels and maturity levels and how that can be addressed

Comments

[mandyhubbard]

I think its 100% the parents call, on a individual basis. To allow one person (or group of persons) to ban on a book suggests in some way that they are smarter than me or better parents.

I think bannign stems from the naive idea that our children can be sheltered from all this. IN reality, I think books allow children to explore topics--and see the repercussions-- in side the pages of a book.

99% of books out there show how teens must react, adapt, learn from mistakes. yes, there are the occasional gossip girl style books that glamorize partying/sex, but most of them take a raw, real approach to real issues and allow characters to learn from choices.

I dont plan on restricting what my daughter reads. ever. I think if you raise your child to be an intelligent, free thinking person, they can explore topics through books and learn more and become a more well rounded person becuase of it.

[jgurtler]

I agree completley with you on this. I don't ever plan on restricting my son's reading. (he's young now and I'm just praying he'll WANT to read this and that and everything!)

I do think parents need to be AWARE of what their children are reading though. So if they are young and there are mature aspects of a book, they can discuss them with the kids.

[mandyhubbard]

Absolutey. If you are concerned about books yoru child is reading, read them first or scan the pages..... but allow other parents to take the same perogative, don't decide for them.

[kristin_briana]

I totally agree. I remember when I was about 8, I picked up a book at the library. My mother looked and it and suggested I choose another one, because she didn't think I was quite mature enough for that one. In the end, I really really wanted to read it, so my mom let me check it out. That book gave me nightmares for weeks, lol, but my point is that my mother allowed me to make my own decision about that particular book, and I was able to see first hand what kind of novels I could handle and what kind I couldn't.

Yeah, I definitely think parents should have a say. I wholly support parents reading to their kids. Books will get inside your head and make you think, but I believe if parents handle sensitive topics with maturity, their children will mature too.

[anywherebeyond]

As a parent, I say that responsibility lies with the parent.

Age banding, rating- all it becomes is a de-facto statement on the contents. It requires third and fourth and fifth parties to decide what is appropriate, and as we've seen with the movie rating system- a little bit of sex is an R rating, but graphic, violent murders can pull out a PG-13.

Parents are the ones who should decide what's appropriate for their children, because only parents know what their values and view of appropriate is.

Obviously, I have no problem with 12 year olds reading about playing with a Ouija board. I'm pretty sure some religious sects would differ with me on that.

Your kids, you decide. It's your job. Sorry it's a tough one, but having kids was never meant to be easy.

[jgurtler]

I agree with you. Parents need to know what their kids are reading, just as they need to know what their kids are watching on tv.

The only problem I have with Ouija boards is that they still scare me.

[cbpotts]

When I was in the fourth grade, a teacher took The Thorn Birds away from me, as it was "Completely Inappropriate".

My parents flipped out. The rule in our house had always been, read what you want, come to US with questions. They saw no reason for the school to interfere in that process.

It was the same for all my sisters, and while I turned out to be a monumental screw up, they're all well adjusted productive members of society. So at least 75% of the time, the theory works :)

I use it with my own children. I think it is ABSOLUTELY the parent's responsibility to know and guide their children's reading. Otherwise, how do we, as parents, help them process what they're reading?

[jgurtler]

I love that. Read what you want, come to US with questions is really great parental advice.

[jonnyskov]

teachers taking books away from kids...ugh. Is there anything more absurd?

[jgurtler]

Sounds to me like a great case of know thy child.
Your thoughts be worth a lot!!

[sydney_salter]

I had a school librarian do the same thing to my daughter. I tried to assure the librarian that there wasn't a book in her library that I wouldn't be comfortable with my daughter reading, but she still came home with simple stories that bored her to pieces. She rarely read her library books and stuck with what she found at home.

[jgurtler]

That's too bad.

[oligomer]

...I was reading at an university level in grade 5.
I read adult sci-fi/fantasy and YA.
Didn't scare me any, and my parents only felt the need to censor my sister's reading of...well, Kusiel's Chosen and similar series. Basically, sexually explict was a no-no.
I reread books I read then, and I get such a different picture than I used to have on them. It's awesome.

[jgurtler]

Wow. University level in grade 5. Go you!
I like your perspective alot!