“Adults Should Read Adult Books,” says Joel Stein

30 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by sherylbooks in For Educators Tags: , , ,

According to Joel Stein, “Adults Should Read Adult Books.” Stein’s opinion piece appeared in the New York Times, March 29, 2012

Mr. Stein admits his opinion is based on books he read as a child and on recent books he’s never read. He’d be more persuasive if he had knowledge of the work he’s criticizing.

As an author of thirteen published children’s books and a reader of young adult and adult literature, I could not disagree more. Many young adult books are emotionally and intellectually challenging. Many books intended for an adult audience are not.

Mr. Stein’s argument is shallow.  There is great value in engaging young people through the literature that reflects their realities.  If you want to understand young people, read what speaks to them. The fact that these books embarrass Mr. Stein is bizarre.

Sadly, Mr. Stein has no idea of the richness of the literature he’s missing.  I hope that’s not the case with most of his readers.

Another take on adults reading young adult literature

30 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

by sherylbooks in For Educators, For Parents Tags: , ,

Further to yesterdays post about adults reading kids’ books…

 Patricia McCormick, author of Sold, Cut and Never Fall Down, has a different take on why adults are reading young adult literature.  Below is a quote from her opinion piece also appeared in the NYT yesterday, although I was so annoyed at Stein’s piece that I didn’t notice it right away.

“It’s because adults are discovering one of publishing’s best-kept secrets: that young adult authors are doing some of the most daring work out there. Authors who write for young adults are taking creative risks — with narrative structure, voice and social commentary — that you just don’t see as often in the more rarefied world of adult fiction.” 

  

Why are libraries under the gun while corporations get off scott free?

30 Sep 2011 1 Comment

by sherylbooks in For Educators, For Parents, Worthy Causes, Writing Life Tags: , , , , ,

The Toronto Public Library system isn’t the only library in trouble in North America. While their solution is to rally creators to inspire the public to lobby an unresponsive city council, The New York Times reports that other libraries like Adams Memorial Library in Central Falls, R.I. are trying to make do by relying on volunteer staff, donations, and fundraisers.  Interestingly, public school libraries have been struggling under similar circumstances with cuts to staffing and funding for their collections.  I can recall that one of the arguments made for the reduction of school libraries was that the service they provided could be provided by public libraries.  Now, neither school nor public libraries are safe.

I can’t keep up with the constant requests for book donations from parent groups, educators, and libraries (public and school libraries both the US and Canada) who are beating the bushes for any means to keep their libraries functioning.  Of course I applaud their efforts.  But with fewer purchases of books from schools and libraries and fewer book purchases from individuals who have been hit hard by tough economic times, creators are not in a position to offer freebies.  Most writers do not sign million dollar blockbuster deals. Instead, the majority work hard for little pay.  For example, I make less today than I did 25 years ago as a full-time teacher.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not complaining. I love what I do, and I’ve had a fair bit of success at it.  I made a conscious decision to enter a less secure field.  The decrease in financial rewards have been offset by a more flexible schedule, the ability to choose what I want to work on, and the rewards of creating a lasting body of work.  But as writers, we are simply not in a position to meet today’s donation demands which requires us purchasing large quantities of our books from our publishers (no they aren’t free) then turning around and donating both our  books and the shipping costs to needy schools and libraries.

What is more disturbing is that while libraries teeter on the edge of survival, large corporations like General Electric, paid no federal income tax last year despite large profits.

Isn’t there something wrong with this picture?