Junk Vs. Classics-Where's the value?

The debate goes on. Do we allow our children to read junk books, especially those children who are struggling to find their place as a reader? Or do we insist that they only read books that have become classics? Books that we feel are better for their minds?

Teen readers come in various forms. There are those who have already developed a love of reading. These teens don’t care what they read, they just need to read. You’ll find them with a classic one day and maybe a book that we consider “junk” another day. We’re not concerned about these readers because they read well and they comprehend what they are reading. They will be ready for the reading demands of their future. The middle of the road readers know they need to read to complete assignments and they manage to accomplish their reading tasks. They may not exactly like reading but they appreciate their responsibilities and just do what they have to do. You won’t find them doing too much outside reading for pleasure. Then there are the reluctant readers who just don’t like reading at all. They can’t see much value in reading and are not motivated to do any reading in their leisure time. This latter group is the one who would benefit most from a free rein when it comes to reading choices. But if they get hooked on junk, will they ever cross over to the classics. There’s no guarantee. But there are benefits from reading that teens will receive no matter what type of book they are reading. They will improve their vocabulary and become aware of the world they live in. Reading causes teens to use their brains by absorbing different viewpoints, remembering facts and details, and creative thinking by evaluating the details. These are the benefits along the way. The final goal is to develop a love of reading. When this happens, teens won’t stop at junk books and will want to explore other authors and other sources of new ideas ways of thinking. So let them read.

My picks this week have all been recommended by teens as they browsed in the Young Adult room at my public library. I asked what the last book was that they read and these have become my picks of the week:


ttyl by Lauren Myracle. 2004. Grades 8-10.
This book is a series of internet dialogues between three teenage girls, thus the title, ttyl which is instant messaging lingo for “talk to you later”. The three protagonists are best friends in high school and are identified throughout the book by their screen names: Angela is "SnowAngel," Zoe is "zoegirl," and Madigan is "mad maddie". Their conversations from September to November are typical of high school girls who are dealing with issues ranging from boys and clothes to drinking and sex. These are totally written in instant messaging lingo.
Teens love the language and the topics. Adults on the other hand may find the topics a bit too honest and the language too difficult to decipher.



Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. 2010. Young Adult.
Anna is an about to be senior in high school who is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta. She loves her job, she loves her boyfriend and her best friend. She has just found out that she has to go to boarding school in Paris. This all changes when she meets Etienne St. Clair. She develops a crush but still has feelings for her old boyfriend back in Atlanta and she learns that he has a serious girlfriend. They remain good friends throughout the book. Anna is quirky and full of teenage emotions. She hopes that she’ll finally get her long-awaited French kiss. This book is romantic, funny, and dramatic.
The teen who recommended this told me that this was the most popular book among her group of friends.



Doing It by Melvin Burgess. 2004. Grades 10 and up.
Three teenage high school boys, Dino, Jonathan, and Ben, deal with sex. The story begins as they are fantasizing about having sex with teachers, classmates, and even the Queen of England. Then begins the dialogue about their actual experiences. Dino’s girlfriend, Jackie, is the prettiest girl in school. She puts out but he tries to use another girl for sex while keeping his relationship with Jackie. He witnesses his mother with a man who is not his father, and watches his parents’ marriage end. Jonathan is keeping secret his feelings for Deborah, an overweight girl whom everyone likes as a friend. He either follows his heart or risks the ridicule of his friends. Ben has an affair with his drama teacher. At first he enjoys it but soon tries to get out of the relationship.
Burgess admits to writing this book because books about sexuality are usually from the female viewpoint and he wanted to change that. The sexual content is pretty strong but the male characters change into more sympathetic characters with their experiences. This book will probably appeal more to boys than to girls. The recommendation came from a boy.