This is an interesting subject. I, for one, am all about
reading even if it’s the back of a cereal box. Reading is knowledge and it
doesn’t matter what you read as long as you are enjoying what you are reading
and/or learning from it. I feel like we as a society are actually giving these
genres a better chance than in the past. Many adults are reading YA and Graphic
Novels – many. Look at the success of the Harry
Potter series. I realize this is more Children’s Literature but that makes
it even more of an example. I also loved Miss
Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ranson Riggs. I think because this
book is illustrated, it may make it less attractive to adults but that is one
of the reasons I loved it. The photos were creepy and they enhanced the reading
experience for me.
I’m not really sure anyone is really promoting these books
to adults. Adults started reading these books because they have grown to
possess higher quality writing with authors who are well-respected. Also, I
think children and teens are being educated earlier and are smarter than they
were years ago – for their age. Kids are more educated today which make them on
a more even level with people of older generations which put their books at a
more even level. I think adults were reading these books before any promotion;
promotion came out of that realization. There weren’t YA books of this caliber
when I was a teen.
And let’s not forget Graphic Novels. Graphic Novels have
always sort of been viewed as the adult’s comic book; for those who loved
comics as kids but now are expected to grow up and read something else. But
there are so many subjects covered by Graphic Novels, I’m not sure children and
teens should be reading them. The last Graphic Novel I read was My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, a
true recollection of a high school friendship with Jeffery Dahmer. This title
covers some of the disgusting actions of Dahmer leading up to his serial
killing days; something I don’t think is appropriate for young teens. But I
loved it and that is why I love Graphic Novels; there are so many topics people
don’t realize.
I think as librarians we do as we are instructed to do in
school; treat everyone the same and don’t discriminate against what a person
wants to read. It’s pretty simple to me. If an adult wants to read a book by a
YA author or a Graphic Novel, so be it. Why should I care?
It is interesting that graphic novels as seen as "grown up comics", when in fact....comics are "grow up comics". There is a big misunderstanding when it comes to the content of modern comic books. Most people imagine that they are the same as they were 60 years ago, with Superman telling children to be good, Batman telling Robin to buckle up in the Batmobile...etc. In reality, the entire medium has shifted, and now children's comics are the irregularity, while young adult and adult comics are now the norm. Never be afraid to suggest superhero comics to an adult, they are ow written for them instead of for children.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is on my list to read soon!! I must read this graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer. I have never seen this one. I agree with you about graphic novels and teens, but I am certain that they are reading them. Some of the anime borders on pornographic. I am certain that most of the graphic novels border on being inappropriate. This brings up a good point and the main reason that I think adults should be reading these novels. I think that as a parent it is important for me to know what my children are reading. I am an extremely relaxed on what my children read, because I know that if I tell them they can't then that will be first on their list to read. Both my boys love anime and it is hard to keep up with. Some of these cover sex, bondage and so many more topics that are touchy for teens. Thank you for sharing and I will have to pick up both of these titles.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is on my list to read soon!! I must read this graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer. I have never seen this one. I agree with you about graphic novels and teens, but I am certain that they are reading them. Some of the anime borders on pornographic. I am certain that most of the graphic novels border on being inappropriate. This brings up a good point and the main reason that I think adults should be reading these novels. I think that as a parent it is important for me to know what my children are reading. I am an extremely relaxed on what my children read, because I know that if I tell them they can't then that will be first on their list to read. Both my boys love anime and it is hard to keep up with. Some of these cover sex, bondage and so many more topics that are touchy for teens. Thank you for sharing and I will have to pick up both of these titles.
ReplyDeleteI love the Miss Peregrine series! I also agree with you about graphic novels in that they can be important too. Many GN's are definitely written and drawn for adults. We see some that are pretty risque! But my thought is, as long as people are reading, that's all that really matters.
ReplyDeleteI love the Miss Peregrine series! I also agree with you about graphic novels in that they can be important too. Many GN's are definitely written and drawn for adults. We see some that are pretty risque! But my thought is, as long as people are reading, that's all that really matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Young adult novels appeal more to adults than they ever have in the past. YA books should be promoted more to adult readers in libraries, as the writing style and subjects of YA novels are of appeal to adults. Just having the words Young Adults as a genre title doesn't mean these books don't appeal to "older adults."
ReplyDelete-Alicia Mitchell