This week's question: Do you think YA books should have ratings?
Hmmm...this is a toughy, but after reading others' answers, I think I'm ready to write my own answer.
Before last week I'd never given any thought to rating for books. But since Cambria asked I have thought and will endeavor to answer.
So ratings for books, do I think they should have them? To be honest, no, I don't. Why? Well, let me explain.
I say, no, because I feel it unnecessary mark on the written work. In school, I was always peeved when I would get my report back that I had worked so hard on and that I had strived to keep in crisp condition, and it would have a big red letter grade in the top corner. Did they really have to put it there? I mean this was the final draft that was supposed to clean and crisp. But I digest...
Now before you get mad at me, let me say that even tough I don't think that they should have rating, I do believe that they should have a disclaimer saying if the book had sexual content, drug use, etc. I think this way, because I don't really like being told what I can and can't read, but a disclaimer when tell any concerned parent what kind of book it was.This I would appreciate as well, because my age range is young adult but I prefer not read books with sexual content and where doing drugs is accepted.
In my own stories there is none of that, not even a single swear. There is one story of mine, the only non-fantasy one, that is about a drunk driving accident that causes the death of a young character. So I never portray drugs or alcohol is a good thing and stay away from any sexual content. So my stories might labeled as children's books.
So that's me and my strange opinion. Tell me, what do you think?
Hi!
ReplyDeleteA disclaimer on a book would be really helpful, at least then people could make informed decisions about what they read.
Sometimes you can have a really good blurb on the back of a book, but it doesn't clue you up about content. I could never be told what to read growing up, but I think something brief and advisory on a book would be helpful. :-)
I agree with you - disclaimer would be okay. I like YA books because there aren't gratuitous sex scenes, they are more about the love and friendship. I know that when I was part of the YA age range anything I was told not to read I immediately went out and bought. What can I say, I'm a rebel! And I know that there are kids out there just like I was.:)
ReplyDeleteA disclaimer or further categorization or ratings...anything that would help flag the sexual content and substance use, It is a sticky question for sure. I feel something else would be good but only if was used as a guideline...and that makes the whole thing tricky!
ReplyDeleteSorry I am late getting here, I was moving but I am here now and I think your answer is great not strange!
ReplyDeleteA disclaimer inside the book makes sense if there is sexual conduct that way parents will be warmed.
This whole topic can go a lot of different ways. I am not sure there is a right or wrong answer. But I enjoyed hearing everyone's thoughts!