Chapter 6

The reading from the Adolescent Literacy book brought up the idea of newer topics and items which are considered helpful for students to become more literate. The main focus was the changing faces of books and the novel themes and issues that they discuss. Decades ago, authors would never have dared venture into such controversial realms, and readers would not have been caught picking up such risky books. But now, these types of books are much more commonplace, and in fact they are an invaluable tool for the ever-changing teenager. When teens read these types of books that don’t hide those kinds of issues that teens may come across in their school or personal life, they appreciate the fact that they are reading something that has value to them. These books and stories can give deeper meaning into a young adult’s life, and perhaps teach them more than any educator possibly could. Teens these days especially don’t seem to like talking to parents or counselors about problems they might be having, so the ability to read these books and recognize that their problems are shared with others out there could have a great impact on the teens’ lives. I know that in my future English classes, I will gladly allow my students to choose books that may be a little more controversial but all the same are great books. I might come across some opposition from parents, but their children need to be able to experience their world from the eyes of another. It’s worth taking the risk of upsetting a few parents if it means that a student will get the chance to read a book that truly speaks to them.