the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood by Sherman Alexie

          After reading critic Megan Cox Gurdon’s article on YA Fiction, about how Young Adult Fiction has changed over the years into these dark, disturbing, ghastly pieces filled with rape, drugs, abuse, and self-harm, I was curious to see the reactions of the authors to which she criticized. One author, to whom she went more into depth about, was Sherman Alexie, author of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” Fortunately for me I found a response to Gurdon’s article called “Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood,” in which Alexie picks apart Gurdon’s attack using personal experiences of himself as well as those around him.

          Megan Cox Gurdon argues that YA Fiction exposes children to a darkness that they’ve never experienced, and shouldn’t ever read about. Sherman Alexie brings his own personal experience to the table, arguing that most teens are already exposed to these dark topics. “I have yet received a letter from a child somehow debilitated by the domestic violence, drug abuse, racism, poverty, sexuality, and murder contained in my book. To the contrary, kids as young as ten have sent me autobiographical letters written in crayon, complete with drawings inspired by my book, that are just as dark, terrifying, and redemptive as anything I’ve ever read.” To summarize Alexie’s words, children just barely the age of young adult fiction can relate to these mature topics because they themselves have lived through them. Children are exposed to topics that we often don’t want to believe that they know at such a young age, authors with a more personal experience seem to realize this.

          Sherman Alexie notices that the adults in his life, while growing up “wanted to protect me from evil.” He says, quote, they “tried to rescue me.” All adults want is to protect their children from the dangers and cruelness of life for as long as they can. But Alexie argues that a young man who’d he’d met, was destined to become a soldier, by his father’s demands. “He was old enough to die and kill for his country. And old enough to experience the infinite horrors of war. But according to Ms. Gurdon, he might be too young to read a YA novel that vividly portrays these same horrors.” As Americans we have age limits on things like voting, driving, going to war, and yet these young men and women who are at the ages of sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen would be restricted from reading books showing the same horrors they were meant to face. “I don’t write to protect them,” Alexie writes. “ It’s far too late for that.”

          Gurdon writes, that YA novels are written with “depravity and hideously distorted,” portrayals of Young Adult Fiction literature. Alexie also writes about his experience as a teenager living with the abuse he dealt with in his books. Alexie discusses that sometimes the best thing for somebody who is going through the same issues as characters in novels, is to read these books. It’s nice to know that somebody else out there, even if it’s a fictionalized character, understands their pain, and goes through the same things. It makes you feel less alone. “They read because they believe, despite the callow protestations of certain adults, that the books-especially the dark and dangerous ones-will save them.” Books that address serious topics can even inspire kids to help themselves in their own lives. “I read books about monsters and monstrous things, often written with monstrous language, because they taught me how to battle the real monsters in my life.” Gurdon doesn’t understand that sometimes reading can comfort you.

          After reading the battle between Gurdon and her suppression of dark YA books, contrasting with the beliefs of author Sherman Alexie, I decided that it was really up to the person. Often, YA books are going to be very dark, and perhaps too dark for most. And maybe parents will feel uncomfortable, allowing their children to read these books. But there are some kids out there who need these books. “I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.” Some kids need the comfort of knowing others have bled, and picked up the pieces. We need to seek comfort in books, and know things will get better. If you aren’t comfortable with it, don’t read it. But people have a right to know what’s out there. We shouldn’t be banning these books that show the lives of gruesome teens, but embrace the fact that these are real things that happen, and we need to educate and comfort those around us. Children don’t deserve to be sheltered before they’re thrust out into the real world.