Darkness Too Visible - by: Megan Cox Gurdon - Darkness Too Visible

     Darkness Too Visible by Megan Cox Gurdon, is a biased article that discusses the topic of Young Adult Literature, and whether or not it's too "dark" and "inappropriate" for teens. In the article, Gurdon uses examples from other generations and multiple books along with others' opinion on the topic, to support her claim that; teens shouldn't be exposed to books with such appalling themes.
     "Hundreds of lurid and dramatic covers stood on the racks before her, and there was, she felt, "nothing, not a thing, that I could imagine giving my daughter. It was all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff." Gurdon used this description to help support her claim because she is using another persons' opinion to help persuade her readers. Gurodon also used the contrast between previous generations to support her claim, such as the idea the Luaren Myracle, is this generation's Judy Blume. Gurdon displayed the idea that Judy Blume had written risky novels that delt with puberty and a novel about teenagers lose their virginites. While this generation's Judy Blume, Lauren Myracle deals with homosexuality, assault, alcohol consumption, drug use. And Gurdon used these examples out of Myracle's work to magnify the idea that some of Myracle's writing shouldn't be read by teens.
     In conclusion, while Megan Cox Gurdon did have promising points in her article, this article was biased and Gurdon didn't really explore a lot of Young Adult Literature. Gurdon used example from books that did have a bit of a dark edge, yet while there are still plenty of Young Adult Literature that isn't as gruesome, and in my opinion, teens should be able to explore and enjoy Young Adult Literature because in conclusion, the books were all written with purpose.

The Year I Turned Sixteen - By Diane Schweem - Blog Post #2

Kennedy Tavares

806

October 20, 2014

Blog Post #2

                                         The Year I Turned Sixteen - Blog Post

“You have to love yourself, before you can love another"  – Kennedy Tavares

Do you think, being a sixteen year old girl, who has recently lost her father, been told of that her family was going broke, and stuck in acquisitive relationship while taking on the rough task as an older sister, is easy?  

The Year I Turned Sixteen by Diane Schweem, Is about four sisters, Rose, Daisy, Laurel, and, Lily, and what happens on the year they turned sixteen. I read about Rose Walker and how when she turned sixteen she dealt with her father’s death while managing relationships with her family, friends, and boyfriend(s). As I continued to read more about Rose Walker and her sixteenth birthday, I learned that, that you have to have a certain amount of respect for yourself and your family, because if you don’t, you will be miserable.

            In the beginning of the book, Rose Walker was portrayed to be insecure yet selfish, especially around her wealthy boyfriend; Parker. And you begin to see more of that when her mother announces that the family was going broke, Rose begins to feel ashamed of her family’s financial status which sends Rose in to a whirlpool of shame as she begins to distrust herself. When her mother asked Rose to get some groceries using food stamps. “’Need help carrying in the groceries?’ … ‘I’m so sorry, choral practice ran over and I was late picking up Daisy … I’ll run back out’ I offered praying she wouldn’t call my bluff.” (55), this evidence proves her insecurities and the fact that she is embarrassed about her family’s new financial status.

            Shortly after Rose’s breakup with Parker, Rose began seeing Stephen; a peer of Parker’s, Rose’s attitude about life began to change as her relationship got more serious. When Stephen took Rose out on a date Rose learned that even though Stephen comes from money he isn’t like Parker. After their unexpected breakup, however, Rose was left in a rut and if it weren’t for the help of her family, she wouldn’t had gotten over him, and her after that, Rose had a newfound appreciation for her family and connected with them on a different level.

            In conclusion, I leaned from Rose Walker’s sixteenth birthday that you need to be comfortable with yourself and your family before you engage into any romantic relationship. And this was proven as the story unfolded and her feelings evolved and Rose matured, we as readers, were able to see where Rose developed.