A reader objects to Ruth Graham’s argument that adult readers of YA must “abandon the mature insights … that they (supposedly) have acquired as adults”:
I don’t think of this as a fair criticism. This makes me think of a book I read, Beautiful Creatures, which I enjoyed because I thought it had an interesting story set in a culture distinct from my own. However, the teenage characters were, as she described, portrayed in a fairly uncritical way. This led to portions of the story that frustrated me, but it did not require me to abandon my adult perspective. In fact, it allowed me to apply it as I saw fit. I don’t need the author to provide me with an “adult” perspective.
This applies to children’s novels too. A story can be written in a way that is suitable for children, but possess elements that can be appreciated better by an adult. Think of the political dynamics in Harry Potter or the religious insights in The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m an adult who has read and reread many of these books and likely will again. I see no shame in this.
Another reader emphasizes the pleasures of reading with children:
My daughter is turning 10 this summer, and I love sharing books with her. We just started The Witch of Blackbird Pond; a personal favorite made all the more special because she goes to school in Old Saybrook.
I don’t think reading YA or even children’s chapter books is reading down; rather it is doing exactly the thing I am looking for in reading fiction which is to be transported to another place and another time for a bit. Through my children I have discovered so many wonderful books that I have enjoyed re-reading with them (I dare anyone not to be cheered by any book written or illustrated by Oliver Jeffers or to claim that they didn’t read ahead in any Harry Potter book) and I have shared my favorites with them.
When so many adults are not reading anything at all, should we be attaching age limits to books?
On a similar note, another reader contends that adult fans of YA do the valuable work of building a shared literary culture:
While culture as a whole seems pretty fragmented these days, young adult novels are books that teens and adults can both read and enjoy. Many of them can be read aloud to younger children. If a whole family has read a book, then they have something to help bind them together. If a book is popular, then more members of society can get together and talk about this shared story, and there is value in that.
That’s why it’s so great that children’s movies have become more an more enjoyable to adults. It’s why it’s a good thing that the cartoon series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic appeals to boys and young men: we can share these wonderful things with each other as a society.
The Dish 