tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post636652563855797592..comments2024-03-25T22:38:39.934-07:00Comments on THERESA'S TALES: Needing Dark to See the LightTheresa Milsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-72355093577369397452021-05-18T06:06:08.239-07:002021-05-18T06:06:08.239-07:00Thanks for every other informative site. The place...Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal means? 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You made a good point but I can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks <a href="https://darkweb-links.org/" rel="nofollow">dark web sites</a><br />ADEENSRANKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16230773477015180640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-6043887510777985072020-08-10T03:07:01.645-07:002020-08-10T03:07:01.645-07:00Wonderful article. Fascinating to read. I love to ...Wonderful article. Fascinating to read. I love to read such an excellent article. Thanks! It has made my task more and extra easy. Keep rocking. <a href="https://darkweb-links.org/" rel="nofollow">dark web links</a>Gerard Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674723158304931575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-55086821605009167442020-06-10T23:24:31.623-07:002020-06-10T23:24:31.623-07:00We are really grateful for your blog post. You wil...We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. <a href="https://darkweb-links.org/" rel="nofollow">dark web links</a><br />Gerard Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674723158304931575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-29007265008061616172011-06-29T13:41:36.464-07:002011-06-29T13:41:36.464-07:00Great response to the article. I love that you bro...Great response to the article. I love that you brought up the article to your students. <br /><br />What struck me in the original article is how flustered the mom in the example was from just looking at the books and reading back cover descriptions. I wish it had been noted what her criteria was for "dark." And just because a book is about abuse, more times than not it's about how the character deals with abuse, not just abuse for no reason. I get if parents aren't into vampires or witches, that's fine, but the article hashed on issue-driven books, too, and I can't believe teh article author was baffled by reactions of censorship.<br /><br />I wish more people who jump on the book banning train would get how books can teach us. With Mtv's "Jersey Shore," all visual with no teaching. We see drunkeness, illiteracy, violence and it's supposed to be *funny*. Not to say the same parents who have issues with "dark" books are OK with Jersey Shore, but half of cable TV is flooded with reality shows about people with no values. Why cry outrage over books that show consequences and depth of emotion?Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-19194019722251077732011-06-20T10:20:18.232-07:002011-06-20T10:20:18.232-07:00@ Deniz, thank you. Yes, books are a great way to...@ Deniz, thank you. Yes, books are a great way to understand and come to terms with an experience.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-33347194839137796532011-06-17T18:15:33.084-07:002011-06-17T18:15:33.084-07:00Great post Theresa. I don't think kids should ...Great post Theresa. I don't think kids should be "protected" - reading about all sorts of experiences helps broaden your ideas so much. And if you read a book that helps you understand an experience or come to terms with it, so much the better no?Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-10623310915653803032011-06-16T13:59:18.088-07:002011-06-16T13:59:18.088-07:00@ Jemi, while I think kids are exposed to more, I ...@ Jemi, while I think kids are exposed to more, I think they're luck there are so many books to help them cope. My family was great at pretending things weren't problems, and not looking for solutions. I would've loved to have had access to some of the titles I come across now.<br /><br />I love the way you call books hope and how the hope can translate into reality. <br /><br />@ Lydia, I'm glad so many came forward to argue against the WSJ article too. And I'm sure your contribution would've been worthy!<br /><br />@ Hilary, I agree. Children know what they're able to and need to read. They aren't going to bother investing hours in a book that isn't going to resonate with them.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-68752417977937564742011-06-16T09:52:27.002-07:002011-06-16T09:52:27.002-07:00Hi Theresa .. this is so interesting - not having ...Hi Theresa .. this is so interesting - not having kids .. we just don't know - but if we let them choose, they usually choose wisely .. if they're not interested - then the kids simply aren't interested and won't read, or look or buy ..<br /><br />Excellent post stirring some good content - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-11210955619689739952011-06-15T16:14:23.968-07:002011-06-15T16:14:23.968-07:00The article was really disturbing to me. I was so ...The article was really disturbing to me. I was so glad so many people came forward to express, better than I could, the other side of the argument.Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-11468604284618550312011-06-15T16:01:17.312-07:002011-06-15T16:01:17.312-07:00Yes!
I love Alexie's response - powerful enou...Yes!<br /><br />I love Alexie's response - powerful enough to give me chills.<br /><br />Kids and teens are so much more capable and intelligent as readers than so many people realize. They are much more worldly than was at there age - much more exposed to the darker sides of life. And for those poor kids who suffer in their personal hells, books can often provide them with hope - and that hope can translate into reality.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-78508857678606190922011-06-15T14:57:19.378-07:002011-06-15T14:57:19.378-07:00@ Michelle, thank you.
@ Arlee, I agree. Parents...@ Michelle, thank you.<br /><br />@ Arlee, I agree. Parents should be reading what their kids are reading or have some idea of the content. I told my kids I didn't want them reading Twilight because Bella isn't a good female model and the child-werewolf attraction at the end was inappropriate to me.<br /><br />@ Lynda, yes, there's so much sensationalism bombarding kids and teens. We should be reading and discussing with our children.<br /><br />@ Talli, that's why I'm a good parent - I allow both hacking and reading. <br /><br />@ Stephen, yes, parents should decide what's appropriate for their children to read, watch, and listen to. <br /><br />@ Tony, when I think what I'd been exposed to when I was a child: mental illness and alcoholism, I would've loved books on those subjects then. Right now, I'm read A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler. Where was this book when I was a teen? <br /><br />@ Margo, my children and students continuously surprise me with their knowledge. They also have a lot of innocence. It's a balance to give them knowledge and not remove their innocence. I think YA authors try to strike that balance. And for the books that are extreme, the back cover is usually pretty clear what the book is about. If the teens know they don't want to tackle that subject, they won't open the book.<br /><br />@ Jules, exactly! Couldn't have said it better myself. We never know what is the piece of vital info, do we?<br /><br />@ Jolene, thank you. This book is on my TBR pile too.<br /><br />@ Shannon, thank you. I appreciate it.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-67705730007203443732011-06-15T13:15:15.503-07:002011-06-15T13:15:15.503-07:00Glad I stopped by today. I love your response to t...Glad I stopped by today. I love your response to the article and citing your students responses eloquently illustrates the point. Well done! =)Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-14803553577655719172011-06-15T09:38:00.416-07:002011-06-15T09:38:00.416-07:00I think this is one of the best worded, and well-s...I think this is one of the best worded, and well-said responses to that article.<br /><br />Also - that book is WAY high on my TBR pile.Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809468564016928636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-1827881300944857542011-06-15T09:22:22.238-07:002011-06-15T09:22:22.238-07:00Sorry I'm late but WOW what a good post. Not b...Sorry I'm late but WOW what a good post. Not being a parent, I have always thought for a child to make a judgment they can stand behind they must first have ALL the facts. Not just the ones we think they need.<br /><br />Again great post Theresa!<br /><a href="http://fragilemouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow</a>Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136045025997662057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-26001115994511223042011-06-15T09:15:47.470-07:002011-06-15T09:15:47.470-07:00Really good post! I love that you debate things li...Really good post! I love that you debate things like this with the kids themselves. I believe many adults forget to include youngsters in their discussions.<br /><br />These kids are at the sharp end - they understand depth far more than are given credit for.Margo Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06759845391358543223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-89194969751138030232011-06-15T09:02:05.428-07:002011-06-15T09:02:05.428-07:00I think a lot of adults like to feel that trauma i...I think a lot of adults like to feel that trauma is their domain. It's too easy to forget that young people experience just as much 'stuff' as adults - some of them more. It's wrong headed to patronise them with tales of how they wouldn't understand. Most of us were as intelligent as teenagers as we are now, and some more so.Tony Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06798586432645889182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-22417762909711451592011-06-15T06:53:44.720-07:002011-06-15T06:53:44.720-07:00This is a touchy subject better left to the parent...This is a touchy subject better left to the parent to decide what is right or not right for their children to read. I have my opinion, and I respect the opinions of others on this matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-54112085905480895922011-06-15T04:22:14.847-07:002011-06-15T04:22:14.847-07:00Very well said, Theresa. Society is far from being...Very well said, Theresa. Society is far from being all rainbows and chocolate, unfortunately. I don't understand how people have no problem letting kids actively engage in hacking people to death in video games, yet don't want them to read risque books.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-89076597546925353882011-06-15T02:06:00.364-07:002011-06-15T02:06:00.364-07:00Great points. I think there is a place for that si...Great points. I think there is a place for that side of YA fiction. Anything gratuitous for shock sake alone cheapens it and desensitizes our youth. I do think it's important for parents to know what their kids are reading so they can at least discuss possible issues that the books might raise.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-22401828793577592052011-06-14T22:50:23.723-07:002011-06-14T22:50:23.723-07:00The message is the most important part and sometim...The message is the most important part and sometimes getting there can be a bit rocky. If parents are concerned maybe it's a good idea for them to read what their kids are reading so they can discuss it together.<br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-19129869150319593762011-06-14T19:03:56.101-07:002011-06-14T19:03:56.101-07:00Hello! great post. Well thought out.Hello! great post. Well thought out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-76094920499161643092011-06-14T13:20:55.934-07:002011-06-14T13:20:55.934-07:00@ Natalie, I just heard today that in Texas, a che...@ Natalie, I just heard today that in Texas, a cheerleader is being sued for 30k because she won't cheer her accused rapist who's on the team. He pleaded in the case to a lesser offense. It made me think of books like Speak.<br /><br />@ Meredith, they are the ones who are being affected. The WSJ author not getting their feedback for the article speaks volumes.<br /><br />@ Jennifer, I like that Alexie mentioned teens too. The books are for them so we should talk to them about the issue. I talked to my children about it as well.<br /><br />@ Clarissa, I think that's a good way to look at it. I also monitor what my kids read, what they watch, and what they do on-line without being too intrusive. But I don't want anyone else telling them what's good for them. That's my job.<br /><br />@ Erica, there are teen books out there I don't love, but they may have their place too. I don't like books peppered with too many swear words. Maybe one teen who hates to read will like a book that curses because it sounds like the reader. Some of the dark subject-matter is too much for me to stomach (I don't even like zombie books). But the subjects in the books brought up in the article, I have no problem having my son read.<br /><br />@ Neurotic Workaholic, I'm sure banned books sell way more copies than they would otherwise. Night by Elie Wiesel is required reading in many high schools. Life can be darker than we thought possible when we were kids. We shouldn't hide it from people just years away from adulthood.<br /><br />@ Carolina, thank you.<br /><br />@ Liz, I agree with you. Alexie had a good measured response. And I like the open debate too. It shouldn't be ugly.<br /><br />@ Medeia, I've noticed that students respond well to any adult who treats them like people with valid thoughts and opinions. I wish some people advocating on their behalf asked them first.<br /><br />@ Christina, they impressed me with their opinions and vocabulary. You should've heard them when we discussed the Japanese earthquake or debated microloans. They've blown me away a few times.<br /><br />@ Pat, I wish kids could remain innocent longer too. Why is Limited Too selling thongs to young kids? Why are parents letting kindergartners listen to lyrics about sex? Why are people playing truth or dare on Formspring when they're in elementary school? Reading is the least of it. <br /><br />And there are plenty of wonderful books out there that aren't about sex, incest, cutting, rape, and suicide. The difference between music and media vs. books is that one glorifies some of the nastier stuff while the other helps teens deal with these realities.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-5744487617516999792011-06-14T10:16:12.834-07:002011-06-14T10:16:12.834-07:00Your response is very thoughtful and interesting, ...Your response is very thoughtful and interesting, Theresa. I'm old fashioned, I guess, and feel children should remain as innocent as possible as long as possible. It is almost an impossible task these days as media exposes them very early to the vices of the world. Unless we shelter them from TV, music, radio, computers, etc they must face adult issues very early in life. I would hope that there would still be some YA literature that allows them the joy of reading as an escape from all of that instead of compounding it.Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-29783698320467275362011-06-14T08:37:37.914-07:002011-06-14T08:37:37.914-07:00Those kids are fantastic! Thanks for posting their...Those kids are fantastic! Thanks for posting their reactions. It's priceless. :)<br /><br />I loved Alexie's response to Gurdon's article. He highlights everything that Gurdon simply doesn't understand. I do hope she attempts to learn...but I'm not holding my breath. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.com