Books Quote by M.T. Anderson
““It sometimes strikes me that there is only one taboo left in young adult literature. By and large, no one complains any more when we write about drugs or sex. We can write about masturbation; terminal illness; the horrors of war; illegal organ transplants; matricide; the chilly delights of necrophilia; scenes of locker-room bukkake – none of this raises an eyebrow. No, the one thing which still causes people pause – the final hurdle – the last frontier – the one element which still gets a few adult readers up in arms about whether a book is appropriate for kids – is intelligence. Some adults still balk at the assumption that our readers, the teenagers of this country, are smart, and curious, and get a kick out of knowing things. One of the great things about writing YA today is that this is changing.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing YA literature, 2020
Adults often underestimate teenage readers' intelligence, limiting the depth and complexity of YA content.
In simple terms: Adults doubt teen intelligence, restricting topics.
Key Takeaway
Respect and challenge teen readers.
Themes
literature
education
intelligence
taboo
culture
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
controversial
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parental guidance
- book reviews
- publishing decisions
Key Concepts
censorship
young adult fiction
social norms
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- Should publishers prioritize marketability over depth?
- How can writers balance honesty with sensitivity?
A Different Perspective
Risk of alienating conservative audiences.
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