Article written by Amy Lauren Zoons for Florida Today newspaper while she was a sophomore in high school. Link to original article publication in Florida Today: http://newscontest.flatoday.net/EXPLOSION041107/src/flatoday.com/article966.htm
Is popular 'Gossip Girl' series really appropriate for teens?
Teen gossip novels tainted
BY LAUREN ZOONS
SOPHOMORE,
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"Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, and go to school, and play, and sleep -- sometimes with each other."
Look in almost any teenage girl's bookshelf, and you'll probably find the book with the above tagline printed on the back cover. Created by Cecily von Ziegesar, "The Gossip Girl" series follows the lives of a group of gorgeous, filthy-rich, teenagers as they party, binge-drink and chain-smoke, max out their parents' credit cards, sleep with each others' boyfriends, experiment with illegal drugs, and occasionally, attend private school. While this series is probably the most popular and best-selling of the young adult genre, there are many others that could pass as carbon copies -- "The A-List" series and "The Clique" series are among those.
These books portray teenagers indulging gratuitously with almost no consequences. Pregnancy, STDs, overdoses and legal troubles are never mentioned. They also stress the importance of having money -- that it would be impossible to live without a family yacht, Chanel purses and unlimited shopping sprees.
"All of the characters that are 'popular and cool' are extremely rich, and the characters portrayed as 'lame' have to fight their way up through the ranks to become cool," said Sarah Kelley, a freshman at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, of "The Gossip Girl" series.
With the ever-growing popularity of these types of books with teenagers, the announcement that a "Gossip Girl" TV series is under production, the recent release of the eighth "A-List" novel, and the April release of the 11th "Gossip Girl" novel, many people have been questioning whether these books are really appropriate for teens.
The controversy surrounding this issue has lead to teachers banning the books from their classrooms, and school libraries removing them from their shelves. The entire "Gossip Girl" series is the one of the most challenged novels to be banned in 2006, according to the American Library Association (ALA). It is included in this challenge for "homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, offensive language and being unsuited to the age group." Furious parents have also formed groups protesting the books, claiming they are corrupting our youth.
With so many things vying for teens' attention these days -- schoolwork, sports, video games, the Internet, television, etc. -- it is rare that a teen actually has the desire and time to sit down and read on their own. Yet these books have done just that for countless teens.
"I enjoy them because they keep me interested, but as I'm reading them I can't help but notice that the characters are terrible role models for younger girls that haven't made decisions about their choices in life yet," said Sarah.
On the other hand, Pam Spencer Holly, president of the ALA, presents an opposite view.
"Unless you read good stuff that's perhaps not the most literary, you'll never understand what good works are," she said.
Amy Lauren Zoons not sure Gossip Girl is the best for young teens
ReplyDeleteAmy Lauren Zoons is Gossip Girl still on TV?? Is that considered reading.
DeleteAmy Lauren Zoons
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