The article "Age-rated Books: Right or Wrong?" by BBC news deals with a topic of major controversy. If YA literature is appropriate for teens/kids or if it deals with topics too extreme for that age. It shows one aspect of this argument by portraying the proposal of age-rating stickers. These are basically small sticker you can put on the back of books to say what age/ages it is appropriate for. She then states the argument against this proposal. Quoting real people who disagree and why.
She then shows the side that is for these age-ratings. She puts out arguments that when you read the same book at a different age you can get a totally different message. Also poll results like 86%of adults "would welcome age guidance on children's books as one of several tools to help them choose fiction". She uses craft moves like showing both sides opinion. I like that she did this because it gives readers the entire story not just one side. Also it lets the reader choose which side they're on without getting persuaded by the authors opinion.
I personally think that the age-rating is a great idea. It doesn't stop kids from reading emotionally challenging books, but it can let them know what they're getting into and prepare them. Like it said in the article: its helps you choose fiction. Just a helping hand so that you don't read something that you're not ready for. In the article it says that people are opposed to this concept because children differ in reading skills and interests. I understand this but like I said before. There is no forcing just advising. For example a fifth grader picks up a book to read. Having no idea that it deals with rape and child abuse. If that child saw a teen+ rating they would know it deals with topics that are for teenagers and maybe too extreme and not read it because they know it might upset them. Overall age-rating seems like a great idea. It would solve lots of fights over who is allowed to read what. And everyone can have a happy and healthy reading life with the books that they will enjoy the most.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Try to Float
Are you a good person? Really think about it. Are you kind to others? Do you give not take? Do you go out of your way to make others happy and comfortable? Hazel, the protagonist in The Fault in our Stars by John Green certainly does. She has lung cancer so she has to carry around a oxygen tank everywhere and she can't get too much physical exertion. Even with all these complications in her life she is kind and caring towards others. This made me think that everyone should reflect on themselves more. If Hazel, who could die at any moment, can be selfless and caring, then so can I.
The main action she does that shows selflessness is when she tells Augustus that she can't be with him. She does love him but doesn't want him to have to suffer if she dies. This is a extreme choice for Hazel. It shows that she will give up what she loves so that someone else won't get hurt. I think the author included this part of the conflict to stress an important message. That the right thing might not always feel right, and that it also might not always be what you, personally, want it to be. This really pushed me to reflect. Am I as selfless as Hazel? Can I change? Would I have given up my emotions like that? Stop and think about it for yourself. Think of a time you did something solely for someone else. If you can't think of one, its really time to self reflect. I remember after Hurricane Sandy me and my mom went out to the rockaways and helped sort food and clothing. Bringing things to people in need. Knowing that you did something good is a great feeling. Its uplifting and makes you feel elated. Like floating. That bouncy, floaty, happy feeling. Happy that you made someone else happy.
After reading this book I realized how lucky I was. I have hardly any problems in my life and I can definitely afford to care more about others. I think that having cancer made Hazel value things more in life. Most of what she values is her friends and family so she is caring and kind towards them. She could die at any given time so she preserves small moments. I think everyone should see the world like Hazel. . Know that everything you do has an effect on others and that every second counts so be kind whenever you can.
The main action she does that shows selflessness is when she tells Augustus that she can't be with him. She does love him but doesn't want him to have to suffer if she dies. This is a extreme choice for Hazel. It shows that she will give up what she loves so that someone else won't get hurt. I think the author included this part of the conflict to stress an important message. That the right thing might not always feel right, and that it also might not always be what you, personally, want it to be. This really pushed me to reflect. Am I as selfless as Hazel? Can I change? Would I have given up my emotions like that? Stop and think about it for yourself. Think of a time you did something solely for someone else. If you can't think of one, its really time to self reflect. I remember after Hurricane Sandy me and my mom went out to the rockaways and helped sort food and clothing. Bringing things to people in need. Knowing that you did something good is a great feeling. Its uplifting and makes you feel elated. Like floating. That bouncy, floaty, happy feeling. Happy that you made someone else happy.
After reading this book I realized how lucky I was. I have hardly any problems in my life and I can definitely afford to care more about others. I think that having cancer made Hazel value things more in life. Most of what she values is her friends and family so she is caring and kind towards them. She could die at any given time so she preserves small moments. I think everyone should see the world like Hazel. . Know that everything you do has an effect on others and that every second counts so be kind whenever you can.
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