Darker Times : YA Fiction Mirroring Reality?

Over the past several years, there has been a wave of Young Adult titles that have had darker plots. Many of these titles have become favorites among teens, and may quite possibly stand the test of time becoming classics in their own rights. A classic YA title, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, is probably one of the first novels for teens that explored gangs, loyalty and death in a profound manner. Teens gravitated to the characters not because they knew someone just like PonyBoy but because their authentic voices touched a nerve. Which ultimately led teens to not only explore "real" issues but to discuss them with each other. The book was written in 1967, a very turbulent time socially for America. Today's economic and social times are troublesome in their own way. Yet instead of one book that stands out as the voice of the dark side, there are several that are getting teens to talk about tough life issues. Is it a sign of the times? Or is it just a fad that YA authors and publishers are going through?

The Hunger Games Trilogy brings to life a kill-or-be-killed reality show. Throughout the trilogy, Katniss comes to realize that she and her fellow citizens of District 13 are nothing more than pawns in a political game of power and control. The citizens have lost power and control while government officials, even those who seem to be ideal, manipulate power for their own gains. Its a frightening look at how a government can become so powerful that survival comes down to a daily quest between life and death. The response from most teens who have read this trilogy is that Katniss is so real for them, yet they wonder if they could possess the same nerves of steel to survive.

James Patterson's Series Maximum Ride offers readers a world where a gang of teens who are 98% human and 2% bird, escape from the lab called "School" to make it on their own. Unfortunately, The Erasers, FBI and the entire world seems bent on tracking them down and destroying them. The appeal of the book is that Max and her friends continually escape from their enemies and find their way to freedom.

In yet another series, Books of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau, young characters deal with darkness and secrecy on a day to day basis. Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet have recently been assigned eye-opening jobs in the City of Ember. Doon is assigned as a pipeworker. Lina is a messenger. As Doon repairs the plumbing in the tunnels under the city, Lina learns of some unsettling secrets. Together they piece together the puzzle of what lies above them. The key theme that continues on through the tale is survival and trust. The teens are resilient and independent, perhaps the two "worst" qualities in the eyes of The Builders. Yet it is their resilient nature that takes them out of the darkness, which ultimately saves them.

In each of these series, the tone is the same. There is distrust, secrecy and the realization that in order to survive even the toughest situations it is better to trust gut instincts than to hope that those in "charge" have the best intentions. Which begs the question: Are teen readers looking for these tales because it's an escape or for something that helps them cope with today's reality? The political news of the day is filled with uncertainty. Healthcare, unemployment, taxes and foreclosures are just a few of the issues that teens are facing in their own neighborhoods and homes. Is it any wonder that titles that depict government control, secrecy and escape to a "worse off" place have become so popular. Literature has often painted a picture of the good and bad in society. It demands of the reader to ask questions and seek better solutions. In the dystopian and post-apocalyptic worlds, the less than ideal settings provide a glimpse at what may lie ahead for our society. Teens gravitate towards these stories not because they see themselves living in these worlds. Rather, it's a testimony to how the human spirit survives in spite of the obstacles placed before them. In a strange way, these dark novels may offer hope that survival is not only a valid option but the only option for the young citizens of dystopian worlds.

One other point to consider when looking at the "darker" plots. Dystopian plots are often involved with conspiracy and secrecy. The protagonists are often seeking truth and coming to terms with how those truths shape their worlds. In their own lives, teens often feel sheltered from the truth and complex issues. In these novels, the teens not only demand the truth, they get what they desire, the truth. Teens don't want to be treated as if they can't handle complex issues, rather they are looking for ways to learn how to face the challenge. These novels do just that and more. They can open the channels of communication in which teens can discuss issues that are important to them.

Building Grassroots Support for Libraries.

Another library will be closing their doors in Southeast Michigan. This is cutting to close to home. Way to close. To top it all off, Governor Snyder's recent release of budget cuts will basically leave more libraries hanging by a thin thread for dear life. The words "unsustainable" comes to mind quite often when listening to the litany of cuts aimed at libraries. While understanding that our country is experiencing economic turmoil and sacrifices must be made, it seems that all too often the library is the one who bleeds the most in local, state and national cuts. Before it is too late, and another library is lost. Leaders from every type of library across the United States, should stand firm against the cuts and fight like mad to save libraries. In this economic environment, no library is safe. Not even yours.

Fellow colleagues have commented to me that they believe that this is the end of librarianship. The future for libraries is dark at the moment, granted, however, it is not the end. It's merely a new chapter. While this "chapter" in the history of libraries will not be a very happy one, there is an opportunity for some positive outcomes that librarians can learn from in the years ahead. Pardon me if I sound as if I'm repeating myself from my earlier blogs, but I believe some things must be repeated and repeated often.

As a profession, I think now is the time to start singing our praises about libraries in general to the public we serve. More often than not, librarians will talk among themselves about how horrible it is to see libraries close or cut hours. Attending conferences that teach librarians on how to be advocates is a wonderful place to start, but let's face it those who attend the advocacy conferences are preaching to their kin. We'll consider that a practice session. It's time to go out into the world and do the "hard" sell.

Recently a patron boldly asked me why should libraries be paid for by tax dollars? The library services are not as important as the fire or police departments. Before going into the spiel of everything the library had to offer, I tried an easier approach. We can agree that every community needs a police department to protect them from crimes. We can also agree that every community needs a fire station to protect families from fires. Libraries are needed in every community to protect access to information. When put into that context most patrons will be satisfied with that response. If the counter argument is made that the internet has replaced the library, all one needs to do is point to the statistics that demonstrate that communities are using their libraries now more than ever. It's not hype, it's fact.

Every moment that librarians are given to be in the public eye should be shrewdly taken advantage of in the way of cheap marketing. Everywhere, every minute and to every person, libraries and their benefits in society should be promoted. Talk isn't cheap when it is associated with action. Going out into the community is a huge step towards reminding people that libraries build and sustain communities. Perhaps this is a Pollyanna dream to believe that librarians could build a grassroots support for libraries within every American Community. I don't believe so. There are many librarians who are coming to realize that we can not really solely on our professional associations to protect our libraries. Librarians have got to build it themselves, one citizen at a time. What did Costner say in Field of Dreams, "If we build it, they will come." Well? It can be done. Is anyone willing to help begin the grassroots movement to save libraries? Here's hoping there are at least a few yeses. If there is not, we're doomed.