Is there any real benefit to having preteens read most YA books considering the questionable role models?

I'm the mother of 4 daughters (11,13, 16 and 21). They're all avid readers. My oldest read The Mortal Instruments and it still sits on the shelves in her room. I read the first two books. It was not the best young adult writing I've ever read. But I don't consider it damaging to them unless they become obsessed with it. I try to read what my kids are reading. I like knowing what they read and being able to talk about the plots and the characters and wise choices. I started when my oldest was 8 and wanted to read Harry Potter, and I've been doing it ever since. At times, choosing books from the young adult section with the sole purpose of passing them on to my kids. Most of the time, my kids are oblivious to some of the deeper elements I'll pull out of a book, or some of the flaws that I'll point out in a character. They've never become obsessed with a series that contains bad role models so I don't curtail their reading at all. I had no problem with Hunger Games. A few parents I spoke with wouldn't let their 12-15 year old girls read it because of the violence (Same people took them to the midnight premiere of the movie, so take it with a grain of salt). The story is also a bit darker than most YA fare. It's a bit depressing, as most dystopian books are. But there too, my kids read constantly. They don't get obsessed with a book series because they're too anxious to go on to the next one. I don't stop my kids from reading anything. All 4 of my kids have read Stephen King. The 13 year old read Geek Love. My 16 year old read Forever and Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Rather than taking the books away from them, I prefer to let them judge quality for themselves. If there's anything questionable, I read it so we can talk about it. The problem with recommending more books is that we probably don't share the same opinions on what's appropriate. They've enjoyed: Blood Red Road by Moira Young Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness XVI by Julia Carr - this one is about a society where girls become sexually mature at 16 and are marked with a tattoo to advertise their maturity. Definitely read this one with them. Enclave by Ann Aguirre Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell - another good candidate to read together. Divergent by Veronica Roth Your kids are learning something about how to be rude and self-involved every time they leave the house with friends. Every sleepover. Every day at school. It's up to you to make sure they know that that kind of behavior is inappropriate in your home. What better way for them to recognize what's inappropriate than to see it in books? I'm a strong believer in reading them together so that you can point out exactly what's objectionable. They still get to read it, but they also get a few lessons, and before you know it, they're tossing a book aside on their own because the characters are cliches with bad attitudes.

i agree with you for the most part, a lot of what goes on in these books are inappropriate for preteens you've probably already read it, but harry potter is not nearly as inappropriate as the twilight books

i agree with you for the most part, a lot of what goes on in these books are inappropriate for preteens you've probably already read it, but harry potter is not nearly as inappropriate as the twilight books

I don't think Clary from Infernal Devices and Mortal Instruments is that much of a bad model. Although, she is a bit selfish at times but also caring at the same time. Though sometimes I think Clary is a self-insert. Think about the name. This is strictly my opinion. My mom reads all the books I've read. In all honesty, I've read Twilight and I didn't like it. My mom read Twilight, she enjoyed it. I'm not very familiar with most of the books you mentioned. I've read the Hunger Games. My dad read the Hunger Games. We both liked it. If parents blocked off all bad influences to their children, there would be no TV, no books, no internet, nothing. In a way, if your children are mature enough, they should know what's right and wrong. Sometimes, I think preteens enjoy YA books more than the young adults. Seriously. When I was a preteen, I was reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I doubt they set much of a good example for me. When I think about it, I realize that we're living in a pretty messed up world. Some people, especially the new generations are so rude these days. When I pass by the hall and a freshman bumps into me, I expect her to apologize. I'm a senior after all, but these days, they just look and continue as if nothing happened. It's so rude. When I was a freshman, I was so afraid of the seniors, I didn't even go near them! Sometimes, we just have to trust and when the trust is abused, that's when we act. I would suggest Divergent by Veronica Roth but although there is something that can be learned from it about selflessness, bravery, camaraderie, uniqueness and others, there is also something dark about it when she doesn't forgive someone. I would suggest Matilda by Roald Dahl, but I don't think that falls in YA. If your children haven't read Matilda, I think they should. There's also A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. It's definitely inspiring and humorous. I don't know what else to suggest since I should be reading YA but I keep reading children's books. I find them more entertaining and wholesome. I would say that you should also make them read classics because I find that a lot of people these days are uncultured. (I use that word for people who lack knowledge in the classics which are supposed to be timeless.)

Well I assume you just used Mortal Instruments as an example because i read a lot of YA and i know no one else like that heroine. And i never thought there was something wrong with Clary she was always outspoken to me but that's what makes a good heroine, at least shes not a Mary sue. The things a novel should have is a good plot: The Infernal Devices and the mortal instruments both have the same amazing story world, the hunger games has a deep riveting plot that makes you think when you finish reading, and a strong outspoken heroine: the Mortal Instruments has this, though since the Infernal Devices is set in Victorian times the heroine is at most times a very proper young women, and since you judge pretty harshly i'm not sure how you would react to the hunger games heroine though i think she was a perfect heroine. a series you should stay away from is house of night by p.c cast, its heroine is a shallow, slutty, immature teen that like 4 guys cant help fall in love with.

Well I assume you just used Mortal Instruments as an example because i read a lot of YA and i know no one else like that heroine. And i never thought there was something wrong with Clary she was always outspoken to me but that's what makes a good heroine, at least shes not a Mary sue. The things a novel should have is a good plot: The Infernal Devices and the mortal instruments both have the same amazing story world, the hunger games has a deep riveting plot that makes you think when you finish reading, and a strong outspoken heroine: the Mortal Instruments has this, though since the Infernal Devices is set in Victorian times the heroine is at most times a very proper young women, and since you judge pretty harshly i'm not sure how you would react to the hunger games heroine though i think she was a perfect heroine. a series you should stay away from is house of night by p.c cast, its heroine is a shallow, slutty, immature teen that like 4 guys cant help fall in love with.

I don't think Clary from Infernal Devices and Mortal Instruments is that much of a bad model. Although, she is a bit selfish at times but also caring at the same time. Though sometimes I think Clary is a self-insert. Think about the name. This is strictly my opinion. My mom reads all the books I've read. In all honesty, I've read Twilight and I didn't like it. My mom read Twilight, she enjoyed it. I'm not very familiar with most of the books you mentioned. I've read the Hunger Games. My dad read the Hunger Games. We both liked it. If parents blocked off all bad influences to their children, there would be no TV, no books, no internet, nothing. In a way, if your children are mature enough, they should know what's right and wrong. Sometimes, I think preteens enjoy YA books more than the young adults. Seriously. When I was a preteen, I was reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I doubt they set much of a good example for me. When I think about it, I realize that we're living in a pretty messed up world. Some people, especially the new generations are so rude these days. When I pass by the hall and a freshman bumps into me, I expect her to apologize. I'm a senior after all, but these days, they just look and continue as if nothing happened. It's so rude. When I was a freshman, I was so afraid of the seniors, I didn't even go near them! Sometimes, we just have to trust and when the trust is abused, that's when we act. I would suggest Divergent by Veronica Roth but although there is something that can be learned from it about selflessness, bravery, camaraderie, uniqueness and others, there is also something dark about it when she doesn't forgive someone. I would suggest Matilda by Roald Dahl, but I don't think that falls in YA. If your children haven't read Matilda, I think they should. There's also A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. It's definitely inspiring and humorous. I don't know what else to suggest since I should be reading YA but I keep reading children's books. I find them more entertaining and wholesome. I would say that you should also make them read classics because I find that a lot of people these days are uncultured. (I use that word for people who lack knowledge in the classics which are supposed to be timeless.)