Non Fiction Critical Analysis

  In, "Why the Best Kids Books are Written in Blood," by Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, wants to elaborate why YA books are having much more gruesome content for the past 40 years and how these books are not "traumatizing" towards teens, but helpful, entertaining, and even educational. Sherman uses teens themselves to support his statement of how YA books are not damaging teens, nor scaring them into thinking life as a bad, disturbing, and very frightening. Sherman also counters Megan Cox's claim in the article, "Darkness to Visible," and address's how Ms.Cox's argument is not sufficient enough and its mainly based on opinions and generalizes the situation.
  Sherman Alexie tries to persuade people to believe that YA books have gruesome content, but for a good cause. He mentions a boy who's father works at the military and wants his son to take his place. However the boy said, "I want to be a writer... I don't want to be like my father... I want to be myself. Just like in your book." He then explains how this moment was shocking and interesting because of how YA fiction would cause someone to read and write and not risk their lives at war. In addition to that, Sherman references teens at a ceremony who were impressed and inspired by his novel, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and mentions the fact that some of these teens that have experienced "domestic violence, drug abuse, racism, poverty, sexuality, and murder" which were topics within Sherman's book. As mentioned earlier, Sherman Alexie counters Megan Cox's argument of why YA fiction should be banned, and states how topic within YA fiction would actually "scare" a reader when instead teens read YA books for entertainment and education, which sums up his argument of why YA books have gruesome content, but for a good cause.
  In my opinion, YA books are not as bad as people think they are. The point of YA books or books in general, is to entertain people. We choose to read these books because we are interested of the plots, characters, etc. People overreact to what they think, but never think about others and how banning these books will only hurt them. Honestly, it irritates me when people, like Megan Cox, exaggerate and just generalize the situation without giving any much thought about it. In addition, why would we want to ban books that have earned many awards, like this is just wrong to people, but mainly the authors who wrote these amazing books. If there is an issue, then that is your issue, why would you want to spread your hate to people that love these books. All in all, YA books should not be banned in several places, and I can understand why some of these books have gruesome content, and its for educational and entertainment purposes.