SPEAK

Books My Kids Read

I get asked all the time what my kids are reading. I don't know if it's because I'm a mom of four, because I'm an author, or because our car, house, pool bag, porch, very lives are littered with hardbacks, paperbacks, a Kindle and picture books. But the books we read are truly a reflection of who we are. Since people are curious. I decided to start this tab on my blog to share what my kiddos are reading. But it only helps you, if you understand a little bit about them.

MADDIE - AGE 18, SOCCER OBSESSED GIRL WITH A PET TORTOISE
MAX - AGE 15, BOY WITH MUSIC IN HIS SOUL, SPEED IN HIS FEET AND A PROPENSITY TO BUILD
MALLORY - AGE 13, GIGGLING, GIDDY, GIRL WHO LOVES SOCCER AND STORIES
MAGUIRE - AGE 11, CREATIVE, FREE SPIRITED ACTOR DANCING TO HIS OWN BEAT

SPEAK

8/22/2013

2 Comments

Maddie is reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson for her assigned summer read for freshman English. Speak is disturbing Maddie quite a bit. It is a book about depression. It is a book about date rape. Date rape is something no one wants to talk about. But it is critical that we address this trauma. One out of three women is sexually assaulted by the time she graduates from college. One out of three! It is such an important topic to me that I wrote a novel about date rape last year, It's Complicated. While I was writing It's Complicated, Maddie and I had several chats about date rape. She wondered why I would write about such a horrific topic. I explained how important it is for survivors to find faith and hope to get through this terrible ordeal, to realize they're not alone and that IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. I told Maddie non-victims need to be informed, so they can help victims, so they can be aware, so they can make a difference. Because it frightened Maddie so much, and because this is a topic near and dear to my heart, I read Speak, too. Laurie Halse Anderson does a beautiful job with this novel. Her voice for the victim, high school freshman, Melinda, is so spot on, I felt like I was actually in her head. Anderson nails high school and brings to our attention the silent suffering so many teens experience. I highly recommend this novel. But to who? Maddie said she "hates" it. That's strong, especially from her. She's a great reader and a diligent student. But the content is like a nightmare nagging at her brain. When It's Complicated released I recommended it to 16 year olds on up, due to the content. However several younger teens have shared with me how it helped them with their personal struggles. So, how much do we protect our teens? When is it time to share? When are we ready to read about date rape? Probably never. But when should we? I'd love your input.

2 Comments

Katia link

8/24/2013 12:39:46 pm

SPEAK is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it my eighth-grade year, as my awesome English teacher recommended it to me. I loved how Melinda's voice felt so real and depicted high-school accurately. I loaned the book to my mom afterwards, and she reacted the way a parent would, with concern and making I understood the message.

Date rape, or rape at all, really isn't fun to talk about. Really, who wants to have that conversation? Since so many people are affected by it, and even if they all weren't, we need to know about it. I don't know how to begin that conversation, or who should (parents ideally, but that's not always possible), but everyone needs to be informed. I think young teens should read it. Granted, it's not easy, and some might not have the maturity to handle it, but it would help them realize date-rape's effects and what to do at parties with drinking and that sort of thing. Again, ideally that wouldn't happen, but it does, so they should at least be sort of prepared. Although the story is stark, it's realistic, and in life, our friends and sisters and colleagues, statistically, are going to be raped, most likely by someone they know. Not all will be this young or this isolating, but it does happen.

All right, my extended rant is over now. As you can see, I believe this is an important cause.

I do feel a bit weird speaking (or rather, writing) on this as a fifteen-year-old, but it is something that needs to be talked about.

Laura L. Smith link

8/25/2013 03:12:20 am

Katia,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments. Clearly, I too, believe this is a topic that needs to be talked about (or else I wouldn't have written a book in which one of the main characters experiences the tragedy of date rape). It wasn't a rant at all - just awesome insight. As a writer, it brings me hope that my book, It's Complicated, will address something people need to hear/read/talk about. As a fellow reader, I also looovvveeed Speak. You are very wise for your years, and again, I'm so grateful for your feedback. Blessings to you!

Books My Kids Read

SPEAK

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