Cover: Illustration, J Yang; Design, Elizabeth B Parisi
Books that challenge
In terms of fiction, it seems to me there are two main categories of young people’s reading (or perhaps anyone’s for that matter). Like many such statements, this is of course an oversimplification. The reality is perhaps better represented by a Venn diagram of intersecting circles than two separate columns. Some books will belong in both categories and placement may even depend on the response to a book by a particular reader. Even so, I think it is a helpful way of thinking for the argument I want to make here.
First there are books that primarily provide amusement, entertainment and diversion. I suppose Harry Potter is the epitome here, but I am also thinking of many comedies, exciting adventures, mysteries and fantasies.
Then there are books that not only engage but challenge. This challenge can be in terms of writing style; books that expand young readers’ experience of what a novel can be and do. These can include fiction that is non-linear or told from different perspectives, stories narrated through letters email or social media communications, or ones that use language itself in ways new to the reader. Other challenges can be in terms of ideas, challenging thinking, questioning prejudices and stereotypes, for example, involving young readers with the lives and experiences of others very different to themselves or increasing their awareness and understanding of issues in their own world. Again, of course, some books will do both of these things.
This general distinction is in no way intended to belittle fiction in my first category. There are many instances when amusement, entertainment and diversion, ‘easy reading’, if you like, is exactly what young people need in books. Such books also play a great part in developing young people who not only can read but do, helping establish lifelong habits of reading for pleasure. They can also contribute much to the development of background knowledge, empathy, modelling such virtues as courage and determination and promoting the importance of family and friends. Children must be free to read such books whenever they choose, even if this is very frequently; adults do them a great disservice if they try to censure children because such books are ‘too easy’ ‘too young’, or even (in the case of comics, graphic novels and the like) ‘not proper books’.
Nevertheless, it is books in the second category, ones that challenge as well as entertain, that can make the most difference to the lives of young readers.They are the books that carry the real power and potency of story out into the world - and make a difference to it. They often constitute the most important contributions to the canon of literature for young readers. Of course, they cannot do that if they do not engage as well as challenge, but the best certainly do both. These are the books that children grow with and through, ones which I hope teachers, librarians and others will share enthusiasm for them, encouraging and supporting young readers to find.
I would not wish to pass through this subject without mentioning how delighted I am to see Alan Garner’s Treacle Walker on the Booker Prize shortlist. Not only is major international recognition long overdue for this truly great writer, but Treacle Walker must be close to the apotheosis of a great novel that challenges young readers in just about every way..
Another of the most outstanding contemporary writers of challenging fiction for young readers is an American author, highly reputed in her own country, but not nearly as well known here as she deserves to be. She writes truly remarkable YA fiction as A. S. King, much of which is highly challenging in both style and content. I strongly recommend readers in the age group (or any older readers interested in high quality YA fiction) to try to get hold of her work, perhaps especially recent books Dig and Switch. But be prepared to work hard for huge reward. Her YA work is often described as surreal, with good cause.
However, she also writes MG novels using her full name, Amy Sarig King. As befits the age group, these are slightly less difficult novels stylistically, but no less challenging in terms of their readers’ thinking. Her first two children’s books, Me and Marvin Gardens and The Year We Fell From Space are well worth seeking out. But her latest, Attack of the Black Rectangles, is an enormously powerful and important book, one that I think as many young readers here in the UK should have a chance to read as well as those in The States.
American is good
To a UK readership this author’s books feel very American. (Although she can hardly be criticised for that, since she is American!) Hovever, as I have said before on this blog, I think many children here have now seen so many US films, TV programmes and videos that they have at least a degree of familiarity with cultural differences, the different school system, and the like. Beyond this, specific unknown references in terms of vocabulary are easy and quick to look up. In any case, I think it is highly beneficial for our children to become aware of such a major western culture and its differences to ours (as well, of course, as its very many similarities). I therefore see the ‘American-ness’ of books published in the US not as a barrier but as a positive incentive for them to find young readers in the UK. The USA is home to some brilliant children’s authors and it is a tragedy if our children miss out on their work.
Allowed to read (or not)
As its cover suggest Attack of the Black Rectangles is primarily about the censorship and banning of books. In particular, it it highlights instances of an, often small, number of adults denying children access to material that they think may ‘give young people the wrong ideas’, generally ideas with which the adults disagree with, or with which they patronisingly think the children cannot cope. Specifically here, protagonist Mac and a group of friends take issue with their teacher, school and ultimately district school board over passages that have been blacked out in the book they have chosen for their reading assignment.
Now it may be that the censoring and banning of books is currently a larger issue in some areas of the USA that it is here, but it is a serious concern in some quarters here too, and one that we should not be prepared to overlook. What some children are allowed or not allowed to read, or simply not given the opportunity to read, needs far more careful consideration. If novels like this help to open up the debate, and allow children’s own voices into it too, then that is a very good thing.
Telling the truth
There are other related themes in this book too. Primarily, the way history has and is being distorted, not told or taught truthfully. Specific American issues in the book concern the inappropriateness of some of their big commemorative days, in the light of such realities as almost three quarters of the ‘Founding Fathers’ owning slaves, and the white colonisation of North America involving slaughter and abominable treatment of indigenous tribes. However, there are more than enough similar British issues, both involvement in the slave trade and the many wrongs of colonialism, for the concerns to be equally applicable here. And although there have recently been some valuable steps forward in the growing appreciation of areas such as Black History, there are still far too many instances where reactionary attitudes abound. The cause of fair and truthful teaching of history to children still has a long way to go..
Throughout this richly themed book, also runs a more personal plea for honesty and truth, this time in relationship to the breakup of Mac’s family. As the narrative develops he comes to realise that he is ultimately better knowing the truth that his father has has left for good, rather than maintaining the delusion that their relationship has a future. All of this is quite brilliantly captured through this author’s skilful storytelling, in scenes where Mac and his father take trips through space, the illusory nature of which he only gradually accepts.
Ultimately, however, the novel’s thematic strands weave together into into one: the importance of openness and honesty, of telling the truth to children. However, whilst taking a clear stand on the rights and wrongs of issues, this author is at pains to make clear that people themselves are rarely all good or all bad; this only adds to the integrity of a wonderful novel. Amy Sarig King ends her story with a resolution that is encouraging and positive, without being in any way unrealistic or sentimental. She is a writer of deep humanity and acute social conscience.
Uniting not dividing
The real life issues raised in this truly challenging novel are undoubtedly difficult to handle and even harder to get right. Often, there is a fine line to be negotiated. Clearly, adults do have a responsibility to protect children from material that is seriously harmful. However children’s books from legitimate publishers are unlikely, if at all, to harm or corrupt, even where adults disapprove of the characters portrayed, the themes explored or the vocabulary used. Books help children learn about themselves and their world - but only if they have the opportunity to read them. They bring us together - but only if we have the opportunity to share them. Amy Sarig King’s fine novel makes a very important point: children can understand and cope with with a great deal more than some adults give them credit for; telling them the truth about their own lives and the world in which they live is often far less harmful in the long run than hiding that truth in the name of protecting them. Children need the truth. They need books.
Over and above being a very engaging and often amusing read (which it certainly is), Attack of the Black Rectangles is a powerfully significant book, with crucial messages for today’s world. It needs to be read by many young readers, and probably some adults too. I hope teachers, librarians and others will gently guide young readers towards such novels and, if necessary, help to access them. And a plea to UK publishers. This author’s books, and perhaps this one in particular, desperately need to be published over here. To presume its American context, or indeed its challenging subject matter,
is a barrier would be to patronise children and keep them from the truth in exactly the way the book so passionately and convincingly warns against.
