Twlilight--general issues and question of worth

[Meghann Lothson]

There's a question I've been curious about since the beginning of the semester concerning everything we have read and have yet to read. Do you guys think there's more to the Twlilight series than meets the eye? What are some popular books that you find are good to bring into the classroom?

I have friends who loved the Twilight books, and I read them to see what the fuss was about. I thought I'd get a surprise, or at least something pretty interesting. Instead, I was met with an underdeveloped storyline, unbelievable characters, and mediocre character development and depth in general. The book was poorly written, and seemed to be trying so hard to be deep and provocative--but it was a miss altogether. Everything that happened was completely unrealistic, and it had nothing to do with the plot about vampires and wolves. A good book will suck you in, tooth and nail, and make you believe anything. Many of my favorite books have fantasy storylines. This was just silly.

I know it is a young adult novel; it meets the criteria pretty well. Parents take a backseat to let their teenage children carry the story. It concerns issues of love and friendship, bravery and taking chances. However, these issues were not explored to the extent or direction that good books are able to. It was about lust, and not about real connection. The friendships were structured and lacked depth and weren't real relationships. Lastly, the bravery and action were frenzied and pointless. Very staged. I felt like saying, "Whoa! Were are we going now? Um, okay...I'll go along." I could feel the book trying to manipulate me into feeling the action--but it wasn't going well. It felt laughable.

The books that we have read work on a much higher level--like the difference between a five-star steak and a burnt hamburger. All of them are different, and we liked some more than others, but all of them work in different ways to get a truly worthy message across. Looking for Alaska, Speak, Make Lemonade, Monster, American Born Chinese, and more. Yes, many of them have swearing, sex, and other controversial issues. However, they possess a worthy depth and substance that I can't describe. They make you feel for the characters and really consider your personal convictions. There's growth involved. There's a good reason for students to be able to read them and talk through the issues involved.

There are some books (like Twilight, in my opinion) that you couldn't have those conversations about because there's nothing to work with. But there are plenty of great books that kids really love that are really worth the read. What books have you guys heard of that you are glad that kids read? How about the Harry Potter series, or even the books that we grew up reading? How about books that you grew up reading, and did they seem like good selections to teach? I'm curious about what everyone thinks about current and past popular teen books.

[Pam Goble]

Meghann,
I read T as soon as I saw so many kids carrying it in school; I, however, did not read the 2nd and 3rd book, although I have them sitting on my floor. I felt very "gray" reading the book; I am sure because of the setting. I had wanted to see what the excitement was, but I was not feeling it. I would agree with you about the integrity of the book, but that is just my opinion. Many love the series.
P

[Heather Olson]

I agree that Twilight lacks depth to make them novels I'd use in my classroom. However, I think they are for pure entertainment, romance novels that YA females will enjoy for that purpose. Personally, I love them and am smitten with Edward but I recognize they are purely entertainment and not at all good literature. The only point I would consider teaching to using as a teaching point is the character of Bella as a female character. She's not a strong female lead character and I'd use her as a character to represent how I WOULDN'T want my girls to be! :)

In regards to Harry Potter, I think there are more teaching points. In fact, I took a graduate course on Harry Potter at Western Michigan University! There's more depth in the storylines between good and evil, more depth in the characters individually and in their relationships and it feels like it's a true coming-of-age tale unlike Twilight.

Books I grew up with include the Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High/University, Boxcar Children and Ramona Quimby. I feel like they are mostly for entertainment purposes, also, but still deeper than Twilight. They have actual positive messages for young adults.

[Meghann Lothson]

That's so fun that you took a class on Harry Potter! Babysitter's Club, Boxcar Children, Sweet Valley...I still have boxes of those books. I agree that they have actual messages for kids to learn from. Of course, reading doesn't always have to be wholesome and educational, but most books are still better than Twilight. You're totally right that Twilight is for entertainment and not for real reading, but I still wish that something more constructive were popular. I didn't mind the Harry Potter craze so much, because it was so much better for kids.
However, I go to work now and see 9-year-olds reading about obsession that has no real basis of love, and completely absent friendships. There are no real friends to be examples of trust or confidence. The characters act purely based on what they feel, and not on what they know is right for them. It seems like that is what leads real people to make all kinds of decisions they really regret. It bothers me to know that kids love a book that literally offers nothing--except flighty entertainment. Oh, well...there will be other book crazes to replace this one, right?

[Rosalind Engerman]

I am not familiar with the Twilight frenzy going on now a days....I have not seen the movies, and for some reason I do not find it appealing. As a YA, I was super obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and went as far as memorizing multitudes of episodes....So one would think that I would like Twilight, but nahh. If I have this opinion about the films and the hype around it all, would I enjoy the GN? Possibly for the illustrations?? I am totally into manga of many sorts, so maybe this would appeal visually to some?

[Christina Abruzzini]

That is funny you should bring up the Twilight series. I actually have read all of the books, and I am a big fan; however, it was not the actual writing that made me like it. I just really enjoyed the storyline, but I am also a fan of stuff like vampires/mystical creatures/etc. I definitely see where you are coming from as the book itself is not the best writing I have ever read. Entertainment has a lot to do with why people read these books I would guess. For me, I loved the romance aspect, along with the vampire characters. Again, the writing is nothing special, but I did enjoy the actual storyline. Funny enough, I almost enjoy the movies more. I am a huge movie buff though, so that could be why I am biased towards the movies. :) A book series like Harry Potter though is definitely an in-depth story that brings up a lot of different themes, as well as, a deeper look into the characters. The writing of Harry Potter is phenomenol! Again, I have only read the first book in that series yet I have seen all of the movies! Meghann, you have brought up some excellent points that I have never thought about before! I think the Twilight series is solely for entertaining purposes because it sucks children into that whole fantasy vampire/human romance that none of us will ever experience.

[Heather Olson]

Two other vampire series that I have really enjoyed that contain significant more depth than Twilight are "House of Night" by P.C. & Kristin Cast and "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead. Everyone I know who even thought Twilight was just ok have liked these two series a lot more. I love Twilight for the romantic Edward and the sexy Jacob but these two series have all of that and so much more. :)