Final Update--If you have found What's In It Useful
7/21/23 -- Over the past few months I have left this website untouched. For reasons I explain in the post below, I have stopped reviewing books but have kept the website live for parents who might find the reviews helpful. Because of changes to Weebly, I have decided to move my main site, Once Upon a Pen, to another platform and close down What's In It. I will be moving some parts of this website to a special section on my new platform, but most material will disappear. This will likely happen by September 2023. I will post my new website when it is live.
If you find these reviews (or anything on the site) useful and want to keep or share them with others, you are welcome to print or copy them for use elsewhere. Ever since starting this website many years ago (I can't even remember when!), my mission has always been to expose the YA book industry for what it has become and to help parents guide their children to edifying literary entertainment. There is no need to request permission to print or use these reviews elsewhere, but I would appreciate credit to What's In It? if you do share the reviews with others. I have personally reviewed most of the books, but many people have contributed reviews over the years, and to them I am deeply grateful!
--Cheri Blomquist
If you find these reviews (or anything on the site) useful and want to keep or share them with others, you are welcome to print or copy them for use elsewhere. Ever since starting this website many years ago (I can't even remember when!), my mission has always been to expose the YA book industry for what it has become and to help parents guide their children to edifying literary entertainment. There is no need to request permission to print or use these reviews elsewhere, but I would appreciate credit to What's In It? if you do share the reviews with others. I have personally reviewed most of the books, but many people have contributed reviews over the years, and to them I am deeply grateful!
--Cheri Blomquist
Why I Can No Longer Review YA Books
As you will see below, my most recent review is for The Ivies. I have read many, many YA novels over the years, some beautiful and worthy of becoming classics someday and others -- far too many -- dark and disturbing. The Ivies is one of the most depraved of the lot, and I realized with this book that I cannot continue reading in this genre. I too often feel sick, disgusted, spiritually compromised, and horrified by what passes for appropriate YA entertainment with modern publishers. Most parents have no idea what their teens are reading, and if they happen to look at the jackets, they most likely shrug and hand it back.
But the jackets seldom adequately indicate what's really inside, and parents tend to assume that anything published for teens must be age-appropriate. I cannot state emphatically enough that this is not true. Many YA novels today are full of sex, drinking, swearing, and other blatantly immoral behavior that is normalized with few consequences. Most novels do not directly denigrate Judeo-Christian faiths, but some do, and many openly flout or dismiss traditional moral and family values. While you may observe that this website only reviews a fraction of the books that have been published over the past decade, please note that I have taken care to choose a variety of books in a every genre and have given each book an equal chance to prove its worth. Therefore, this fraction is probably a good representation of the whole.
If you are a concerned parent with impressionable teens who love to read, please do not take YA literature lightly--or even middle grade literature anymore, for that industry has changed, too. The children's book industry as a whole does not serve parent interests and preferences whatsoever. It serves its bottom line, and that is all. Also, most YA authors write for one of three reasons: 1) to express themselves artistically, 2) to promote or affirm ideas or 3) to earn monetary income. None of these reasons is inherently bad, but the published results make it plain that the least of their concerns is parental approval, especially parents who are trying to instill traditional values.
Sometimes, publishers and authors manage to come together to produce truly wonderful literature worthy of discussion and multiple readings, but more often than not, they offer your teens stories you would never believe they'd dare to publish until you read them for yourself. Don't be fooled by awards and reviews. Screen books carefully, don't throw out the gems with the trash, and if you need help with discernment, please contact me for help. I will review any books upon request until I decide to remove this website. Please email me at crblomquist@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support over the years!
But the jackets seldom adequately indicate what's really inside, and parents tend to assume that anything published for teens must be age-appropriate. I cannot state emphatically enough that this is not true. Many YA novels today are full of sex, drinking, swearing, and other blatantly immoral behavior that is normalized with few consequences. Most novels do not directly denigrate Judeo-Christian faiths, but some do, and many openly flout or dismiss traditional moral and family values. While you may observe that this website only reviews a fraction of the books that have been published over the past decade, please note that I have taken care to choose a variety of books in a every genre and have given each book an equal chance to prove its worth. Therefore, this fraction is probably a good representation of the whole.
If you are a concerned parent with impressionable teens who love to read, please do not take YA literature lightly--or even middle grade literature anymore, for that industry has changed, too. The children's book industry as a whole does not serve parent interests and preferences whatsoever. It serves its bottom line, and that is all. Also, most YA authors write for one of three reasons: 1) to express themselves artistically, 2) to promote or affirm ideas or 3) to earn monetary income. None of these reasons is inherently bad, but the published results make it plain that the least of their concerns is parental approval, especially parents who are trying to instill traditional values.
Sometimes, publishers and authors manage to come together to produce truly wonderful literature worthy of discussion and multiple readings, but more often than not, they offer your teens stories you would never believe they'd dare to publish until you read them for yourself. Don't be fooled by awards and reviews. Screen books carefully, don't throw out the gems with the trash, and if you need help with discernment, please contact me for help. I will review any books upon request until I decide to remove this website. Please email me at crblomquist@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support over the years!
Welcome! I'm glad you stopped by...
What's In It?: The Concerned Parent's Guide to Young Adult Literature is a unique resource of nearly 300 reviews (and counting!) for anyone concerned about the entertainment being marketed to our teens today. If you find it helpful or if you have suggestions for ways to improve the guide, please take a moment to send me your comments.
On this website you will find no advertising, and you may peruse the reviews at no cost. This is a service I provide for the purpose of promoting transparency to parents of the spiritually dark and morally corrupt YA book industry. Because there are still wonderful books being written and teen readers who need literature that speaks to them, I seek to provide a way for concerned parents to help their teens find good books that speak to their generation.
If you would like a specific book reviewed, please contact me through my "Cheri's Corner" page. If you would like to help me in this venture, so that I can offer more reviews, please visit the "How You Can Help" page.
On this website you will find no advertising, and you may peruse the reviews at no cost. This is a service I provide for the purpose of promoting transparency to parents of the spiritually dark and morally corrupt YA book industry. Because there are still wonderful books being written and teen readers who need literature that speaks to them, I seek to provide a way for concerned parents to help their teens find good books that speak to their generation.
If you would like a specific book reviewed, please contact me through my "Cheri's Corner" page. If you would like to help me in this venture, so that I can offer more reviews, please visit the "How You Can Help" page.
How Books are Selected for Review
Although I can review only a tiny fraction of this huge market and can no longer review as many books as I used to, I try to read a wide variety of genres, except for religious literature (since they aren't generally concerning). I also try to choose a variety of books in terms of racial and cultural diversity, as well as books with both male and female protagonists. In the past couple of years, I have ventured more into middle-grade territory, as well, because many of these books are mature and complex enough to appeal to younger teens. Finally, due to their spiritual effect on me, I have recently become more careful to choose books that celebrate light and hope more than the darkness that has become so trendy in recent years.
Check out these new titles!Click for a quick search of the most recent reviews.
The Ivies The Secret of Nightingale Wood The Fountains of Silence Making Bombs for Hitler Wolf Hollow Dear Haiti, Love Alaine Pride and Premeditation The Inheritance Games Slay Greenglass House Calling all readers!What's In It? is in constant need of books reviews and feedback in order to make this resource as useful as possible. Please visit the "How You Can Help" page to learn more.
Why two review formats?As of June 2015, my review format has changed to an essay style. Though the new format will lack the precise detail of the old one, it helps streamline the review process significantly.
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YA GEM OF THE MOMENT:
The Secret of Nightingale Wood,
by Lucy Strange For younger readers, this is a beautifully written novel of magical realism reminiscent of mysterious English classics like Tom's Midnight Garden. Does your teen need writing help? The Denim Beret Writing Program is an online program that seeks to serve the needs of teens and preteens who are ready to master the art of non-fiction writing. I offer both structured lessons and project-based mentoring for both homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers. I also offer grammar and basic literature instruction. Please browse my website for more information!
http://www.onceuponapen.studio/ |
