Love that quote. :) I'm always amazed that parents seem to be so out of touch with what goes on in their children's daily activities. IMO, your books are true to what the kids are going through. If the parents are indeed either in denial or trying to keep their kids insulated from real life, then these are the very kids that need to be reading your books! And honestly, by attempting to keep them from reading the books, they're probably just driving the kids to want to read them even more. These parents should take the opportunity to use your books as a means of opening up discussions on topics that are sensitive. Way back when, the same type of thing happened with Forever by Judy Blume, so consider yourself in good company. I had great parents who let me read anything I wanted to, and I bought Forever. Then many of my classmates borrowed my copy and read it at school because their parents wouldn't let them read it. {{Hugs}}

Oh, Lauren. I am so sorry. I am depressed as well. I don't understand this ignorance. I recently had a parent demand that my book be removed from a high school because she insisted it was "soft porn." It hurts. I really love that Chris Crutcher quote and I've been reading it quite a lot lately.

What do we do?

XOXO

I love how the author gets all the "blame," never the publisher. (Not that either should be yelled at for writing a freakin' book!)

I just recently noticed that both copies of KISSING KATE that were in my library (I'm a YA Librarian) have been "checked out" for years. This means either that a) a reader loved them so much they didn't want to give them back, or b) someone found it inappropriate and decided that we shouldn't have them back..... SIGH!!!!

Don't worry -- you don't want these nasty letter writers reading your COOL stuff anyway!

You are in terrific company when folks attack your books. Just think about Crutcher and Cormier and Blume and the others who are consistently on the Banned Books lists. As for this parent, my kids are free to read anything. I generally have read them before and so am prepared to talk about content if they have questions (and they generally do not). Since when are books so dangerous that folks worry kids will do something dangerous because they read about it (like kiss a boy, YIKES).

Chin up, girl. For every censor, there are hundreds of kids and adults reading the books and loving them.

Do join NCAC and other anti-censorship organizations or make a donation to the ACLU or something else that would *&%$ these folks off.

teri

Quote the First Amendment and Pico, as well. And I'm not saying *you* should, but I would consider it *my* civic duty to include the email address for a crazed censor so that people who disagreed with her would have a chance at healthy, public dialog.

Oh, ick, I'm so sorry. I have no idea what people like that are thinking, and it consistently amazes me that someone who would never go up to a total stranger and slap them feel free to send/post such rants.

You're telling the truth, (as Stephen King would say) and these women are people who want to believe the world is better and safer for their children then it is. Parents do a lot of things out of fear for their kids. It doesn't excuse them, but at least you know it's not solely directed at you. If it wasn't about your books it would be about something else.

(I tried to find Bliss in the library, but it's checked out. When I do find it, I plan to read it.

Take heart.

*joins in the group hug*

I'm sorry about all this - such a shame that you have to receive these emails/letters. I'm glad you remain calm and polite in your replies. I love that quote from CC, too. Keep doing what you do, Lauren.

So sorry you are getting all this toxic mail, sweetie.
These people are closing themselves off to talking with their teenagers about important issues by censoring their reading instead of sharing it and having conversations about it!

i send u hugs and kissies lauren i'm sorry people are insulting your books like that. but haven't those parents read all those articles they put in parents books or wutever that girls are growing up fast, i think it's fine that you write books like this they actually give young girls a warning about what goes on in real life and that way they know instead of being idiots and doing wutever they want until they find out the hard way.

*joins in group hug* Lauren, that totally sucks! Your books rock, and really, it's the parents' fault for freaking out for no reason and for not even looking at a book before letting their child read it. If you plan to monitor what your child is reading, don't do it after the fact and blame the author. That's just so stupid.

Anyway, we all love you, and I enjoyed reading what you changed the parents' names too when ending the letters, hehe (i.e. Bad Speller)

Okay, this really made me snicker: and I can assure you that my children dont' 'hear NOR see this'...unless of course they are discussing books like these!!!

REALLY? No, REALLY? She thinks her kids do not hear other kids saying "WTF?" or referencing drinking or kissing, etc?

1) "I expect these books to be placed in another section..." If these parent is so sure that her child is not ready for these subjects, then that parent should be giving her books from the JUVENILE section-- like The Boxcar children or nancy drew or the saddle club-- and not the young adult section, where I am sure TTYL is stocked, right next to Gossip Girl, The Book Thief, Dairy Queen, any number of YA titles.

2)How is is it socially responsible to avoid tough topics all together? For that matter, why should another parent decide what MY child should or shouldn't be reading? Why is it not enough to simply help your OWN daughter choose books? Doesn't this imply that YOU are somehow smarter htan ME, and thus YOU should have power over MY choices on parenting?

3)While you were looking for quotes to excerpt, did you perhaps read through to the end to see the outcome of these situations? Did you not notice that these girls learned that they'd made mistakes, and that they knew to avoid situations like they'd put themselves in?

Man, do your letters look familiar. I work as Chris Crutcher's assistant so I've seen the same kind of letters flow through his email box to be saved and registered with the ALA's Freedom to Read Foundation through mine. It is frustrating to know that some parents opt for the blindfold when it comes to stewarding their kids. But I hope you'll pat yourself on the back.

Some of those kids find your books because they have no one to ASK about the issues their parents are afraid to acknowledge, much less talk about. If you didn't risk telling them the truth, who would?

When I read those letters to you, I see them the way I see the letters to Chris -- as proof you're authentic in your representation of tweens and teens. I see them as evidence you're giving dangerously sheltered readers a safe place to explore the things they are developmentally curious about.

Those fearful parents will always squawk -- they fear losing control, which happens naturally, with or without your books, something they clearly don't understand. Easier to blame YOU than to accept their kids are growing up. But that's their issue to deal with. And before you get too depressed, the odds are good you got a rash of similar letters because members of a conservative church group alerted one another to your "bad" books. That happesn at Camp Crutcher on a regular basis.

But you are a beacon of hope for those kids, an adult who won't baby them when what they need is help navigating all the changes they're facing. It's hard to be a young person, especially one that can't talk to her parents. Your books make things a little bit easier for them.

Remember that when you feel depressed, if you can. And give yourself a pat on the back.

Best always,

Kelly Halls

1. These parents obviuolsy never went to junior high school, or high school. Worse things were happening when I was twelve, and I'm glad I had books like yours becuase they EXPLAIN things.
2. I love Chris Crutcher.

I actually feel bad for the people who find ttyl offensive. These letters are clearly the rants of some psychologically disturbed parents who don't know how to talk to their children about anything. Instead, they'd rather shove it all under the bed until their kids learn on their own. Tsk. Tsk.

Rock on, Myracle!

Sorry you're getting such un-lovely email lately. I really don't believe these kids are as sheltered when they're at school and with friends as the parents want to believe.

I love Chris Crutcher's quote.

Don't let these bullies get to you. They've forgotten what it's like to be pre-teens and teens and they're afraid to admit their children are growing up and do already know about or are at least curious about the things in your books.

*big group hug*

Lauren, if it makes you feel better, I LOVE your books. I'm also glad I've got a cool mam who loves you, too. Besides, from the looks of your emails, these parents probably haven't read the whole book, not even the one who quoted so many times. I find it sad that they are so intent on finding evil in your books (and I can assure you, there is none) that they fail to see the wonderful messages of friendship. Lauren, PLEASE don't let these uncool parents get ya down! Just remember what you said: "Why do I bother? Then I remember: Because of y'all." Thanks. So true. Keep writing, and remember that your books are NOT rubbish!



~~~GMOI~~~

omg i totally agree w/ u! these issues DO come up, and its best to be talked about in books, one-on-one w/ parents, all that stuff. ur books rnt a bad influence! in ttfn w/ doug and zoe didnt zoe decide she wasnt ready for "it" yet? and maddie w/ the topless shirt? THEY ALL LEARNED SOMETHING FROM IT! THAT'S THE POINT OF IT RITE? im reading l8r g8r AWESOME job so far. ;)

Hi, Lauren. That makes ME sad, why would parents hide this stuff from thier kids? Do they NOT think that subjects like this will come along in life? What about when your children go to high school? Or college?

Parents can't act like stuff like cursing, sex, tampons, and perverts don't exist! That stuff does exist! It DOES! Kids see worse stuff at school, or on TV than they do in your books.

BUT, I will admit that nine year olds shouldn't read ttyl, but ten year olds should be allowed to read Eleven.

Your books don't "rob children of their innocence" they TEACH children. The reader may have had questions about puberty or boys. Or kissing. The reader might have wanted to ask her mother, but was too afraid! If her mother blew up like that at an AUTHOR, what would she say to her DAUGHTER? Would she yell at her? Would she yell at all her frinds incase they talked about that stuff?

Your books open doors for girls to have conversations with their parenst. They can ask about stuff like periods, and boys. I am so glad that there are authors like you, Sarah, and E to help girls whos parents seem unapproachable. Thank You.

Whoa. That was a very long, and very adult-like post. But its all true. Don't worry, we all love you, Lauren!!

Jen

um wow. lauren, u have NO IDEA how mad these nasty emails make me!! it just pisses me off so much how these idiotic parents can get so worked up over a BOOK! I mean really. If you don't want your kid to read it (but there is no reason why they shouldn't!) then the parent should just take it away and tell them to choose a different book and maybe not look in the YA section of the library. There. End of story.
But no, old stupid ppl have to go and make it so much more complicated. its just so friggin FRUSTRATING!!! how can ppl b so rude?? ugh, if you don't want your child to read it and have them be in a protective parent bubble forever, THEN DON'T HAVE YOUR KID READ IT!!! I mean c'mon. why do they have to go so far as to right u a very rude and inconsiderate email?? it's just ridiculous!!!!!

ok, ok, *breathe in, breath out* sorry about all of my venting on and on about these stupid elders who think they know everything about life (which they DON'T!!). But your books are so simply AMAZING and so true 2 real life. Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen have helped me through so many tough times. Winnie is seriously my hero!!! I <3 the internet girls series too. HILARIOUS!! its so sad how ppl just see right through such good stuff.
Don't listen to haters. They are just tiny microscopic dust specks in this awesome world of fantabulous-ness!!
YAY 4 LAUREN FOR BEING SO AWESOME!!!

hugs <3's forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Lauren,

I read all your emails and maybe some input from a teen would help:

The sad and horrible truth is, the world is far more corrupt than our parents wish it was. Than anyone wishes it was, actually. There are drugs and underage sex and drinking and cuss words and horny teachers and the truth is, your TTYL series is the only series that fully addresses them all. Kids DO go through these things... at least at public high schools. I went to a private school for 7 years and transferred to a public high school this year and already I am surrounded by an environment that is not ideal in my parents eyes at all. But they don't have to worry--unlike Maddie, Zoe, and Angela (who I still adore to death), I am above falling into those trends. I'm there to pursue my dreams and rise above all my hardships in life, especially my current situation at hand. (My brother, aka my best friend, is battling cancer for the 3rd time--he's had it since I was 11)

If these parents want to shelter their kids while they're 10, 11, 12, maybe even 13, then yeah, they can go ahead. Let them set their limits, it's their job. But you are telling the story of the true high school experience, where people fall under the influence of both drugs and peer pressure. High school is as real as it gets and you are one of the few adults who recognizes that--kids can only be sheltered for so long.

If there was anything to be done about your books, I would say raise the minimum age to 14 and up, or maybe even 15 for some books. That way, parents will be warned--this book is for more mature audiences and may contain a little something we like to call the real world.

Stay strong, Lauren, and keep telling your stories. You can always trust that I, among many other girls (and even guys!), will forever stand behind you.

All my love and support,
Emily Rose (the Emily of your last bloggie with Johnny Depp =D)

Holy crap! I just realized this situation is like TTYL, soty of. Remember when (I don't have TTYL, so I can't quote from a page) all that bad stuff happened, but it was around this time of year, cuz on Halloween Jana did the meanest thing to Jana, I don't remember if Angela had been dumped YET . . . but Zoe probably was already having problems with Mr. H. By the way, what does "H" stand for? Does it stand for horny? And then again in TTFN they mentioned this, "All hell broke out around the end of October and near Thanksgiving."

And well, hell IS breaking out. Lauren with her nasty, mean, untrue, completely FALSE, lying McLying, letters, that girl Hailey with her boyfriend, that girl Emily with her brother, I'm relly sorry 'bout that Em, just believe in hope. And some more bad stuff is me ith orthodontist problems, and that friends are stopping being friends cuz of this stupid eleection! My BFF and my othrr BFF have stopped TALKING TO EACH OTHER! Cuz one is for Obama and the other is for McCain.

Anyway, lets just hope everyhting will get better!!!

Nat

firsst i think they have no clue what goes on in a preteen/teen life. their kids hear about this stuff evey day whether they like it or not. ur books tell the truth and some people wont except it.im 12 about to turn 13 and i find the reality in ur books so riviting and relatable . dont CARE what those snooty head booty nastys say just know of most of ur fans love ur books even the ones of the snooty booty nastys.....
ur fan 4 evr
Alex

the only way kids don't hear about all this stuff is if they either
1-don't know ANYBODY besides their mom, dad, and siblings
2-live in a hole where society doesn't exist

everything you say in your books is taught in a health classroom in high school or is said in sex jokes or is talked about among their peers

also, i've read books that had SO much worse content and they have become movies that are rated PG-13 which is WAY different than R. if a ten-year-old has never heard of a drinking party, their parents have deprived them of a social life where kids are able to gossip about all of this.

hi laurn my name is kira. im 11 years old and i just got done reading your book thirteen about winnie turning thirteen. i dont know why parents are leaving nasty commenets about your book becuz there faboulus! well you book may says some fun ny and nasty things that people call inapropite but thts the way of life. so they should not be crititize you becuse at least you have enough courage to write books and follow your dreams unlike these judging people. i know you take alot of time to write these books and they come out awesome! so dont care what these people say becuz there saying tht becuz they dont have a life but no matter what they say just know im ur # 1 fan. also plz make a forteen becuz i love thirteen i still ahve 2 read twelve and eleven but they didnt have it im my public library. but im your # one fan always♥

Wow,
That isn't right, first of all, I'm a "young-adult", and I have read your books. My friends and I are all big fans of your books, and we have enough maturity to read them and not go crazy. So why is it that adults read young adult books and go on a rant about how it is "too mature for the age group" if a kid has enough maturity to read a book like that, how come most adults don't? That's outrageous! Keep writing Lauren, your awesome (and so are your books)