New Young Adult Novel Sparks Controversy
A recently published young adult novel is gaining attention among American teens. It offers a mix of mystery, romance, and fantasy, complete with unexpected plot twists. Sounds intriguing, right? Well, not everyone thinks so.
Some critics, including Allie Beth Stuckey, claim it’s akin to what they call “satanic porn.”
In a recent episode of “Relatable,” Stuckey, along with Anne Say from “Library 4 Kidos,” delves into the unsettling aspects of Melissa de la Cruz’s book, “Sibyl.” They express concerns about the themes present in this genre of literature and caution parents.
Shortly after its release this year, “Sibyl” found its way onto the New York Times bestseller list and was even selected as a February pick by the “Good Morning America” YA Book Club.
This surprised both Stuckey and Say, especially given the book’s explicit and dark passages.
Say points out, “Originally, this book was aimed at 12- to 17-year-olds, which is concerning. It dives deep into magic and the occult, featuring seances and even necromancy.”
She further describes a particularly troubling scene on page 284 involving a graphic depiction of a threesome, where one of the participants is believed to be dead, raising serious ethical questions.
Stuckey is straightforward in her critique. “We want to highlight what’s really going on here. This isn’t just behind closed doors,” she remarks, elaborating on the explicit details presented in the novel.
Say, who champions wholesome young adult literature, shares her dismay: “I’m over 18, and yet I’m shocked,” expressing that this type of content is glorified.
Research from HarperCollins UK indicates that a vast majority—about 74%—of young adult readers are actually adults, with 28% being over the age of 28. Publishers are aware of this trend. Even if the main characters in YA novels are typically teens, the material is often crafted for a more mature audience.
This can confuse parents, especially when authors like De la Cruz also write age-appropriate stories for younger readers, such as her middle-grade novels, including the “Alex & Eliza” series that reimagines the romance of historical figures Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
Say expresses concern that parents may assume it’s safe for their kids to read “Sibyl” simply because they’ve enjoyed other works by the same author, which might not be the case at all.
To explore the perils of young adult literature and how to safeguard your children from inappropriate content, check out the full episode linked above.
