Argument Essay on Sold By Patricia McCormick: First Draft

  “ If  books show us the world, teen fiction can be like a hall of fun house mirrors, constantly reflecting back hideously distorted portrayals of what life is.” This is what author of “Darkness Too Visible”, Meghan Cox Gurdon along with many others think of the world of teen literature. Even thought these books may cover “inappropriate” topics, I believe it is important for teens to read them, so they learn how to cope with these issues.

For example, the book Sold by Patricia McCormick deals with violence and rape, but it can help teens deal with these issues in there own lives.

     Even though these topics may be inappropriate they still happen to teens and it is important for them to know about it. For example the author of “The Sick Lit Books Aimed at Children It’s a Disturbing Phenomenon. Tales of teenage cancer self-harm and suicide” states “When young people are lost in such traumatic states its vital they don’t feel alone.” This means that when teens go through these problems that they should be able to read about them so they don’t think they are the only ones going through them.
     Not only should teens dealing with these problems be able to read about them, but all should so they know about them if they ever encounter them. The author of “Teen Fiction Plots are Darker and Starker” explains this when he states, “ It takes a fearful thing and makes it approachable.” This means that teens can learn about these topics through reading so there prepared in case they encounter these issues in the future. For example, the book Sold can prepare children who have to deal with violence or rape as the main character has to on page 128 where the author states “ He grunts and struggles, trying to fit himself inside me. With a sudden thrust I am torn in two.”

     Even though parents and schools might think these books are too violent or graphic for teens I believe that they are not encouraging readers to think that these topics are okay, but the opposite. In the article “Teen Fiction Plots are Darker and Starker” the author explains that “The parents’ job is to help children to decide what they should read.” I believe that if the parents’ job should be to help their own children to decide what to read not to decide for them or decide for a whole community by challenging a book.

     In conclusion, I believe teens should be able to read frequently challenged books such as Sold by Patricia McCormick because they contain topics that teens should know about. I also believe they should be able to read Sold  and other challenged books because they don’t glorify inappropriate content but explain how its wrong.