Whether the people kids get to know in books are miles away, in outer space, or simply people from different background or time, books can help develop an understanding of their lives, help develop morals and values, expand their horizons and interests, and develop creativity and problem solving.

Discuss books with your kids and encourage them to make wise choices. A great deal of young adult fiction today has become increasingly dark, depressing, depraved, and violent. Adults need to be vigilant as to what their teens are reading. It is a parent’s role to show these readers how to find and enjoy the richness of life and reject the mediocre and mundane. There are many titles available that provide clear standards of right and wrong, show the ethics of human behavior, and evoke natural and wholesome laughter.

A classic is the rare book that has a special element, which enables it to endure the test of time and appeal to readers from every generation. It stands out because it has the ability to touch the heart and cross the boundaries of culture, nationality, religion, race, gender, and status.

Classics should make a major contribution to teens education, merriment, and appreciation of literature. Classics should provide clear standards of right and wrong, show the ethics of human behavior, and evoke wholesome laughter.

Read stories in their original versions, not the watered-down ones that lack drama or life. They may retell the classic stories, but the basic elements that make the stories classics are omitted.

With the influx of new books flooding the market each year, old favorites are in danger of being crowded out. Generations of teens are missing the opportunity of listening to classical literature. This is unfortunate because classics are the cornerstone to building a life-long relationship with literature.

When teens become familiar with the classics, they have a foundation for making comparisons to other stories. . Not all books will be excellent, but they will know stories’ possibilities when they have been exposed to great literature.

Each year, several awards are given for the best books published. John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott are men in whose names awards are given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott are men in whose names awards are given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association

The Caldecott Medal has been awarded annually since 1938 to the most distinguished illustrator of a children’s book during the preceding year.

The Newbery Award has been awarded since 1921 to the author of the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature during the preceding year.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal is presented every three years to an author or illustrator who has, “made a substantial and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” NOTE: This award has been deleted by the American Library Association, as they feel that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic writings do not meet their “politically correct” standards of today.

As prestigious as they are, do not let awards or medals dictate a choice in books. Awards are given for the quality of the writing or the illustrations and do not guarantee that a book will be successful. Parents interest, good taste, and discretion should be the influencing factor.