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The cover of "The Marbury Lens," a young adult novel by Andrew Smith.

(Image Courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group)

 has started a heated debate over teen fiction.

Meghan Cox Gurdon argues that over the years, young adult (YA) fiction has become increasingly dark:

Cox Gurdon goes on to cite some examples of modern YA depravity, including 

's 2010 novel, "The Marbury Lens," in which the main character is drugged, abducted and nearly raped by a male captor.

Smith says he isn't comfortable with the label of "teen fiction" or YA books, because they set up expectations in parents akin to the label of a "Happy Meal" - predictable contents, predictably packaged.

Instead he thinks of himself as a novelist, who happens to be read by teens.

Smith says his most recent novel "The Marbury Lens," while dark, is a particularly personal piece.

Cox Gurdon says her concern is that these books not only to tell teens that they're not alone, but to popularize such violent behavior:

Smith disagrees. He says the books Cox Gurdon singled out in her article are in the vast minority:

What do you think? Are some novels too dark? How do you figure out what's appropriate for a teen reader?

Arts and Culture

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Marianne Combs

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