Roses and Bones: Myths, Tales, and Secrets (Bind Up) by
Description from the publisher:
What happens when a girl finds herself at the crossroads between worlds—where the angels and ghosts, gods and demons, and beauties and beasts of myth are real? What does she do and who does she become?
Roses and Bones captures the best Francesca Lia Block has to offer: extravagantly imaginative tales, dark landscapes, fierce poetry, and storytelling that is nothing short of magical.
In my experience, Block tends to be in the "love her or hate her" category of authors. Her style and content is her own.
The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold was first released when I was working as a children's/YA librarian in Burbank. I read it then and added it to our YA section even before reading it. My memories with it have almost nothing to do with fairy tales however, for it was the only book I had briefly challenged by an adult reader as unsuitable for YA. This was not common in the Los Angeles area and my initial reaction was not professional, alas. A short burst of laughter/noise erupted from me before I could control myself.
Anyway, that is my true confessions. I was usually a much better librarian than that, by the way. This is not light reading but it is quick. It may not be what you would want for your YA reader. So be warned.
Here are the original titles collected in this new book:
Well, to be honest, it would be nice if they had a kind of rating system to YA books. Like, perhaps PG or PG-13, or rated R. That's why I like sites like One Librarian's Book Reviews, which does tell you how much questionable content is in it. :D
ReplyDeleteI would hate to have a rating system on YA books (or any type of book). Ratings would just lead to stigmas such as an NC-17 rating on movies, which, contrary to popular opinion, does not always mean a film is pornographic. If parents are unsure, they can read/skim a book and consult reviews. Readers have different sensibilities that cannot and should not be swayed by letter and number ratings.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm a bit relieved to see that this is a collection of books I have already read. Francesca came out with so much new work last year that I haven't had time to catch up. The Weetzie Bat Books changed my life in high school (stop giggling!), and I've been a Francesca fan ever since.