Thirteen years ago, my parents gave birth to this girl:
When I found out that my mom was pregnant with Faith, I was resentful. I don't really know why, I just remember that my twelve year old self loathed the idea of having another sibling, and I think I knew even then that responsibility for this new baby would fall to me. I think I was overwhelmed more than anything. But, I knew she was coming...ready or not.
Two months after I turned thirteen, I got to hold Faith Grace for the very first time. I remember peering into her tiny face and feeling all of that fear and resentment melt away. I knew in that moment that she and I would have the most special bond...a bond that would go deeper than the bond of normal sisters. Sure, I hated the fact that I had to watch her and my other sisters so much. The responsibility was a lot for a thirteen year old, but I managed to take it on. Quite well, if I do say so myself. Sure there were meltdowns and I probably called my mom
WAY too much at work that first summer she left us all home alone with each other. But, no matter how much the teenager inside of me rebelled against the responsibility and restraint on my freedom, my inner mother and sister took over and some how I've helped my mother get Faith to thirteen. At twenty-six, she is one of my most beautiful accomplishments so far.
I see so much of myself in her: her quirky personality, her sensitive nature, her desire to fit-in and be "liked" by everyone, yet her desire to be her own person. She is unique. She is a rare beauty. And I am already jealous of how gorgeous she is at thirteen, because thirteen was
SO awkward for me! I would of given anything to have three older sisters to teach me how to dress, and do my make-up. Three older sisters to help make the transition from little girl to woman gracefully. I look at her and instead of seeing awful no-no hair cuts, poorly shaped eyebrows, too-blue eyeshadow, and clothes that don't really match, I see a girl who has been given all the tools she needs to make lessen the ridicule from the outside world, so that she can mature and grow easily on the inside. Because let's face it: middle school and high school is a
challenge. The desire to fit in and be accepted often leaves kids on the outside looking in, and trying to mature and grow under the harsh, unforgiving eye of their peers. And you know, despite the fact that Faith is a million times less awkward than I was at her age, the girls in her class still find ways to pick on her and find fault with her. I console her. I tell her they are just jealous. I tell her to go look at my middle and high school school pictures, and then she will feel amazing about herself. And for a moment she smiles. For a moment she believes me. But, just like every other teenage girl, the desire to be accepted is ever present.
This desire to be accepted has lead to our recent dilemma: teenage rebellion. Now before your mind goes to a worse case scenerio, we should revisit the fact that she is
thirteen. She can't drive. She can't go anyway unsupervised. So, at most her offense is a misdemeanor...but, my opinion is based on all of the
terrible things I did growing up, so really she may actually have a shot ;)
Anyway, mother called me last week in tears. She is basically a single-parent and she is completely worn out after my other two sisters and I. Too be honest, she is still trying to raise us...we're a challenge. Anyway, in pre-text to my story, right now the girls at Faith's school are all reading
THIS series:
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Apparently, this is the new
Twilight saga among teenage girls. I have had several friends on this blog recommend this series to me, but I, with school and work and motherhood, just hadn't found the time to read it. I knew it's popularity was growing, especially with the movie's release date set for March 23rd, but I guess I didn't realize it had such a cult following, especially among teenage girls. Excuse me, I
NEVER watch real TV...like ever.
So, when my mom called me very upset to tell me that Faith was reading this book behind her back and against her wishes, I was taken a little off guard. Faith had told me she was reading the book, because she wanted to see the movie with her best friend. I kind of blew it off, because I really didn't know much about the series and to be honest, I was kind of thrilled she was reading something she actually liked. A few days prior to my mom's phone call, Faith had told me she was mad at mom for taking the book away from her, because she didn't want Faith to read it. I don't really remember how that conversation went, but once again, I kind of blew it off, because for as long as I can remember my mom has been very strict about what my sisters and I read, watched, and listened too. Of course, when I was a teenager, I thought it was ridiculous, but now in hindsight, I know she was just trying to protect us and it was all apart of the amazing Christian foundation that she gave us. So, when Faith and I had the initial, "mom-is-being-dumb-and-won't-let-me-read-this-book" conversation, I'm sure I just nodded, told her it would all work out, and I would talk to mom. End of conversation.
So, fast forward to last week, my mom caught Faith reading another copy of the book in secret that she borrowed from a girl at school. She was furious, and at a loss. She called me to ask me what she thought I should do, and if I knew anything about the book. I told her what little I knew about the series, I assured her that I didn't think there was any sex or anything in it, but I knew there was quite a bit of violence. I told her that Faith was just reading it, because
ALL the other girls at school were reading it, and like every other teenage girl...she just wants to fit it. I agreed with her that Faith should probably be punished, because to be honest, this is only the beginning. She's thirteen, people. But, I did tell her I thought she was being silly about not letting her read the book. Because let's face it, I'm still Faith's sister. It's my job to back her up...
kind of ;)
Anyway, my mom asked if I would read the book. I told her I would squeeze it in amongst the
millions of other things I am trying to do, and I promised Faith I would have it read by the 19th, so that she could finish it in time for the movie. I've heard it's an amazing series from my friend,
Katie, so I'm sure I won't have a problem reading it in a week and a half. Of course as a result, I must resentfully set aside my new
Nicholas Sparks book, and take one for the team, but I'm sure it won't be too terrible. However, I wanted to give all of you the opportunity to weigh in!
Have you read
The Hunger Games series? In your opinion is it an appropriate series for a thirteen year old to be reading? Why or why not? What kinds of things should I look for while I'm reading it?
I think
Focus on the Family and other Christian review sites have a very one-sided view on the media, and that their book and movie reviews tend to just bash the novel instead of giving guidance to the reader or viewer as to how they should approach it and what kinds of things to pay attention to while reading/watching it. Sometimes I am all for Christian movies and literature, but I don't necessarily think that because I'm a Christian I can't read those things.
I read Twilight. All four of them. I loved them...
LOVED them. However, in my opinion they are inappropriate for thirteen year old girls. I have told Faith, I don't think they are good for her to read. I think there are too many intense sexually charged moments, and I also think the fact that Edward, Bella and Jacob are all in high school and they have these intense feelings in their relationships is completely unrealistic and inappropriate for teenagers. But, that's just my opinion, and maybe knowing my opinion on this series will help you understand what I would possibly consider to be inappropriate about the
Hunger Games for Faith.
So, if you could take a moment and leave me a brief book review and your thoughts on the book in regards to teenagers, I would super grateful!
I hope all of you are having an amazing Thursday! I'm off to take another test and get started on my new reading material!
