When I was in high school there was whisperings about this book "The Story of O". It was french, and written in the 1950's, and it was about S&M. Of course we were fascinated. What was S&M (we didn't have google in the early 90's, LOL) and where could we find this book? We discovered that Skillman Library had a copy (Lafayette's library). We of course looked it up and stealthily read it when we were supposed to be doing research for our papers for English class. Around that same time we decided we were connoisseurs of great films, and made a point of watching every foreign film that Blockbuster had (vhs of course). Among the samplings - "Belle de Jour" a 1960's french film (based on a book from the 1920's) about a desperate housewife who become a prostitute with a preference for S&M in the afternoons to spice her life up a bit. My point is that this kind of thing is not new, and it is not an indictment on our society. A book is not going to lead a child into a sexually abusive relationship. As a parent (of 2 girls) I may not be looking forward to some of the conversations in our future, but I will certainly use them as an opportunity to discuss sexuality, love & lust, respect and empowerment, and definitely not shame and guilt.

LOL...I can't stop laughing after reading this....I read all three books, my favorite was the third one. I enjoyed how the story continued and developed into so much more than the smut that everyone discussed. When you get past all the "other stuff" that was in the book and you finally finish the three books, it really is a great book for a book club! I do not think it's for anyone in K-12 grade...but that's my own personal opinion.

Glad I gave you a chuckle, Missy. :) I guess I need to borrow the 2nd and 3rd books from my great aunt to see the 'big picture.' The first book was shocking to me!

And to think there are 12-year-olds reading it! I grew up reading "Little House on the Prairie" books. Things like "balls" and "belts" were foreign to me.

My question is simply ... for those youngsters who read things like this, will it have an impact? Will young girls think it's OK to have a boy/man control them for 'fun?' Will kids experiment and end up causing harm?

Just thoughts and concerns about a book that is flying off the shelves, unlike "The Story of O" which apparently was very difficult to obtain. As much as we wish and hope parents are open with their children about sexuality ... what is the reality?

This was an interesting article as well ... http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/the_hot_sex_text_zx2AW5DO7h40whfZSHG1kO

Should EPSD add this book to the reading list?

My mother took to her bed with the smelling salts when I checked out "Peyton Place" and "Forever Amber" from the local library. They were filthy books back in her day. My mother was an unexceptional student but a voracious reader and she never stopped me from reading anything the library offered.

Back in the paleolithic era when I was in grade school (late 60s), you could get a library card once you could sign your own name. I've had one since I was 7 and I haven't stopped reading since then.

PS - The Anne Rice (writing as A.N. Rocquelaure) "Beauty" books are *much* superior to the "Grey" books (coff)

http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Beauty-Trilogy-Box-Set/dp/0452294754/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347454615&sr=8-3&keywords=a.n.+roquelaure

I would be much more concerned about what is going on in the bathrooms in middle school. If all is to be believed some of these kids are way past the effect of a book.

I completely agree that 12 year olds are not capable of understanding the complexities and varieties of adult sexuality - but I remember reading those Judy Blume books Tiger Eyes and Forever in middle school and they were steamy (at least I remember it that way)! But kids seek out things that are forbidden. I'm just saying that if I "caught" my 12 year old reading that book I wouldn't just snatch it away from them without attempting to discuss it (in age appropriate context), and might even just use this books popularity to bring the topic up as an excuse to talk and find out where they are as far as their peer group, etc.
But I don't think it will have a lasting impact and I think the reading about it is the display of rebellion, not actually trying to recreate the scenes. I think that S&M requires a sexual confidence and maturity that most adults don't have let alone sexually immature teens.
I agree that most parents severely lack the skills to have conversations about sexuality with their children. It is those same parents that are "shocked" when their 17 year old gets pregnant because they spent their whole lives telling them that sex before marriage was wrong. It's a conundrum for sure.

Parkland Grad - you are correct!

Howard Allen Frances O'Brien to be exact. Her parents must have be a stitch at parties.

To the author of this article, naive adolescents???? HAHA that's funny because I am close with many of my best friends children, have watched them grow up from little babies into young adults. There is NOTHING naive about the younger generation these days. They know more about "sexual varieties" that even puts me to shame and I'm 39. If its not your thing then don't read it but it doesn't give folks the right to cast a "crossed eye" at those that do. Nor does it give anyone the reason to say what's good reading or not or to try to have it censored. If you remember correctly back in the 80s and 90s the Harlequin romance series were laden with sex and smut. Where was the censorship then?? Fifty shades is no different, just a different era. No fifty is not for everyone but yes there is actually a story line if you read the whole series. I'm actually on book two. Kids in K-8 shouldn't be reading it I agree.

Why this book left you feeling embarrassed and guilty is beyond me...unless you secretly desire the things in the Fifty series but too embarrassed to tell anyone or afraid someone will find out your deep dark fantasies if they see you reading the book. I'm not embarrassed of anything that I do. And all I want to know is where is my Christian Grey??(only those that have read the book with an OPEN mind will get this last statement )

Do kids that read today understand library classification of books? F - stands for fiction - make-believe. NF - stands for real/true. Since the Fifty Shades of Grey series is FICTION - they should know the stories are not true - even though everything that is in the stories - is out there in the real world. Our children don't live in bubbles. As a parent of 4 grown adults - the way our children survive when they grow up depends on how we as their parents raise/teach them.

This book is the story of man who is damaged from the abuse he suffered as a child. The woman he meets, is the only person who has been able to help him break away from this sadness. He can be happy and participate in family activities with some joy for the first time in his life. He marries, has a family and a beautiful life that his adopted parents never thought he would have, no matter how much they loved him. It is unfortunate that you were too busy being embarrassed about the sex to enjoy the story!

That's exactly what I thought this morning when I read this judgmental article. This trilogy showed the transformation of a man shaded with his abusive childhood from one with psychological issues to develop into a loving, caring husband and father with the insightful help of his loving partner, Ana. The story was captivating and well written. I look forward to watching the movie!

I found a copy of The Happy Hooker when I was maybe 10 years old and would sneak pages when my parents were not around. I did not become a hooker nor did I ever contemplate it. Also, this book is not about an abusive relationship. It is about two people who fall in love and navigate through a relationship and their bedroom. It is shocking to some solely because the female character was not involved in BDSM when she met Mr. Grey. I am not embarrassed I read them. I thought the writing was worse than any sexual thing written in the books.

If the book is in the schools (which it should not be allowed), the teachers should contact the parents and the parents should deal with it.

I read all 3 and got many comments from people. Most of them were wondering why I would want to read "Porn". I must first say, that I read all 3 books and LOVED them. Yes, the books are filled with sex but the love story is amazing! Second, No child should read them. Third, No one should be embarrassed to have read them. I read the books any chance I got and didnt care who saw. I was so "involved" in these books and felt as though I personally knew the characters. Jenae, you said that you wanted to know more about Christian's past. The author did reveal A LOT about his past, it was just in bits and pieces. By the end of the trilogy, the reader knew just about everything they wanted/needed to know. I think that most people are not open and comfortable with their sexuality and that is why many people are embarrassed to read it. Being very comfortable with yourself sexually and emotionally (which go hand in hand) is very healthy for yourself and your relationship and I think this book will actually help more couples than harm them!

I too have read all three without embarrassment. I enjoyed the story exactly how B.C. above describes. I found the sexual part of the story to be monotonous, after all, how can a man be a billionaire and have time for all that sex? Literally and physically it would be exhausting and time-consuming.

As a parent, I have some of the same concerns as you, Jenae. I DO believe there is an age of innocence in children, a time before adolescence when they are not fully capable of processing and dealing with not only the subject matter of books like "50 Shades...", but also the implications and consequences of these kinds of things in the lives. (Frankly, I know adults, who aren't fully emotionally equipped to deal with some of these more intense subjects in a mature fashion.) This discussion, as well as the parallel going on at the East Penn School Board, affirms to me the importance of parental involvement in the lives of their children and adolescents. Nobody is going to chaperone your children's media consumption (books, TV, movies, music, internet, games, etc.) unless YOU do. We try to be involved, talk with and supervise what our children are reading and watching. It is really difficult sometimes. As Christians, we live in a world where not everyone shares our values. It's not that we don't believe that they will see or experience these kinds of sexual images or language in their life, they surely will. We just want to work to make sure they are at a maturity level where they can best process them and make thoughtful decisions about them. We live in a world in which media is often driven by what stimulates the hypothalmus (i.e. hormonal responses). We're trying to raise children who can also use their frontal lobe (i.e. think, process and make moral decisions).

You also raise the point about people "at any age" being allowed to buy this book. I would recommend to you "The Disappearance of Childhood" by Neil Postman. I believe it speaks to our situation today. He makes the argument that the idea of "childhood" as something distinct from adulthood came about with the advent of the printing press and "books". I think his point is well made. Consequently, he posits that with the advent of television, in 1950, we have the end of childhood. If this was true with TV, it is even more so the case with computers and the internet. In the age of electronic media there are no longer adult realities and secrets. He says childhood's innocence was lost and the idea of shame became "diluted and demystified". His evidence for the disappearance of childhood includes: the rise of crime perpetrated by and against children; the increase in sexual activity and drug/alcohol abuse in children; children and adults sharing musical tastes, language, literature, and movies (think of all the recent comic book/superhero movies); the lack of differentiated clothing styles (little girls in high heels, grown men in sneakers). Even childhood games have been replaced by organized sports (Leagues, Travel teams, etc.) which are more like adult sports. To the point, my wife and I will go to a PG-13 movie and be surprised to see parents who have brought their elementary aged children along. One wonders the long-term impact of this on our children and society.

Parents today are too worried. My mom let me read whatever I wanted. Since it didn't matter, did I pick up "bad books?" Nope. I read some maturer books, but nothing that would give my mom a heart attack. I was talking about 50 Shades to my sister, who also reads whatever she wants. She doesn't want to read it. No interest. She'll even pass on certain books at the bookstore, telling me they are just too mature for her. I just shrug and let her pick out what she wants.

Don't you remember when you were a kid, and your parents told you not to do something? What was the first thing you did? Kids are smarter than we give them credit for though, let them make their own decisions. They're just books anyway.

Also, in regards to the East Penn ridiculousness, I've read "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld and it was not a very good book at all. That should be the scandal, there's really nothing going for it.

Ok...I understand your concerns about your children's innocence. My children are grown and gone and I raised them "sheltered"... limited TV, they played outside, no cell phones or computers and we went to church 3 times a week. However, I found the most frustrating part of keeping my children's innocence was in the school system where the children were introduced to "alternative households" in elementary school and "same sex relationships" in middle school. That being said, it's a parents responsibility to guide and direct their children which is becoming more and more difficult in this day and age. Getting back to these books...they are meant for adults not children. It is a parental obligation to be aware of what your children are doing. Personally I found far more undesirable influences from our school system than I did when my children were under my roof. All I can say is good luck to the parents today!

@WRV - considering I'm on a library board, I'm sure I'll he flack for that comment :) In all seriousness, I meant it more like, they're books, there are worse things in the world that kids could be doing.

I still thought the books were the best books I ever read. I skipped over most of the sex to the incredible story.

I think we have two issues going here. Our children being influenced by adult material and therefore casting the blame on the Fifty Shades Trilogy. Maybe someone should explore having social media/facebook for over and under 18. PERIOD. Adult conversations should be just that...Adult.

Parents are allowing their elementary children, yes, 2nd graders, to read the Twilight series and The Hunger Games...what is going on?? There is a reason the movies are rated PG-13...because they are not appropriate for children. Fifty Shades will certainly be R so therefore it is not appropriate for those under 17. Personally, I did not like the Fifty series one bit...poor writing and monotonous. I was bored to tears.

What is wrong with the Hunger games trilogy? I read those books as well and its SCIENCE FICTION...Fiction being the operative word here...censoring books is just ridiculous. Period!!

Very explicit and addicting!! Have read the trilogy several times each. Found it to be a great love story!! Period.

Yes Valerie I agree the Hunger Games trilogy.is addicting..I've read them several times myself :-)

You can keep your Grey, your Twilight, and your Hunger Games....go with the classics...while not as graphic, you still get sex, mayhem, murder and mystique. The Greeks did it well before there was a printing press.

we need to realize that children these days know more then parents. most that stuff doesnt shock them so if you cant protect your children from all the influiences in life unless you lock them up for good then i suggest we discuss the topics and let them read the book based on the maturity of that kid in time. We may think our kids are not mature but its pretty bad when you got 9th graders and some younger knowing how give oral and anal and so forth. Its sad yes so only thing we can do is talk to our kids and let them make there own choices in life cause we all were younf and know what its like when parents tell us whats bad like drinking and partying. We all went out and did that stuff or rebeled here and there for some of us. So maybe if we accept that the world is this way now with social media and tv and books we can be more open and more involved in our children and guide them.

Well as sad as it may be you have 6 graders having sex and when I was in school kids knew about things and how to do what fast forward to today with how much information is going into our kids heads I feel the old way isn't the right way with kids. You have hs kids that have kids so much Ehs has its own daycare and girls that are doing anal to stay a virgin and all that stuff you can read on the news and crap. So maybe since kids are so grown up and in some cases know more about sex and topics alike that since we can't stop that information from influencing are kids then maybe we should except it and get more involved in it and if my kid wants to read that book ok chances are they know everything in it. So least I can discuss the book with them so they know right from wrong.

So to answer your question I would say to an extent there really is hardly a difference in it, maybe a small one but with kids and information and peers it's tough to think are kids are getting more grown up faster and doing stuff more then in the past. Some parents throw a blind eye to it an think oh I know my so and so doesn't do this or that. I'm not sayin they do or don't. Just kids these days are not stupid you know and we all were young and know they tell the parents what they want to hear. Maybe with the times changing we all can be more open minded I guess least the younger generation will be since they are living in the society where more skin and sex is becoming mainstream that it doesn't shock them as it does to parents. Your only option is to cut out there eyes and ears to maybe completely protect them from it lol.