First, a good story. That's the reason they picked up the book in the first place--even if a teacher or mom made them do it. They are expecting or at least hoping, whether they know it or not, to be charmed out of themselves and their gated existence for the time it takes to finish the book. A good story is the vehicle to get out of Dodge, for those too young to drive; characters and plot mechanics and style are vital, but the story is what moves. There are all kinds of stories, with their own pacing, coloring and character, but the best of them should do three things: delight the reader, delineate the world she lives in, and awaken desire. Delight makes her turn the page, delineation makes her think, and desire makes her human.
Secondly, we owe them a certain degree of wisdom (NOT indoctrination). Every ...
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