And the award goes to...

"The danger, which to some degree has become the reality, is that this kind of rule balkanizes literature...

[note: this is a word with a history: "1920, in reference to the Baltic states"]

...There is less pressure on the general public to read, understand, appreciate and develop a fine critical eye for African-American literature..."
Marc Aronson suggests.

I think this is a weak argument. First of all, in class time and again we discuss the dangers of the label "children/adolescent literature"...it's like the Disney movies: we think that, because it's for children, it is therefore innocent. We know that this is not true. I think society runs into the "danger, which to some degree has become the reality" that people don't--for ANY children's lit--"develop a fine critical eye". We in this busy society don't always have time to scour through every book in the children's section. We want a quick solution and a shiny, metallic medallion gleaming on a book is like a beacon of "PICK ME! I'M THE BEST!!!!!".