I don't know how many of you agree with me, but I just have to say that is sort of bothers me--if not completely pisses me off-- when someone sees me reading an Animorphs book, or talking about Animorphs and say, "Dude, you're eighteen. Why are you reading a kids series?"
You could say, "TMP, don't listen to what they say. If you like the series, and you're a true fan, it shouldn't matter to you."
Well, it's difficult to do so when everyone points out that the Animorphs are for kids.
And I'm going to list the reasons why it is the complete opposite; with a little help from my Rafriends.
But first, let's point out some of the things that DO make the Animorphs a "kids series"
1) The very large font and length of an average Animorphs book (like, size 20, 150 pages and 26-30 chapters)
2) The main characters are, in fact, children--somewhere around 12 or 13 during the events of the invasion.
3) The Author intended the series to be for kids. Her target audience were kids--who are now nearing their late twenties, might I add.
4) The lack of swearing. Characters will rarely curse; and, even when they do, they only ever say "crap" or "damn"
5) The cover art gives the impression of being a children's book series.
6) Very few instances of Adult situations; i.e sex, rape, pre-meditated murder (by a human). Mostly, it is speculated that an Animorph ever kills another human. For example: we can only assume David killed Saddler, though it was never openly stated.
Well...six points for the children's series argument. Personally, that's all I could come up with at the time being--maybe I'll think of more later-- but anyone reading this is free to add more.
Alright, now the reasons why the Animorphs is NOT a Children's series:
1) The vocabulary and word choice alone is far more sophisticated than what is to be expected of a children's book. For example: the Chronicles books seem to be above the reading level of a nine year old. I myself was eleven or twelve when I attmpted to read the Ellimist Chronicles, but put it down after a few chapters because I didn't understand what was going on. Again, that's not to say that the Animorphs are "too smart" for kids; I'm just saying, there are certain books and instances where the author uses certain words, references or describes things in a way that will often go over a kid's head.
2) The psycholigical horrors that the Animorphs experience over the course of this fifty-four book arc seems, to me at least, to be something a nine year old will really appreciate. I'll admit, that when I was twelve, I shuddered after reading the description of the ending of the solution. But I don't think kids will get the ethical and moral dilemma of the series. I think that's why everyone sees Cassie's books as being boring. Kids are drawn to Tobias' books because they want to see what flying is like; the read Rachel's because she's badass; and they read Marco's books because they want to hear a good joke. Personally, I read less books narrated by Jake, Ax and Cassie. Ax, because he was too smart for my twelve year old brain; Jake's because he was maoning about how tough it was to be a leader; Cassie's because...again, morals--things a kid might not get until they're older...Or maybe I'm not giving nine year olds enough credit.
3) The decisions made by the Animorphs may not always be ethical, things that kids wouldn't have thought of. Real adult decisions.
4) Understanding the Yeerks and why they do what they do. A kid would just see them as being "all evil", but we see the opposite in books 19 and 29. The fact is, K.A is telling her readers that the world is not always black and white; there are moments where things are in shades of grey. I doubt kids would really get that. Mostly, they'll see the Yeerks as bad, Animorphs as good; black and white.
5) Megamorphs 3: Elfangor's Secret. Kids will simply discount this book because it's basically a "history lesson"--hell, I know I did. They won't know about Trafalgar, Agincourt (though, admitedly, neither did I) the crossing of the Dellaware, and the alliances of the second world war. A nine year old can't appreciate history.
6) In book 37: the Weakness, Rachel mentions "Hamlet Complexes" and "Oedipus Rex"--kids will simply not know who Oedipus was, and why he was relevant for that book...But the fault is really the ghostwriter's.
7) The scientific and mathematical theories Ax refers to is obviously going to go over a nine year old's head.
Descriptions of the violence and battle scenes...Though, kids nowadays see a lot worse on COD, so I don't know if this counts
9) The fate of David and why it was wrong.
That's all I have at the moment. I'm sure some other people can get a few more.
