The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
34°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

The Vox Box

  1. Blogs
  2. The Vox Box
  3. Twilight: all it's cracked up to be?

Twilight: all it’s cracked up to be?

Kristen Stewart as Bella, left, and Robert Pattinson as the vampire Edward in a scene from “Twilight.” (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Kristen Stewart as Bella, left, and Robert Pattinson as the vampire Edward in a scene from “Twilight.” (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Over the past year or two, Twilight mania has gradually taken over the lives of millions of teenage girls across the world. Stephenie Meyer is hailed as the new J.K. Rowling. Sparkly is the new standard for vampires. Middle-aged mothers are squealing at Robert Pattinson along with their young daughters. Friendships are torn asunder over Team Edward and Team Jacob differences. (Okay, maybe not that last one, but it could happen.) But is Twilight really the "classic" many would have it be? Should girls really be idolizing one such as Edward Cullen?

One blogger doesn't think so, and she's not alone. Going well against the norm, "Masala Skeptic" writes protagonist Bella Swan off as a weak female who can't do anything for herself, declares Edward an emotionally abusive creeper, and shuns the story overall. Read it for yourself here: http://skepchick.org/blog/?p=4507

Question: What is your opinion of the series? Is Twilight as bad for young minds as she says?

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.