A little help please!

Check out Shady's Edgy YA thread. That's a good place to start. I believe its sticky now.

Yeah, the "official" thread would probably be a good place to start.

I will say this, though. Have you seen those free-verse novels by Ellen Hopkins? (Google her name and click her website. you'll see what I mean.) Anyway, they deal with suicide, drugs, addiction, sex, and they're explicit right up to almost telling you anatomically what is happening (Except in a funky poetic style, of course ) Also, they're insanely popular. *shrugs*. I think those of us who read YA (because I'm young enough to fit vaguely in this category) like to feel like we're getting away with something.

Especially when it just flows well. Personally I always thought if it was relevant to the story you can keep it in there, but it depends on the age group too, that's all I can really say. Check with Shady.