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From: AMY KLINE <AKLINE>
Date: Tue, 06 May 2003 07:59:27 -0500
Responding to:
"I am wondering if this kind of self-regulation of edgy books by younger readers is unusual, or if there are indeed many discerning youngsters who know when they are not ready to tackle certain topics. And if such readers prefer NOT to read about these topics just yet, how they respond if they accidentally get in over their depth? What have those of you who work more with this age group noticed?"
I have been a longtime lurker, so this is my first posting.
As a library media specialist at a K-8 public school, I often deal with this issue. I do not have a separate YA section in my library. I notice that kids usually self select books that are at their level. If they do check out a book that is above their heads content-wise, they will often bring the book back and say they thought it was boring.
The exception seems to be 4th and 5th grade students. They are still learning how to pick out "just right" books and they also see and hear what the middle schoolers read and want to be like them. When a 4th grader comes to check out a YA book, I tell them that I can help them find something that they will like better or that the book is for middle schoolers. If the book is pretty tame but still a YA I will let them take out the book ( if they insist) but tell them that if anything in the book bothers them or their parents, they can bring it back and check out something else.
This seems to work for now. How do other Library Media Specialists that work in elementary/middle schools handle this issue?
Amy Kline Library Media Specialist Red Smith K-8 Library Green Bay Area Public Schools http://www.greenbay.k12.wi.us/01/schools/lmc/redsmith/
Received on Tue 06 May 2003 07:59:27 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 06 May 2003 07:59:27 -0500
Responding to:
"I am wondering if this kind of self-regulation of edgy books by younger readers is unusual, or if there are indeed many discerning youngsters who know when they are not ready to tackle certain topics. And if such readers prefer NOT to read about these topics just yet, how they respond if they accidentally get in over their depth? What have those of you who work more with this age group noticed?"
I have been a longtime lurker, so this is my first posting.
As a library media specialist at a K-8 public school, I often deal with this issue. I do not have a separate YA section in my library. I notice that kids usually self select books that are at their level. If they do check out a book that is above their heads content-wise, they will often bring the book back and say they thought it was boring.
The exception seems to be 4th and 5th grade students. They are still learning how to pick out "just right" books and they also see and hear what the middle schoolers read and want to be like them. When a 4th grader comes to check out a YA book, I tell them that I can help them find something that they will like better or that the book is for middle schoolers. If the book is pretty tame but still a YA I will let them take out the book ( if they insist) but tell them that if anything in the book bothers them or their parents, they can bring it back and check out something else.
This seems to work for now. How do other Library Media Specialists that work in elementary/middle schools handle this issue?
Amy Kline Library Media Specialist Red Smith K-8 Library Green Bay Area Public Schools http://www.greenbay.k12.wi.us/01/schools/lmc/redsmith/
Received on Tue 06 May 2003 07:59:27 AM CDT
