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Re: summer reading/ student concerns
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From: maggie_bo_at_comcast.net
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:00:12 +0000 (UTC)
I COMPLETELY second Monica's point about summer reading. Dumping books with challenging content on kids during the summer when they do not have the support of a teacher available is a terrible practice that I, too, have witnessed. At the very least, kids should be given choices of reading material during the summer so that they have an option if they are uncomfortable reading something. When we have books with "edgy" content available in the school library, one of the things we always say as an argument for purchasing/keeping these books is that students do not HAVE to read them, and we also say that students themselves are often the best judges of what they are and are not ready for.
The fact that Roseanne's daughter came to her brings up another point as well. I am a middle school librarian, and I have actually had many more students than parents or other adults come to me and tell me a book was inappropriate or disturbing. This is sometimes a good chance to have a brief intellectual freedom discussion with the student, and sometimes an opportunity to address specific concerns/issues the student has, and sometimes a bit of both. I do try to make sure any student who brings up concerns about a book with me feels as though I've taken them seriously and addressed the issue to their satisfaction. I also try to help them find a "replacement" book if they want one.
I've had some interesting conversations with kids over the years. A number of students have pointed out the masturbation references in Sherman Alexie's Absolutely True Diary to me, quite sure that if I knew they were there, I would not possibly have allowed that book on the shelf! In general, they're surprised and pleased to know I've read the book, and that it's up to them to decide if they want to continue reading it. They always do, and they usually come back and tell me it's one of the best books they've ever read.
Maggie Bokelman Eagle View Middle School Librarian Mechanicsburg, PA
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Received on Mon 10 Mar 2014 09:00:42 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:00:12 +0000 (UTC)
I COMPLETELY second Monica's point about summer reading. Dumping books with challenging content on kids during the summer when they do not have the support of a teacher available is a terrible practice that I, too, have witnessed. At the very least, kids should be given choices of reading material during the summer so that they have an option if they are uncomfortable reading something. When we have books with "edgy" content available in the school library, one of the things we always say as an argument for purchasing/keeping these books is that students do not HAVE to read them, and we also say that students themselves are often the best judges of what they are and are not ready for.
The fact that Roseanne's daughter came to her brings up another point as well. I am a middle school librarian, and I have actually had many more students than parents or other adults come to me and tell me a book was inappropriate or disturbing. This is sometimes a good chance to have a brief intellectual freedom discussion with the student, and sometimes an opportunity to address specific concerns/issues the student has, and sometimes a bit of both. I do try to make sure any student who brings up concerns about a book with me feels as though I've taken them seriously and addressed the issue to their satisfaction. I also try to help them find a "replacement" book if they want one.
I've had some interesting conversations with kids over the years. A number of students have pointed out the masturbation references in Sherman Alexie's Absolutely True Diary to me, quite sure that if I knew they were there, I would not possibly have allowed that book on the shelf! In general, they're surprised and pleased to know I've read the book, and that it's up to them to decide if they want to continue reading it. They always do, and they usually come back and tell me it's one of the best books they've ever read.
Maggie Bokelman Eagle View Middle School Librarian Mechanicsburg, PA
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Received on Mon 10 Mar 2014 09:00:42 PM CDT
