HIT: Middle: The Wind Blows Backwards

[Susan Brown <smbrown@MINDSPRING.COM>]

Thanks so much to those who wrote me with their opinions. I've decided I'm
going to send the book on to the high school. As a hit I'm posting a few
opinions about the book as well as opinions about the quandary of middle
school book selection in general.  If you missed the Target, I am posting it
at the end of the hit.  Susan
===
I looked in the Wilson Catalog, and it's in there for Middle School, but
bottom line is that I think you should use your own judgement based on your
community. We love Hahn's books, but I was surprised to see this one
included in the mid sch catalog. Guess that's wishy washy, but it's a tough
call. Good luck
===
When I had a combined MS/HS I often had MS students wanting to check out the
more "mature" books.  Some of them I knew could handle it and others I was
not so sure.  My practice was to tell the students "this book has mature
themes, if you don't think your parents would want you to check it out,
please bring it back and get something else".  I hate to tell a student that
he/she can't have a book.
===
I loved this book also, having been a Mary Downing Hahn fan from way
back. It is, however, much more sophisticated than most all of her other
titles. Over the years, I have tested it out in my booktalks at various
grade levels. It seems to be most successful with my 10th graders. We have
grades 8-12 here and I would not suggest it for 8th. Some readers might be
mature enough, but I know Titlewave has is listed as YA and so does School
Library Journal. Titlewave is a great
resource......http://www.follett.com.............just register and it
contains book reviews, as well.
===
My 8th grade girls love the book also.  I do have it marked for 8th grade
only and I even bought an extra copy of it since it is so popular.
===
I will be interested in your replies.  I am in a K-8 Catholic school.
(Though I am not Catholic.) I will go as far as a kiss in a YA book, but I
don't go any farther.  I know that kids are more savy now, but I can't
condone it.  It just seems that if I put it (unacceptable behavior)  in the
collection in a book that I have chosen, I am giving a message that I don't
want to give.  Besides, there is lots of really good fiction to keep them
busy.  We are having no shortage.  (I love Hahn, she is one of my favorites,
but I haven't read the one you speak of.)
===
This is a constant battle I have to fight with myself.  I am much more
liberal than people in my community and even tho I know our middle school
girls are more experienced than their parents think they are I never want to
be the one who gives them ideas they don't need.  BUT I also think back to
what I use to read as a teenager.  It didn't give me permission, it just
gave me information for thought!  I will be very interested in hearing what
others tell you.
===
Dear Friends,
I have just finished reading Hahn's The Wind Blows Backwards. I thought it
was a great book -- full of literary allusions and thoughtful dialog and
wrenching  emotion. My question to you is -- is this book appropriate for a
middle school collection?

The characters are high school seniors.  There is non-graphic sex that is
portrayed with no consequences. Somehow, I want there to be mentioned some
kind of downside to teenage sexual encounters. Am I just being a prude?
Middle school girls would love this book -- I can see them recommending it
to their friends. They are so impressionable, though. Am I wrong in
wondering if they need to wait till high school to read it?

This is my first year in middle school. I was an elementary librarian for 21
years. Please feel free to tell me to wake up and join the 21st century. I'm
having a wonderful time trying to catch up with YA literature. I feel like
Frederick Muller -- bringing homes stacks of books each night to read so
that I can talk books with my kids.  I don't want fiction to be didactic. I
love a good story just for the sake of a good story--and this is a good
story.

I'm not really worried about censorship challenges. My community is southern
and rural, but very supportive. I'm more concerned with professional "best
practice" and what is appropriate for middle school. I've thought about
putting a note in front of the book saying "Please wait till you're in 8th
grade to read this one. It includes mature themes." (I've been writing
sticky notes and putting them in the front of books that I've read -- the
students love them and have begun leaving their own sticky notes
recommending their favorites.)

Sorry I ran on so long. I'm looking forward to your advice.
Susan

--
Susan Brown
Media Specialist
Cedar Hill MIddle School   http://polk.ga.net/chms/media/library/htm
Cedartown, GA

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