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Thank you all so much for weighing in on this book. Though opinion ran the gamut from no, to have in library but don't recommend, to yes - the body of responses helped me decide my position. Go Ask Alice Well, I'm in a 6th-8th library, and while we do have it, I'm not sure I'd recommend it to 7th graders...8th is about the lowest I'd go, and even then I'm a bit hesitant. Angela Vietti O'Kane Media Specialist Monticello Trails Middle School Shawnee, KS 66226 aokane@usd232.org (913) 422-1100 That's a tough one. I did order two copies last year because of student requests but that was only after I double checked to make sure other middle schools in our district had the book too. I read the book and I would never suggest it to a whole class. It's way too mature. Also along those lines is the book It Happened to Nancy. I think you need to consider your community and the likely hood of a book challenge etc. If you go with the book, I recommend getting your reviews in order. Good luck--it was a really tough decision for me to include it. I did finally include it because I believe drug abuse is an issue for our kids. Eileen Carmody Librarian Stone MS Centreville, VA eileen.carmody@fcps.edu Shannon, In my opinion it is too mature for 7th graders. I am very liberal, but this is one book I hope my 16 year old daughter doesn't find for a long time. I probably wouldn't forbid her to read it, but I would have to have a serious discussion with her as she read it. I feel like the glorification of the sex act while on drugs is my big hang-up. I would really be sure your teacher understands what she may be in for in the way of parental objections. Ruth Ann <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Ruth Ann Noe, librarian =20 Perryton Jr. High School phone: 806.435.360 x227 510 S. Eton St. fax: 806.435.3601 Perryton, TX 79070 e-mail: ranoe@perrytonisd.com Shannon-I have to agree with you. I do not have this book on my shelves either (gr 7-8) and would probably only recommend this book to a 9th grader (or higher). I taught 7th grade Language Arts and Literature and 7th graders (even gifted ones) are not socially/mentally prepared for this book. My opinion for what it is worth! BJ Barbara Johnson, Librarian Albright Middle School Houston, TX 77083 bhjohnso@albrightmail.alief.isd.tenet.edu <mailto:bhjohnso@albrightmail.alief.isd.tenet.edu> Best Books for Senior High Readers by John T. Gillespie recommends Go Ask Alice for grades 9-12, it is not in his Junior High recommended reading list Sandy Duke Dear Shannon, I agree with you. I feel not only is the book too mature, but it=20 definitely needs to be read aloud and offered up for discussion on a HIGH=20 school level. At a previous school one of our teachers requested that her=20 9th graders read it, and there was much hullabaloo..and eventually it was=20 banned from the school. I feel like the banning is a shame, because in the=20 right setting, perhaps a psychology class it has its place, but just for a=20 normal language arts class....no way. I have a 7th grader and I would=20 cringe at the thought, and as much as I hate to say it, I would not allow=20 her to read it at that age. She needs to be older, more mature, and able=20 to handle the drugs, alcohol, and sex issues. Hope this helps, let me know=20 what happens. Charlotte Gray Librarian St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38117 cgray@saa-sds.org <mailto:cgray@saa-sds.org> I would not want MY 7th grader (if I still had one) reading it. It is liberally sprinkled with the F word and graphic sex. It is much more appropriate for mature high school, but even then I'd worry. In fact, the only place I'd ever heard it being used was in an Alternative Ed program for older teens not welcome in redular schools. Dawn Sardes Dear Shannon,=20 I completely agree with you. I read it for a grad. school class and I do not think it would be appropriate until High School. It contains very heavy material that I do not think is appropriate for middle school aged children.=20 Kristen Marsella,=20 Media Specialist=20 State Bridge Crossing Elem.=20 marsella@fulton.k12.ga.us <mailto:marsella@fulton.k12.ga.us>=20 I think it would be ok to have in the collection but I wouldn't advise a teacher having all her kids read it. She will be sure to hear from parents. Lorraine Smith Librarian St. Gabriel's Catholic School Austin, TX lorraine.smith@sgs-austin.org I remember loving this book in high school. I don't think it's appropriate for seventh grade. Perhaps the teacher also remembers loving it as an adolescent. Maybe you could send her to the public library to reread passages. She'd probably come to the same conclusion. Becky Mosbacher Library Media Specialist Hellgate Middle School=20 2385 Flynn Lane Missoula, MT 59808 bmosbacher@hellgate.k12.mt.us I have this book on the shelves, somewhat popular with 8th grade girls. I would pick something like Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (peer pressure, teen) but even this is a bit mature for 7th graders. I would never use GA Alice as a classroom read - I think better to focus on positive issues that teens can relate to their own experiences. The Drug thing is better left for high school. Howabout Lord of the Flies (again, a bit mature) or The View From Saturday about different kinds of people, tolerance, or Zachery Beaver Came to Town or The Mighty? Amy Ojserkis Media Specialist Belhaven Avenue School Linwood, NJ 08221 amyojserkis@linwoodschools.org (609) 926-6700, FAX (609) 926-6705 Im at a Jr high 7-9 and have it and plan to keep it when we change to middle school 6-8 but I would be careful about recomending it I feel there is a big difference between having a book and recomemeding it James Johnson Library/Media Specialist Oskaloosa Jr. High School 1704 North 3rd street Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577 641 673 8308 ex 1725 Fax 641 683 8308 Johnsonj@aea15.k12.ia.us <mailto:Johnsonj@aea15.k12.ia.us> Shannon, I would start by making sure that the teacher has actually read Go Ask Alice all the way through. When I started here at this middle school, it was on the shelf, but when it died of being read to death, I chose not to replace it because I think that the language and content are more appropriate for high schoolers. I agree with your misgivings. Sandy Sandy Grasfield, Library/Media Specialist Kennedy Middle School 165 Mill St., Natick, MA 01760 (508)647-6400, X2402 <grasfiel@massed.net I think it's completely inappropriate for 7th grade. I know it's a cautionary tale, but it's really a high school book. At least to handle in class. I read it myself in 10th grade, it's been extraordinarily popular in all the public and school libraries I've worked in, and I completely understand the teachers' point of view, that the kids will be enthralled (and they will). But it's not appropriate. There's my two cents... Christie Hamm, Librarian Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School Los Angeles, CA chamm@swes.org (310) 889-2241 You might check to see what the kids are reading on their own, and what they're watching on tv. It really depends on the community. I think it's a great book that all kids should read; however, if I were in a community where the kids were less sophisticated, I might wait till 8th or 9th grade. Most of the 7th graders I worked with, though, regularly watched "R" rated videos and movies, and played extremely graphic video games. And this was a very small rural "Bible belt" community. =20 HTH! Louise C. Leonard, MLS Solomon Schechter Day School Library Jacksonville, FL Lhurst1054@aol.com <mailto:Lhurst1054@aol.com> Hi... I read this book last year after I ordered it. I ordered it because we had an Accelerated Reader test on it. After I read it, I decided, while the kids would love it, I would get FAR TOO MANY parental complaints about it. It would not be worth the hassle. I really the content is MUCH too mature for your average m.s. student! Too bad, because the story is a real spell-binder! Hope this helps! Sherry Thompson, Librarian Highland Village Elem.--Lewisville, TX former librarian--Whitehouse Jr. H.S. Whitehouse, TX Definitely not. =20 Cindy Denning=20 TWU MLIS student=20 Once and future librarian=20 Collinsville, TX=20 cynden744@aol.com <mailto:cynden744@aol.com> Shannon,=20 My 7th grade Reading Teacher allowed her students to read it, matter of fact I did a book talk on it. It was a great book, yes it is for a mature audience, however, I feel that with the student population that I teach it was a worth while venture to allow them to read it. The only thing I did was, I said that my students needed to have a parental approval. My 9th graders read it w/o any parental approval.=20 Michele Hi Shannon, In my opinion, most 7th graders can handle this book, in fact it is very popular in my school. However, recommending it... may set your teacher up for a challenge by a parent. On the other hand, I had a parent donate 3 copies to my library because she felt it was a "must read". Who knows for sure??????? =20 Colleen Normandin Glassboro Intermediate School Glassboro, NJ cnormandin@glassboro.k12.nj.us <mailto:cnormandin@glassboro.k12.nj.us> Shannon -=20 I have it on the shelf and it is never in, but I would not recommend it for a class read. Jill Brown, LMS=20 Nardin Academy (1-8) Buffalo, NY buflib@yahoo.com <mailto:buflib@yahoo.com> I wouldn't get it for middle school and I have read it. Try Follett Titlewave or your catalogs and see what the reviews say and see if it is in Middle School Catalog and what grade levels it is recommended for. Ann Haines Librarian RET I taught middle school for 6 years (I'm home with little kids right now) and I JUST read Go Ask Alice over Thanksgiving for the first time. It is WAY too mature for 7th graders, in my opinion. Unless your school is exceptionally rough and inner-city type, I would say no way. It was a hard (emotionally) book to read - though spell-binding. I would definitely have the principal read it (or excerpts?) before someone in the building reads it. Kids mature a lot between 7th and 10th grades........ and I think 10th grade is about the earliest for this one. Kathy in San Antonio, TX Way to old for 7th grade. You will have parents up in arms. Don't fall for it Sue I agree many students may not understand it- you may want to suggest some alternate titles that are included in your collection D. Marger Line Mt. H.S. Herndon, PA marger@ruralife.net <mailto:marger@ruralife.net> I teach in a middle school and have "Go Ask Alice" on my shelves- several copies. It is rare to have a copy in. It could not recommend it for a class novel, but there are merits to the book. There have been no challenges. Ellen Hanson, Library Media Specialist Alderwood Middle School Lynnwood, WA hansone@edmonds.wednet.edu <mailto:hansone@edmonds.wednet.edu> I agree many students may not understand it- you may want to suggest some alternate titles that are included in your collection D. Marger Line Mt. H.S. Herndon, PA I taught middle school for 6 years (I'm home with little kids right now) and I JUST read Go Ask Alice over Thanksgiving for the first time. It is WAY too mature for 7th graders, in my opinion. Unless your school is exceptionally rough and inner-city type, I would say no way. It was a hard (emotionally) book to read - though spell-binding. I would definitely have the principal read it (or excerpts?) before someone in the building reads it. Kids mature a lot between 7th and 10th grades........ and I think 10th grade is about the earliest for this one. Kathy in San Antonio, TX Shannon -=20 I have it on the shelf and it is never in, but I would not recommend it for a class read. Jill Brown, LMS=20 Nardin Academy (1-8) Buffalo, NY buflib@yahoo.com <mailto:buflib@yahoo.com> Definitely not. =20 Cindy Denning=20 TWU MLIS student=20 Once and future librarian=20 Collinsville, TX=20 cynden744@aol.com <mailto:cynden744@aol.com> Hi... I read this book last year after I ordered it. I ordered it because we had an Accelerated Reader test on it. After I read it, I decided, while the kids would love it, I would get FAR TOO MANY parental complaints about it. It would not be worth the hassle. I really the content is MUCH too mature for your average m.s. student! Too bad, because the story is a real spell-binder! Hope this helps! Sherry Thompson, Librarian Highland Village Elem.--Lewisville, TX former librarian--Whitehouse Jr. H.S. Whitehouse, TX Hi Shannon, In my opinion, most 7th graders can handle this book, in fact it is very popular in my school. However, recommending it... may set your teacher up for a challenge by a parent. On the other hand, I had a parent donate 3 copies to my library because she felt it was a "must read". Who knows for sure??????? =20 Colleen Normandin Glassboro Intermediate School Glassboro, NJ cnormandin@glassboro.k12.nj.us <mailto:cnormandin@glassboro.k12.nj.us> Shannon,=20 My 7th grade Reading Teacher allowed her students to read it, matter of fact I did a book talk on it. It was a great book, yes it is for a mature audience, however, I feel that with the student population that I teach it was a worth while venture to allow them to read it. The only thing I did was, I said that my students needed to have a parental approval. My 9th graders read it w/o any parental approval.=20 Michele I wouldn't get it for middle school and I have read it. Try Follett Titlewave or your catalogs and see what the reviews say and see if it is in Middle School Catalog and what grade levels it is recommended for. Ann Haines Librarian RET ahaines2@mindspring.com Shannon, I remember reading it in grade 8 and it was okay for me. Kids today are more worldly at an earlier age than even the almost 30 years ago when I read it. I think it would be okay. Diane Gallagher-Hayashi Teacher-Librarian Stelly's School Saanich School District (63) Saanichton, British Columbia Canada, V8M 1S8 Diane_Hayashi@sd63.bc.ca <mailto:Diane_Hayashi@sd63.bc.ca> daichan@islandnet.com Hello Shannon, The book definately has mature language and themes. However, students=20 love it. I taught a remedial 7th grade class and the book was always=20 checked out of my classroom library. It is great for reluctant readers. I never used it as a classroom book or even recommended it to students. But once one student in the room read it, the word spread. Although it has mature discussions, it is real and many students want gritty=20 reality, especially in 7th grade when they are in such a state of=20 confussion. The book definately does not glamorize drugs and Alice does not end up OK so it's message is ultimatley to stay away from drugs=20 because once you start, it is very hard to leave it. I hope this helps. Diane Keyes Hit Posted by: Shannon McNeice Library Media Specialist Ellington Middle School Ellington, CT 06029 smcneice@ellingtonschools.net http://www.biblio.org/EllingtonMiddle =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. 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