[LM_NET] Janet Evanovich, Part 1

[Janice Davies <jgdavies2004@YAHOO.COM>]

Last January I asked the listserv for their opinions about Janet Evanovich books. 
While most of the responses were favorable about putting her books in a high school 
library, there was enough caution that I felt I should read at least one of the 
books myself to decide. As a consequence I became hooked on Janet Evanovich and 
read the first 11 in the Stephanie Plum series. And I still am on the fence as to 
whether or not I should add the books to my collection. I will keep the books and 
recommend them to my faculty for now.
   
  I am reposting the responses in 3 parts. But I lost one of the posts -- I 
accidentally deleted it before I read it. Thank you to everyone who sent a response.
   
  Jan Davies, Library Media Specialist
  Laurel High School
  Laurel, Maryland
   
    My original question which I posted January 2006 - Someone has donated a very 
nice collection of books to my high school library including several titles by 
Janet Evanovich. Is this author
suitable for a high school library?
   
  From Denise - Yes, I love Janet Evanovich! If kids don't read her, the faculty 
will. 
I wish I had the whole collection.  She makes me laugh out loud. Enjoy.
   
  From Kathy - I personally love her books, but they have very explicit sexual 
situations in them, especially starting with book 4. So it depends on your school
population, but I would say no, they are not appropriate. Keep 'em and read
'em for yourself--they are a hoot!!
   
  From Linda S. - Yes, I personally enjoy Evanovich titles.  She is a wacky sleuth 
that 
has many humorous antics happen during her investigations.  I think they would be 
appropriate.

From GraceAnne - I think she is hilarious and funny and sexy. There is both sex and 
violence, but with a light touch. This is high school, I can't imagine a problem, 
but you might 
abt to check reviews on amazon or bn.com.
   
  From Cindy - I like Evanovich, but not as well as Sue Grafton, if you are      
familiar with those.  In Evanovich's books, Stephanie Plum is currently working for 
her cousin(?) as a bounty hunter.  There is a bit of violence but more importantly 
there are some sexual references.  I don't remember any overt sex scenes.  If you 
like mystery, it is a quick read
if you get a chance. 
Have you asked the staff, maybe English teachers, for their opinions?
Maybe your clientele would just gobble them up.  In my opinion, the
directness and content of "A Child Called It" and the others is much
worse than an Evanovich novel.
Hope that helps!!
  From Jill - I love Evanovich.  I would say they would be fine for high school - 
Really hilarious detective stories.
  From Jennifer - 
  I think so, but I am a HUGE fan of hers.  She does mention sex but not too 
descriptively.
   
  From Janet G. - I am an elementary librarian, but I have read them personally and 
they 
are pretty descriptive.  Read it yourself.  They are entertaining.
  From Deb - Her books are very, very funny, especially the ones beginning with a 
number.  I think grades 9-12 could handle them.  Accelerated Reader has 
all 11 of this set as AR books.

From Felice - I'm sure the faculty will appreciate her books. Stephanie Plum is 
hillarious and there is some sexy scenes but really funny cool action. 
Don't think her romance books with Charlotte Hughes is as acceptable. I 
read her all the time. I am just an elementary librarian who loves 
trashy adult novels
   
  From Debra - I love her books. I cannot imagine that your kids are not going to 
be 
ok with them, but they do refer often to s ex and one of the characters 
was a prostitute. The s ex scenes are not horribly graphic, but they 
are there. 

My concern would be your collection policy and what you allow as far as 
physical attraction goes.  They are well written and very funny. Lots 
of swearing to consider as well. 
  From Bun - I have read them all and am looking for #12. They do have language but 
nothing you don't hear in the halls at school. They are humorous and fun and I 
loved them all. Take a chance and put them into the collection. 
   
    
   
  From Reggie - Oh, I personally enjoy her Stephanie Plum series very much. How 
lucky 
you
are to get some donations! I think they'd be fine for a High School. We 
also
have a couple that were donated and they're often checked out. Haven't 
had
any complaints yet. I know that Stephanie and Ranger and Joe flirt a 
lot and
even "get it on" once in awhile but after some of the more graphic 
books
dealing with child abuse and rape, they're pretty tame.
   
  From Barbara - I have several of her mystery novels. The detective, Stephanie 
Plum, is
a riot...books are very popular, and appropriate.
  From Jill - I am hooked on these. They have a great sense of humor. There is only 
one that was filled with the f word that I would hesitate putting in the 
collection. 
I think older girls would enjoy them.
  From Jaime - The Stephanie Plum books are my personal favorites.  Every book has 
at
least one scene where I laugh until I cry.  She is Fabulous.  I had her
books in my previous library, multiple copies of all titles, and I 
could
not keep them on the shelves and the waiting list was 15 deep for every
book.  Her character development is rich, I feel that I know every one
well.  And Grandma Mazur!!!! What a character!  

Your kids will love them, read them yourself!  She is great!!!!!  
   
  From Lynn - That would depend on your library's mission, but I do know a lot of 
high
school students who LOVE the Stephanie Plum novels.  They are not too
graphic, and they are extremely funny!
  From Stephanie P.- 
  I would gladly put Evanovich in my library. She is soooooo funny! And not too 
racy. 


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