-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Hit: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-4th title
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 12:31:09 -0600
From: Nancy Stiner <nstiner@mchsi.com>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Thanks for all the responses concerning the fourth book in the series --
The sisterhood of traveling pants
Following are the responses I have received to this date.
My decision would be not to put it in the middle school library.
H.S. only. There is an explicit sexual encounter with a
broken condom within the first 60 pages and the character
suffers repercussions from the incident throughout the
rest of the book.
I would agree that Forever in Blue is more appropriate for high school- 3 of
the girls have sex, and Bridget has a thing for a married man. That doesn't
go too far, and the sex isn't descriptive, but it's definite. And in Tabby's
case, the condom breaks and she has the pregnancy scare. At this point, the
girls are almost sophomores in college, so they are definitely older than
the middle school crowd anyway.
This book is very mature compared to the
other books. Two of the girls do have sex for the first time and
another kisses a married man. I would say high school only. I had a
few sophomores that said they were shocked at how different the girls
were from previous books.
I just finished reading the fourth Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
books, and I have decided not to purchase it for my middle school media
center. The girls are about nineteen years old and in college in this
book. My school is in a conservative community, and I don't think it
is appropriate for my community. I think it is definitely a book that
you should read first if you are considering it for a middle school
collection.
The reason I chose not to purchase it is the sexual
content. One of the girls has sex with her boyfriend (while they are
both drunk), and it is explained in a fairly explicit way. After this
happens, she believes she is pregnant. One of the other girls had a
one night stand type of relationship with a guy. This having been
said, I enjoyed the book. I just do not think that it is appropriate
for the majority of my students.
I read the book last week. The girls are
in college in this book and the sexual maturity of the book makes it
more high school.
Good question. I thought long and hard about putting the book in my
school. I am a K-8. I ended up putting it on my YA shelf for grades 7 &
8 only. Once the movie came out (I didn't see it) I had girls as young
as grade 4 asking to read it. I said to go to the public library. I
really felt uncomfortable about the Bee/ Soccer Coach liaison. The books
have circulated nicely but not crazily and I have no one asking me when
we're getting the fourth book. The girls who loved the series when they
first came out are in high school now and that is where the book
belongs. It's a good ending to an entertaining series, but the
situations these college age girls are facing are more appropriate to
high school. I don't think I will put it out, but will continue to steer
interested patrons to our public library.
Positive Comments:
I have it in my middle school collection (grades 7 and 8). I read it
myself, and it's fine. Yes, the girls have sex, but there is nothing
graphic or nasty about it. I enjoyed it and my girls really like it.
I have 3 copies and can't keep them in.
The fourth book is a bit mature (as are the girls) but I did choose to put it in my
middle school library. It certainly deals with issues that are on the minds of the
girls (especially my 8th graders). And I really like to have a complete set
available.
I have it in my middle school. I admit I read it before I put it on the shelves
and found it to be acceptable.
--
Nancy Stiner
7-12 Media Specialist
Iowa Falls Community Schools
Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
School Email: nstiner@po-1.iowa-falls.k12.ia.us
Home Email: nstiner@mchsi.com
Library web site: http://hs.iflibraries.com/
School web site: http://www.iowa-falls.k12.ia.us/
--
Nancy Stiner
7-12 Media Specialist
Iowa Falls Community Schools
Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
School Email: nstiner@po-1.iowa-falls.k12.ia.us
Home Email: nstiner@mchsi.com
Library web site: http://hs.iflibraries.com/
School web site: http://www.iowa-falls.k12.ia.us/
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