Thank you to all of the people who responded to the question of whether
the Twilight series should be included in a middle school library.
Overwhelmingly, most middle school librarians have it in their
collections. At this point, I am still undecided about whether to
purchase it, but your responses are helping me reach a decision. Thanks!
Amy Palaia, LMS
2Rivers Magnet Middle School
East Hartford, CT
apalaia@crec.org
hillamy21@hotmail.com
---------
Hi Amy,
I too had
reservations about having the books in the middle school library. I thought
that it was too intense for MS students to understand. We read it in our book
club made up of public, MS and HS librarians in the area and only three other
librarians agreed with me about not having it at the MS. We have them in our HS
library, and they stay out all the time. I've had several middle school
teachers talk to me about them (I personally loved reading them) and have 3 of
our MS language arts teachers recommend them to their students, so I finally
caved this fall and ordered #1-3 for the MS library. So many of the students
have been asking for them, and many more are carrying them around reading them
anyway - ironically my order just came in from Baker and Taylor and we got
Eclipse but not the other two! So I figure I'm going to have to just go to the
local book store and pick up a copy of the first 2. I went to see the movie
with 8 MS teachers Friday after school and we loved it. Our area is somewhat
conservative
(we're a small town between Cleveland
and Akron) - for the longest time
the public library refused to buy the Gossip Girl series - but because of the
wide range of students reading and asking for the books, and because of the 3
teachers actively pushing the books with their MS students, I gave in.
So good luck with
your decision! I've decided it really wasn't worth all the angst I gave it -
Julie Paladino, media specialist
Hudson
Middle School
Hudson
Ohio
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Hi:
OK-I would not put
it in the middle school library.
There are enough other books out there for them to read
and just because it is the latest "buzz" book that
doesn't
mean we have to make it available to those that are not
quite ready for it.
Just my
opinion--but then I have been known to spoil
many a child's fun by being too strict. This would be my
choice as a parent though.
Carol Van Brocklin
Librarian
Faith Academy-Mindanao
Davao City, Philippines
carolannvan@motimail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Amy,
I have the series in my grade 6-8 library. No problems
so far. Judi
Judi O'Brien (Judith_O'Brien@nksd.net)
Librarian
Davisville Middle School
200 School Street
North Kingstown, RI 02852
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have the first 3 in the series in my 6-8 MS. I think they're very tame and
most kids see a lot more on TV and in movies. The 6th graders in my school are
the ones that have the most names on the hold list. I think they're all excited
because the movie just came out. Interestingly, most do not go on to read the
subsequent books in the series. I think they just want to be part of the
phenomenon and maybe don't enjoy the books as much as older kids would. I won't
buy the last one though based on how my 15 yo daughter described the book. They
can take that one out of the public library if they want it.
***************************
Juliann T. Moskowitz
Teacher Librarian
Seymour Middle School
Seymour, CT 06483
Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? ~ Henry Ward
Beecher (1813-1887)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Amy,
I have the first three books in my library and I am definitely in a
conservative area. I cannot keep Twilight on my shelves, I am sure some of the
popularity comes from the hype of the movie coming out. I have been most
surprised that I have as many boys wanting to read it as the girls. I serve
grades 6-8, I have noticed with my students they really get into books that are
set in high school, maybe that is part of the appeal.
LeeAnna Mills, NBCT
Library Media Specialist
Northside Middle School
19130 Northside
Parkway
Northport, AL 35475
205-342-2740
FAX: 205-339-4680
School email:lmills@tcss.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Amy,
I read the same reviews you read and came to the same conclusion. And
some of our 6th graders are getting the books elsewhere and reading
them. Fine. I am a knee-jerk, flaming
liberal. However, inappropriate
is inappropriate.
Best regards,
Martin Swist (from Fairfield, Conn.)
mswist@asij.ac.jp
Middle School LMS
Former Middle School XC Coach
The American School In Japan
1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo
"The heart is a little to the left." (Rev.) William Sloane Coffin
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Amy,
I do not have it for the same reason. I have swayed back
& forth with this decision and don't know what to do either!
Donna W. Young
Library Media Specialist
Powhatan Jr. High School
Powhatan, VA.
donna.young@powhatan.k12.va.us
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We have all 4 in all
3 MS in Madera. Ca
We labelled it YA and treat it accordingly making sure the student knows what
the books contain
I cannot imagine not providing it for the students. At one of my MS we
We hv 4 copies of ea one
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have the first three but have told the girls that the
library will not be getting Breaking Dawn.
I do have 6th graders that have already the 4th.
Kalen Schloyer
Library Media Specialist
Birchland Park Middle
School
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
kschloyer@eastlongmeadowma.gov
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, I am an elementary librarian but my oldest is in 6th
grade. She saw someone this summer reading the books and she was
interested in the series so I bought the first book, which my husband read
first. My daughter enjoyed the book and she also read the 2nd one.
I have since purchased the last two in the series but she will not have them to
read at this time. My mom currently has them and she's going to read them
and at the moment, my oldest has several other books that she is and has been
reading. She told me, and I did hear from someone else who goes to the
school, that you need to have your parent's permission to check out the books,
I just asked her and she's not sure if 6th graders need permission for all of
them or for just the last 3 because she didn't need it since we had them.
I did have a student ask about the books one day and I told her that we would
not be getting the books in the library and I did have someone look for them in
the recent book fair and I'm so glad that they didn't send them.
My daughter also told me that there are some books that are labeled for 7th and
8th graders and that to check them out you need written permission.
I hope that you get some good ideas and suggestions.
Nancy
Nancy Gatti
LMS
PB Smith Elementary
Warrenton, VA
ngatti@fcps1.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Good Evening,
I have read the Twilight Saga. I have reread Twilight and
now rereading New Moon for my book club. I need to refresh my memory on
some of the facts.
I am a middle school librarian. I have the complete saga in
the library. Actually all the copies are out and I have many holds for the
books. I agree Bella's relationship with Edward is intense. Edward is a
gentleman, he puts Bella off from going too far. Even though he desires her
greatly. This theme runs through all the books but also Jacob has strong
feelings for Bella as well which increases as the saga continues into Breaking
Dawn.
I went to see the movie this afternoon and there was a good
mixture of all age groups in the theater but i do believe there were more young
middle schoolers in the audience then any others, that could be because it was
a 4pm show.
I had two parents contact me about the twilight saga.
One parent thanked me for holding book club meetings for each of the
books and the other parent wanted to know if there was another series
similar to Twilight that her 6th grader could read. i did suggest another
fantasy series that didnt have a vampire theme. I do think everyone likes a
good soft romance. Especially when it proves chilvry isnt dead.
I would put it in the middle school library.
Nancy Goodrich
nancy.goodrich@loudoun.k12.va.us
River Bend M S
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