I asked whether or not The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks was appropriate for middle
school libraries. Interestingly, the responses were split as to whether or not it
would be appropriate. This book is at our high school library, so I'll let my kids
ILL it rather than purchase it for our own library. Other responses follow:
I have the book in my 7-12 library, but I don't recall many grade 7-8 students
checking it out. And since I don't keep circ stats other than total check-outs, I
just have to rely on memory.
I am thinking of putting my own copy in the library. I don't think there would be
a problem doing so.
We have it and kids have read it and assured me that it's pretty tame--that being
said, I have not read it but plan to--also, I did look at reviews on SLJ and Amazon
that said it was okay for this grade.
I was also considering this for purchase. I am reading it right now and am not too
far into it but there are parts of it that talk about teens sleeping together.
Ronnie and Will are high school students and their friends often refer to sex. It
is not explicit but enough for me to decide not to purchase for middle school. I
would leave it to high school libraries.
our middle schools have it.
Party scene, but think that was it
I personally would not place this book in a middle school library. Content and
language would be a great read for teenagers. I would place in a High School
Library grades 9 and up. My local library as well as the Library of Congress has
the book classified as adult. For curiosity, I scanned over Nicholas Sparks
website and found his teacher resource books recommended for grades 11 and 12. (
http://www.nicholassparks.com/teacher-mdr.pdf )
Megan Earley
Library Media Specialist
Roosevelt Middle School
574-583-5552 ext. 3348
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