[LM_NET] mature books in middle school collections

[Liz McMahon <lmcmahon@RSU18.ORG>]

A parent has expressed concern with her 6th grader having access to more
mature books popular with 7th/8th graders. The book that prompted the
discussion is Letters from The Inside by John Marsden (listed as grade 8
level). It has been in our collection for a number of years and was a
hold-over from when we were only a 7th/8th grade school. Balancing the
needs of voracious readers and reluctant readers and younger readers is
quite a chore! I do know that my purchasing has changed somewhat now that
6th grade is in our building but now am  faced with possibly "identifying"
books that may be too mature for 6th graders. Where does one draw the
line? Are some topics off limits? The age of the characters is not always
an accurate rule of thumb either. What is popular with the kids is often
on the edge....do we?....don't we? When I try to decide where to start
addressing the issue it quickly becomes overwhelming. How do we address
these issues with parents yet still provide for the students. I am trying
very hard to keep my collection open and accessible to all students so
they can find what they want and need.  Fortunately I have the best
principal ever and he is with me 100%. What do you do in your middle
school libraries? Do you avoid the "edgy" older fiction by not purchasing?
Do you put a "YA" or "Mature" sticker on the binding to inform the
browser? Do you go so far as to have a separate section for 8th graders?
Or do you have some other creative way of dealing with this issue? I would
very much appreciate hearing how you handle this issue. 

Thanks for the help. 

Liz

Liz McMahon
Library Media Specialist
Messalonskee Middle School Library
33 School Bus Drive
Oakland, ME 04963
207-465-2167
lmcmahon@rsu18.org

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