Hi Joyce,

First, let me preface that I have not read these books you mention but have questioned age appropriateness in past nutmeg selections myself. To answer your specific question, and no offense to the hard working librarians who serve on nutmeg committees, wouldn’t a book with a high school senior as the main character be more suited in the next level up (high school)? I’ve often felt like there should be a rubric for nutmeg that would help support committees in their selection process.

Just my two cents,

Dawn M. Zillich, librarian

St. Paul Catholic High School

"The old idea of the librarian as a sort of recluse closeted with his books and

interested only in them is the very antithesis of the modern librarian, who

must live with people equally with books, and who must also be keenly aware

of all that is going on in the world around him."

~Linda A. Eastman~ (Head Librarian of the Cleveland Public Library, 1918 to 1938)

From: CASL-L [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Lynch, J
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2016 1:20 PM
To: CASL-L@mylist.net
Subject: [CASL-L] Teen Nutmeg Concerns

Hello,

In anticipation of the May 1st introduction date for 2017 Nutmegs, I have begun reading the 10 intermediate and 10 teen titles that have been our middle school's summer reading program for the past 10 years. 

Two of the teen titles have rather mature themes that I feel uncomfortable recommending to my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and feel are more appropriate for high school. I do not advocate or condone censorship; however, there is a huge difference in having a book on a library shelf that's available for check out and recommending it for summer reading. Has anyone else read Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend (abduction of an autistic elementary student by his special ed teacher), or Swagger (sexual abuse of a high school senior by his coach leading to the student's suicide) and had similar concerns? I am in a quandary about what to do about these titles regarding summer reading. I am interested in what others think.

Thanks, 

--

Joyce Lynch
Library Information Teacher
Middle School of Plainville
150 Northwest Drive
Plainville, CT 06062
860-793-3250