[CASL-L] Teen Nutmeg Concerns

[Dawn Zillich]

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 at mylist.net] *On Behalf Of *Lynch, J
*Sent:* Friday, March 11, 2016 1:20 PM
*To:* CASL-L at 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
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