Middle School Librarians - Teachers

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Comment by Jeanne B. Procell on December 6, 2009 at 8:50am

My school is 5-8 so five or six years ago in an effort to include more YA and adult titles I started labeling books YA that I think are more appropriate for 7th and 8th grade because of their subject matter (a few are even labeled 8+). I use reviews in SLJ and Booklist to help me determine a grade level. If a 6th grader wants to read one they get a signed permission slip from their parent/guardian that I keep on file just in case. I have not had any problems in the years I have been doing this and it has made it possible for me to include some excellent YA titles. The kids think we have an excellent collection and always check our school library before going to the bookstore.

Comment by Sandy Bernahl on September 19, 2009 at 11:30am

Sorry, I meant your school tastes l might range a bit differently. My fingers get in the way.

Comment by Sandy Bernahl on September 19, 2009 at 11:28am

I agree. I often find my 8th graders like novels, classics included. 2nd they have indicated on an 8th grade reading survey, they like magazines. 3rd they like books with humor. The all time favorites from 6-8th grades were the Potter series, Twilight, and Paulsen's books. Your school tastes might rage differently.

Comment by Joan Collins on September 15, 2009 at 1:58pm

Some middle school kids are ready for adult books and others remain stuck in elementary choices. What you give an incoming 6th grader is very different from what you hand a graduating 8th grader.

Comment by Joan Collins on September 15, 2009 at 1:56pm

I've got lots of tried and true suggestions in my book entitled Motivating Readers at the Middle Grades.

Comment by J.Robertson on July 27, 2009 at 4:27pm

Hi Jamie,
I would suggest that you find some blogs written by librarians that you've come to trust. There are lots of reader's advisory kinds of blogs out there that can be quite useful. You can find mine at http://web.me.com/janicerobertson
Although I've enabled a commenting feature, I actually just maintain the blog for myself. When I want to remember a little bit about the book, and I'm at school, I just call up the web and scroll through the archives. On days when I want to do a quick book talk, but don't feel like talking, I play one of my passionate podcasts for the kids instead. You're welcome to use it if it helps you. I don't usually post information about any books that are not appropriate for grade 6-8 students, and if I did, I'd include a warning re. language or sensitive content etc. unless it's so famous that I think everyone knows about it already. The books that are mentioned in a podcast are different from the ones on the main page. Hope that helps.
If you were actually asking how to tell if the book is okay for middle school, the most important thing is to get to know your community and your students as readers. I've worked in schools where I absolutely wouldn't have a certain book on the shelf, and I've worked in other schools where it's not a problem at all. I find that in some schools the kids in grade seven are 12 going on 18, in some schools they're 12 but could pass for 8, and in some schools they're 12 and act like they're 12.
I have noticed that students in general don't seem to like to read about anyone who is younger than them. Even if the book is perfect for their reading level, and the content contains a great story, as soon as they read that the main character is in grade four, they're not as interested in the book as they previously were. Also I've noticed that tougher neighborhoods seem to be more lenient regarding language. I try to read everything I put on the shelves and depending on the school, if it's a great story, I'll allow minor swear words like "shit" if it contributes to the character development. I try not to have books with the "f" word. We're an ESL school, and it's really not part of the vocabulary I'm anxious to have the students develop. I know it sounds like censorship, but it's what I'm comfortable with - you have to know your population.

Comment by Cynthia Alvarado on July 27, 2009 at 3:44pm

It is difficult because some students are really ready to move on to adult titles and others would just as soon continue reading Goosebumps. I try to keep a balance between buying all the great, but more mature themes I would like to see the students read and realizing that they will read more if it is easier and more familiar to them.

Comment by Jamie Isenhour on July 27, 2009 at 2:59pm

I have recently moved from high school to middle school and am finding that deciding appropriate new books for this age group is difficult! Any hints out there??

Comment by Jen Spisak on May 27, 2009 at 6:50pm

Just started a library blog recently http://jenother.blogspot.com

If you have any suggestions please let me know!!

Comment by Gayle Keresey on May 27, 2009 at 2:53pm

Thanks for sharing your bog, Sandy. :)

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