[CALIBK12] Query: TTYL (book) Any problems???

[BROGER MACKEY, LORI]

Sharon,

First, ask the parent if she has read the entire book, and try to read it yourself.  I will say that I have not read TTYL, but had it at my former middle school library and currently have it at my high school library.  It modestly circulates/circulated at both.  If you look at Follett's Titlewave, there are several reviews that indicate grade levels of 6-10 and 8-10.  The reviews are generally positive, and the book would seem appropriate for middle school.  If the book is not required reading, but rather self-selected, I would fight for the students' right to choose their own reading material.  It may be over the heads of some, but I am sure more mature subject matter is appropriate for some at your school, and as long as the book is a quality choice, it should remain available.  I would try to avoid the YA label and permission form if at all possible, as this restricts all students due to the complaints of a few (or in this case one).  

At the CSLA conference in November, there was a workshop on book challenges.  Perhaps the material is online at the CSLA website.  There is also information on the ALA website.  The best thing to do would be to form at committee to help you establish selection guidelines if there are not some already in place, and get a supportive group to help with a possible challenge.

Good luck,
Lori Broger-Mackey, Teacher Librarian
Cleveland HS, Reseda


-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of sharono761 at aol.com
Sent: Thu 1/31/2008 6:22 PM
To: CALIBK12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Query: TTYL (book) Any problems???
 

Dear friends...Have any of you at middle level had any formal or informal parental complaints re TTYL by Lauren Myracle (sp?)? I had a parent at the last board meeting last Tuesday night..(I was not there but my principal was and some kids whom I know well) stand up and complain about the "filthy "book her daughter brought home from the Thomas Jefferson Library (one of my two ms libraries).

Later, I really agreed with the parent (I have yet to see her and don't know her name) that it is not age-appropriate for our ms students. We pulled the MARC record and the AR quiz. I have no problem with that. If I had perused it carefully, I would not have put it on the shelf. Although, we have had the book for 5 years.

Now, I am thinking about labeling all our YA books and requiring parent permission slips returned. Jeff Vogt posted today regarding this..Has anyone done this before..labeled YA at the Middle Level (7th and 8th Only)?
Love to hear your stories...I have already suggested to our principal that we might do this.

TIA
Sharon Stockdale
Teacher-Librarian
MUSD?MLK & TJ?Middle schools
Madera.

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