[CALIBK12] (no subject)

[Bianchi, Cynthia]

Hi Judy and all,
 
I work at a middle school too and make individual assessments of each book about the subjects you mentioned and others--drugs, suicide, child abuse and animal experimentation, etc. Some things, like bodies and how they function are just a fact of life and I tend to put those on the shelves for all to see if they so desire. Yes, I hear titters as students "take a look." Some are even brave enough to check out a book like this to read at home. How you react to the students' curiosity is key. I have strong, clear memories of myself in Jr. High and the feelings of being nervous, embarressed and curious all at once. Materials on child abuse and animal experimentation require careful handling--images can be very disconcerting and shocking--remember, it's middle school we're talking about--students ages 10-14.
 
Other books on potentially devastating social problems--drug, suicide, piercings and tattooing, etc. concerned me more in that some of the photos of people using drugs were real and the people looked "cool." I was concerned that susceptible students might desire to emmulate the "cool" bevavior. I consulted Michael Ballue, a former drug counselor and now the Executive Director of the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse of the South Bay (Torrance, Ca.). He advised me to permit free access to these materials because these books show all aspects of drug abuse--the coolness, the escape from reality and the dangers from disease, criminal behavior  (incarceration) and death that drugs and alcohol addiction can lead to. Without these teaching materials, younger teens will have the counsel of no end of older teens and young adults who will show and tell them all about the "good" effects and indicate nothing about the dangers and ill effects of these substances and behaviors.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Cynthia
 
Cynthia Bianchi, TL
Ellen Ochoa Learning Center
Middle School Library
Local District 6
5027 Live Oak Street
Cudahy, Ca. 90201-4428
323-869-1327
cbb0290 at lausd.net