A mother of a girl going into middle school came into the library earlier this week. Her daughter no longer wanted to read “J” books, so the mother looked over the YA collection. She apparently did not like many of the titles that she saw. Maria suggested that we try to put together a short list of books that are on our shelves that would be appropriate for that in-between reader.
Even though this child didn’t want books from the “J” collection, there are many authors whose books are shelved in the Children’s Room that might be what this mother is looking for. For example Mildred Taylor and Cynthia Voight have written about children trying to make their way in the adult world. Of course, Bradshares, Paolini, LeGuin and McCaffery, who we shelve in YA, might also be “kinder and gentler” authors with a more adult edge that we could include.
Perhaps we could all come up with a short list of titles that we could feature that would appeal to both early middle school kids and their parents alike.