Horror for Newbies
Aleap asked this question about I'll Give You the Sun:
Would this title be acceptable to recommend to middle schoolers or is this intended for older young adults?
Holly I teach 5th/6th grades, and I do not believe in censoring. At the same time, I'm very careful with how I curate my classroom library. I do "censor," i…moreI teach 5th/6th grades, and I do not believe in censoring. At the same time, I'm very careful with how I curate my classroom library. I do "censor," if you will, books for racist content (i.e., Little House on the Prairie, The Indian in the Cupboard) -- these books should either not be read at all, or only be read with a mentor who will discuss the racism and help the child think critically about it. Thus, I don't want them on my shelf where any child can just pick them up and read them uncritically.

(Full disclosure: the Wilder books are some of my favorites, but I read them aloud to my own children and thus was able to either elide certain parts, change them, or discuss them.)

I also "censor" for mature content because I do not want a parent on the phone with my principal about a book their child read from my classroom that they feel is inappropriate.

My rule of thumb is that if the book is rated for ages 12+ (since I teach ages 10-12) and I haven't read it (and therefore formed my own opinion about its appropriateness), it doesn't go on my shelf.

I *LOVED* I'll Give You the Sun -- the writing is gorgeous -- and I had it on my shelf when I taught 10th/11th grades. Clearly it's inappropriate (by my definition) for my 5/6th graders, but I wouldn't even put it on my shelf if I taught 8th-graders, even though I do think many 8th graders would love it and could handle the mature content.

Hope this helps.(less)
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I'll Give You the Sun
by Jandy Nelson (Goodreads Author)
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