Random memory: Sweet Valley High

[pne]

When I was in 11th grade, or thereabouts, our school library started a "Middle School" section with books geared towards pupils in grades 6–8. (Up till then, there had only been "Junior" (K-5) and "Senior" (6-12) sections.)

Those books included the Sweet Valley High series of books. For a lark, I started checking those out and reading them.

By the time I got to book 5 or 6, the librarian (who knew me fairly well; I spent a lot of time in the library) asked me not to read them any more :) I think it was something about "can't you read anything better? That's not really appropriate for someone like you", or along those lines.

I thought it was funny; I considered my reading them a kind of meta-joke, given the intended readership. I did quit after book 15 or so, though.

Comments

[pthalo]

when i was in first grade, we had trips to the school library once a week, and I always wanted to check out chapter books, but the librarians wouldn't let me because they felt they'd be too difficult for a first grader.

[pne.livejournal.com]

when i was in first grade, we had trips to the school library once a week

Same here. At least in second grade, too.

It was more story time at the beginning, I think.

I remember being frustrated because in first grade, we were allowed to check out one book a week (which he had to bring back next week during Library class), and I always got through my book much more quickly but wasn't allowed to check out another until next week.

I think the limit was two per week in second grade and no weekly limit after that (though probably a limit on how many you could have at once -- but if you were done with them the next day, you could return them and check out more). And you were only allowed to check out books from the Junior section while you were in Junior School, but I think I didn't have as much of a problem with that.

I'm trying to remember whether we were limited to a specific kind of book in first grade; I'm not sure but I think we might have been.

[pne.livejournal.com]

BTW, got your letters and postcard the other day; thanks!

[pthalo]

ooh, yay!