Middle school library collections are curated for students in grades 6-8, which includes students younger than the intended YA audience. The inclusion of YA literature in middle school library collections ensures that the needs of all learners are met.
In the event your child brings home a book that is not a good fit at this time, please return the book to the library in exchange for a new title.
Middle school families must decide whether or not their student has access to YA literature by indicating their choice in the Infinite Campus portal due to the age range of middle school students. Your choice allows your student access for checking out any books that follow your “Yes to YA” or “No YA” guidance. No middle school library books may be checked out until parents make this choice for their middle school student. This clear decision helps library staff work with your family without requiring a personal conversation to meet your student’s individual needs. Please discuss your guidance with your student. Your choice for YA access can be updated in the Infinite Campus portal at any time.
For parents who want to provide more detailed guidance to their reader, four videos on the Using the Online Catalog page demonstrate how parents can search the school library catalog, filter for interest/audience level using advanced searching, and create personal library Destiny Collections of titles they recommend for their student. At all grade levels, ASD20 families can manage their child’s access to specific titles, authors, and topics by discussing their child’s needs with the school librarian.
Characteristics of Young Adult Literature
Library professionals define YA as a book written for an audience of 12-18 years old/grade 7+.
Young adult literature is written with more mature subject matter and includes complex sentence structure and language/vocabulary that reflects an audience in transition from childhood to adulthood. As interests and relevance change with each child’s development, so do their reading choices.
Questions a Middle School Reader might consider before checking out a YA Book
What do I want to read and why?
Who can I ask when I have questions about what I am reading?
Identifying Young Adult Literature in ASD20 Middle Schools
Communicating about young adult literature is intended to help each student find great books regardless of where they are in the developmental range of middle school students. Students and families will know that a particular book has a YA designation when they observe the items below.
In the Library:
A YA sticker on the spine of the physical book. “YA” labels on the spines of young adult books help students make informed selections.
Reminders about the YA designation are posted on circulation desks and throughout middle school libraries. The reminder states, “(A Young Adult) book may contain language, violence, or content best suited for a mature reading audience. Before you check these out, please make sure that it is okay with your family.”
Online:
In the Destiny Discover library catalog, patrons can search for YA titles using the advanced search tool and filtering by interest level (starting level: Young Adult to ending level: Young Adult). Using the same search terms but adjusting the interest level range to grades 6-8 will produce different search results.
Limit Access to Reading Materials in Destiny Discover
In D20, we acknowledge that parents make the best decisions for their children. To support your reader with increased family support in selecting great books, see the strategies below for searching, advanced searching, and creating Destiny Collections as a family. Parents and guardians may also grant/limit their child’s access to reading materials as they see fit.
Limit Access to Young Adult Titles
Contact your school librarian and request a note in your student's patron file to block access to YA titles. The note will be visible to anyone helping at the circulation desk. The student will be allowed zero checkouts listed as young adult titles. If your student wants to check out a YA book, contact the librarian to give permission for your child to check out that specific YA book. This allows checkout of YA titles with guardian approval only.
Block Access to All Titles
Contact your school librarian and request a note in your student's file to block all titles. The note will be visible to anyone helping at the circulation desk. Students can still check out textbooks and devices, but all library materials will be blocked in Destiny's Library account. A note will be placed in your child's patron account stating this limit is at family request and the date you requested this.
Identifying "Best Fit" Books for My Growing Child
Books for young adults play an important role in libraries, as they can help teens navigate emotions and the challenges of growing up. According to the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), these books often feature relatable characters, which may help readers feel less alone. Adolescence is a time when teens are balancing fitting in with developing their own identities, and YA literature can offer reassurance and a sense of connection.
At the same time, the impact of any book can vary depending on the reader and the content. While many YA titles promote empathy by presenting diverse perspectives, communities and families may differ in their views about what is appropriate for teens. These differing perspectives highlight the importance of parent choice and oversight, allowing families to make decisions that align with their values while still supporting students’ access to literature.
Overall, YA literature can support personal growth and understanding, while also contributing to conversations about values, identity, and society.