Reference interview failures
A patron came in today asking for books for his 10- and 12-year olds on stealing and teasing animals, respectively.
I’m so impressed and glad the dad came to the library looking for information about these difficult issues, and I was sorely disappointed to find very little in the way of books that would address the animal cruelty issue at a level appropriate for a 12-year-old.
Every time I encounter this kind of situation, I think “Someone should write that book.”
(I realize that there is probably a book out there, but seriously, I couldn’t find it.)
Would you consider the situation described as animal cruelty?
I would’ve gone the “golden rule” route – I’m sure there are books about why it’s not nice to tease your sister, etc. The parents should be able to take it from there.
But really, if there are books like my Big Sister Takes Drugs, there should be books on why it’s a bad idea to be mean to puppies.
I know that there’s a book called “Tails Are Not For Pulling,” but that’s really more for Isaac’s age group, not a 12-year-old.
I seem to remember that the bullies in “Where the Red Fern Grows” are mean to the protagonist’s dogs … and later on one of them (bully, not dog) ends up with an axe in the chest. How’s that for a lesson on consequences? 😉
The conversation I had with my brother last night came to a similar conclusion. At that age, you can’t sit the kid down with a film strip or picturebook. Having them read something that invokes the awesome feelings one can have towards a dog would be a much better idea. I loved Where the Red Fern Grows.