[LM_NET] TAR: Middle school contemporary classic fiction

[Jan Birney <stmark6614@YAHOO.COM>]

Hello All, 
  Well, I have recently done the clean sweep and weeded the fiction section in our 
middle school (grades 7 and 8) library. I've pulled most of the old, ugly, musty, 
gusty, neglected titles that have languished on the shelves for years. Our 7th 
graders do a Language Arts unit on classic fiction, and as I am replacing the 
Dickens, Twain, Bronte, Verne titles, I also want to update the classic fiction 
collection and expand its definition (I just refuse to believe that the only 
classic literature for children was written in the 19th century!). 
  So I'm picking your collective brain--what modern classics would add spark to my 
collection,  and chase away the groans when my 12 year-old urchins come for classic 
books? I know Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, and Gary Paulsen would be on the 
list--but they've read most of those. So what are some of the "new" classics that 
you would recommend to complement Melville, Cooper, and Carroll? 
  I'll post a HIT, and thanks in advance. 
  Jan Birney
   


Jan Birney, Library Media Specialist
Jockey Hollow Middle School
Monroe, Connecticut 06468
stmark6614@yahoo.com
                
---------------------------------
 Yahoo! Personals
 Single? There's someone we'd like you to meet.
 Lots of someones, actually. Yahoo! Personals

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------