Tweens are a difficult age group to define. In between the transition from childhood to adolescence, tweens develop individually and at different rates and different times. However, just as most children cut teeth and most adolescents eventually learn to drive, so to do most tweens undergo similar milestones associated with the age group. Most tweens undergo physical changes in their bodies as they enter puberty; most tweens become less dependent on their family to fulfill their social needs (Andersen, p. 4-8). Most tweens develop psychologically and cognitively, becoming competent, confident, and connected and developing the ability to think abstractly (Lesense, p. 12-14). Though these changes occur naturally on a continuum from childhood to adolescence, these processes are less than painless for most tweens.
I was small and young in the fifth grade. My best friend Melina, on the other hand, was developing at a quicker rate. When she started "going" with a boy in class, I felt so sad. I thought I was losing my best friend. I thought she loved him more than she loved me. I didn't know where I fit in this new picture, and I didn't like it one bit. My mom, who had always been a source of great comfort, didn't seem to get it. She thought Melina was fast. She thought I should just play with someone else. She didn't seem to realize that my world was crumbling.
When I read Just as Long as We're Together (1987) by Judy Blume, I cried and cried and cried. I don't remember the plot line. I don't remember the names of the characters. The only thing I remember is that one of the girls felt exactly as I did. I wasn't alone anymore. And even though I was still sad, I wasn't afraid anymore. Reading it didn't alleviate the pain of growing up, but it did help me to relate to the world around me. The truth is that I was lucky to be a reader. If my librarian hadn't known my preferences and abilities, she may not have recommended Blume once I'd finished Cleary, and I may never have read the book that saved my fifth-grade self. I was lucky.
The problem, is that just when things are starting to change for tweens, many, many tweens stop reading. Reaching today's youth is probably the largest challenge facing librarians. But it is a cause that should not be abandoned. Librarians are well equipped to maintain collections that can help inform tweens of important, and often life saving information. Librarians can recommend the right books so that tweens will be better able to cope. Librarians are a positive external force that buttress tweens in their development.
Anderson, S. B. (2007). Childhood left behind: Tweens, young teens and the library. Serving Young Teens and 'Tweens. Sheila B. Anderson (ed.). Libraries Unlimited: Westbrook, CT.
Lesesne, T. S. (2006). Naked reading: Uncovering what tweens need to become lifelong readers. Stenhouse: Portland, ME.
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