There is no clear definition of the specific ages within the tween category. Some authors include those as young as eight years, while others view nine as the starting point. As girls come to mature at earlier and earlier ages, the definition of tween is pushed far earlier than ever before. Some girls may identify as tweens at eight years, while other eight-year-olds may continue to behave as children. I define tween as between the ages of eight and fourteen years. However, the expression of this developmental stage varies from child to child. Consequently, the tween age range is only a blueprint.
Librarians need to understand that development does not come in a one-size-fits-all package. Just as collection librarians need to ensure that they include something to satisfy the majority of patrons’ tastes, so must young adult librarians remember that development varies widely. Consequently those librarians who work with youth between the ages of eight and fourteen years need to remain flexible with their recommendations. Ideally book selections should be tailored to each child. School and public libraries that serve these groups must ensure that a range of books for both young and old are available, and that collections are not overly weighted towards books for older readers. Library programming must also reflect a range of interests and developmental stages. Some tweens may prefer to attend children’s programs, while others may opt to attend young adult programs. Librarians must be prepared for any eventuality, and not pigeonhole tweens into one category.
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