Topic: Sneaking out

[Christina Soontornvat]

Is the subject of sneaking out not appropriate for upper middle grade? When I was in 6-7th grade, my neighbor and I would sneak out of my house and do very innocent things like climb up on top of our roof, or pretend to be ninjas. What do you think? Would a parent/teacher/librarian view a book where the characters sneak out and run around on a golf course at night as promoting deviant social behavior?

I appreciate your thoughts!

[austen]

I know this is something I did a lot in middle school (in the late 80s). We had a lot of abandoned houses we'd go to and a golf course too. I'm not sure if kids still do this... I wouldn't want my kids sneaking out, but I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with my middle grade reader reading a book about it. He reads plenty of books where the characters do things that I wouldn't want him to necessarily do.
Your example sounds very innocent and very appropriate for middle grade readers.

[AnnH]

When I was about 9 I read a short story in one of the kid magazines (can't remember which one), where the MC sneaked out to watch the sunrise.

Of course, that did inspire me to do the same thing! I rode my bike down to the end of the street where the dock was, watched the sunrise (was surprised at how chilly it was so early in the morning), then rode my bike up the road to the center of town and was surprised to see a large truck. I'd thought I'd be the only person up!

[MysteryRobin]

My friend's kids just did this. They were young - like 5-9, and they sneaked out to go play in the forest behind their house. (Not my idea of fun!) Their mom was furious - mostly with the 11 year old who didn't stop them or tell her about it. I think the content is fine.

[CaroleB]

I'm assuming it's not that uncommon for kids to sneak out. My kids did.

But, I'll add a true story. A friend of mine hung out her bedroom window to sneak a smoke.
(Yeah, I know...not acceptable!), but she fell out her window into the bushes and had to
ring the door bell to get back into the house.
Not exactly a "sneaking out" story, but kind of funny. And true.

Carole 

[JFriday]

Carole, that was funny. I can just see that in a movie!

I think the content is fine, too.

[Christina Soontornvat]

Thanks for the input, everyone! And it was nice to hear that the blueboarders were such rebels in their youth!