I agree wholeheartedly with Suzanne: Donalyn has inspired me to do a better job of matching books to children. Because of a grade level change, I spent a great deal of time last summer reading kids' books. I read 20 and was proud of myself, but that was a small dent. I continued, albeit at a lesser rate, over the year and this summer, but I know the value of reading and KNOWING their books. One of my students told me that the best part of 5th grade was "how you always know just the right book for us." Of course, she was easy: an avid reader who is emailing me over the summer as we continue talking about books. The problem is that I really detest some of these books. I get about a quarter in and just want to read adult literature (I, too, am an avid reader). In addition to The Book Whisperer, I am reading Nancie Atwell's The Reading Zone. She is, of course, a huge proponent of self-selection and believes we need to read the kids' books. She reads them every weekend. At first I found this so discouraging because I want to read MY books (after all, I'm the one who stood at my UCLA graduation many years ago and announced, "Now I can read what I want.") But Atwell also admitted she doesn't read the genre she dislikes--and guess what? It's what many kids love: sci-fi/fantasy. Yay, I've given myself permission NOT to read those books and I'm much happier. I took another suggestion from Atwell and just yesterday went into my classroom to make a new book box labeled, "Room 42: We recommend." I am going to have kids put a stickie with a brief note on the books they LOVE. I'm pretty sure most will be Fablehaven and The Ranger's Apprentice, etc., the books they love and I can't bring myself to read. I was honest with my students last year that I wasn't a reader of fantasy (or vampires!), but other than Sharing in reader's workshop, I didn't give them a way to discuss those books. I'm hoping the book box will lead to more discussion (and make me feel less guilty). How do you read and recommend books? Judy _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.
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