I know some of you got to come in my room and some of you will get to see it tomorrow. One thing I hope that you noticed in my room was books. I cannot wait to continue to grow our library as this year continues. One thing I asked the students to do today when they were in my room was to find a book that they think they would like to read. This sounds like a simple task, but I think it is quite hard. Finding a book that is right for you can be just as hard as finding a pair of shoes that is right for you.
If you want to have a great conversation, talk about how you pick/find books. Do you have a favorite author? Do you get book recommendations from friends? Do you look for an interesting cover? Do you look for books that won awards? Do you use the Amazon feature that lets you know which books you will like based on other books you have ordered? Do you read books that were turned into movies? Do you read books about topics that interest you?
The better our students get at finding books that they like the more likely they will enjoy reading. I think students who do not like reading just have not found the right book. I have to work harder to find that one book that will unlock the joy of reading. For me I remember Mrs. Garland reading Where the Red Fern Grows aloud in fourth grade. That book hooked me. Then when I started to teach I found books like Because of Winn Dixie, How to Steal a Dog, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and A Snicker of Magic. These books along with countless others have allowed my love of reading to grow.
Share some of your favorite books that you read when you were in third or fourth or fifth grade. Maybe you remember reading The Indian in the Cupboard or Hatchet or The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. You could read these books aloud or just leave a copy out for the them to find.
I know that some of you may not share my love of reading. Try some of the books I mentioned above...I think you will find one that just amazes you. I suggest starting with The One and Only Ivan.
If you need some help finding books, don't forget our amazing librarians. Or you can call me or send me an email asking for some suggestions. Or you can also follow some great blogs that talk about books. I love the blogs A Year of Reading or the School Library Journal website. There are countless "kidlitosphere" blogs that can help you find amazing books.
Or you can also follow John Schu at @MrSchuReads or Colby Sharp at @colbysharp on twitter. These two have the most amazing tweets about books and authors.
Finding the right books is one of the most important parts of reading. Hopefully this year we can help all of our students find one book that they will remember. One book that will allow them when their fifth grade teacher asks them what is their favorite book to answer without a doubt.
I hope you are all having a great week and I cannot wait to get this year started.
Happy Reading.
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