“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is a meme co-hosted by Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts. Just like #booksaroundtheroom, it is a way to share books you’ve been reading, reviewing, and loving during the last week. I read a lot, both on my own and with my two kids, Corbchops (1987 days) and The Iza (1232 days). I’m excited to hear what you’ve been reading.
On Friday, the Corbchops brought home a reading challenge. Some sort of prize for students when they have read 50, 100, and 150 days. Which, of course, means that he will be getting a prize 50 days from now. It reminded me of summer reading programs that “challenge” kids to read 15 hours, or two books, or whatever. Active readers do that in less than a week.
And the sad part is, of course, that the kids who don’t read will either (a) not bother, or (b) just fill in the log anyway (do you think they’d try to turn it in before 50 days have passed?). Some might be motivated, but 50 days of reading is a daunting number for students who hardly read at all.
To build readers, you have to build readers. Handing them a challenge without support doesn’t do much.
Anyway, we read every day at my house. Here’s what I’ve enjoyed during the last week:
Middle Grade:
I finished one middle grade novel last week.
- The Truth of Me, by Patricia MacLachlan. Nobody writes short and sweet like Patricia M.
Picture Books:
I read three new picture books last week.
- Alphabet Birds, by Philip Terzian. The author gave out this book to trick-or-treaters. :^)
- This Is the Rope, by Jacqueline Woodson and James Ransome. Nice story of a simple, but valuable, family heirloom.
- Dot., by Randi Zuckerberg and Joe Berger. Funny that a former Facebook executive wrote this. Must have inspired her.
Graphic Novels:
I read one graphic novel last week. I love graphic novels!
- Bad Machinery: The Case of the Team Spirit, by John Allison. It was OK. Fun to read Brit-speak.
AND
Right now When I finish this blog post, I’m reading:
P.S. Be Eleven, by Rita Williams-Garcia
SO
What are you reading?