Joan Moser
I just finished the book Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It was one of those thought-provoking-can't-put-it-down-I-don't-want-it-to-end types of books for me. As soon as I was done, I immediately went in search of another Neal Shusterman book to read next.
This process of finishing a book and immediately wanting another by the same author made me take pause and think about book choice for the students we teach. For many of the readers in our charge, getting them started on a series or author can mean the first step to a summer of reading book after book. Reading aloud the first book is series can inspire students to fall in love with the characters, enough so that they will search out the next in the series to read.
If you are finding the school year coming to the end and aren't sure you have time to expose kids to a variety of authors or series; spend some time with your class making a list of all the books you have read aloud this year. Identify those on the list that are part of a series or written by an author who has other offerings. Wanting to bump up the list a bit more? Who says we have to read the whole book to our students? Often times just reading the first couple of chapters in order to introduce students to the characters and get the gist of the book is enough to peak their interest to continue on.
Once a list of series or authors is generated, print it out, let students circle their favorites and send it home to be posted on the frig.
Has summer break already started for your students? Kids of all ages love to get mail. Sending them a letter reminding them of the authors or series you read together as a class this school year, as well as some others, is a delightful way to let them know you were thinking of them and hopefully a gentle reminder to read this summer!
So now, back to my next Neal Shusterman book.