From: Lisa Von Drasek <lisav>
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 15:44:07 -0400

This has been a terrific discussion and I am loving the recommendations of classic and new titles. I always select a new book that I've read over the summer to read aloud to our 3rd and 4th graders. Sometimes I am lucky enough to stumble on something that begs be read aloud. My criteria is usually short complete chapters. A book that the students wouldn't find on their own. One that is on or above their own reading levels. For me since I am reading aloud to half groups, one that I can stand reading again and again. Strong characters and plot so that the students can remember what's going on. I have had times when I had selected a book, started to read it aloud and then found I was unbelievably bored by the 3rd chapter. I just tell the students that I had made a mistake and that they were welcome to read the rest on their on.

Looking back at the last 7 yearsElla Enchanted- took forever but was worth the journey. Harry Potter- yeah I know but I read it in galley and thought it was just a nice , humorous fantasy- And yes I read it aloud to 4 classes and they hung on every word- one of the best classroom management tools. Because of Winn Dixie- perfect- I don't do voices but the words on the page created definitive sense of place. the students couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The Trolls- Laugh out loud funny. Love that Dog- Our kids were riveted. Amber was Brave and Essie was Smart- This book was rich in reader's response activities. We wrote poems, recipes, plans, made neighborhood maps, wrote and talked about our favorite comfort objects, wrote and talked about siblings, hard times, feelings, missing parents, taking care of ourselves. And last year- the perfect- Tale of Despereaux. I found my self marveling as I was reading aloud-at the ease of the experience. The rhythm of the sentences are an example of the fine art of punctuation. The words laid out precisely on the page to create meaning and inflection. Alas one eight year old did correct me on my pronunciation of adieu.

This fall our fourth grader will hear The Teacher's Funeral: A comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck. I can't wait.

I am still looking for something new for the 3rd graders. I gave their teacher Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen, Illustrated by Brian Biggs.

Favorite poetry read aloud Kristine O'Connell George- Little Dog Poems, Little Dog and Duncan and the new Hummingbird's Nest Doug Florian- Mammalabilia
 Prelutsky- The Dragon's are Singing Sonya Sones- Stop Pretending - for 8th graders Nikki Grimes - the classic Danitra Brown and for Middle schoolers the new moving and touching and healing What is Goodbye? And for our young adults I can't wait to share Walter Dean Myers Here in Harlem: Poem in Many Voices which will be released in October from Holiday House.
  For youngers one of my favorite collection is Talking Like the Rain : A Read-to-Me Book of Poems, by X. J. Kennedy

Last year I enjoyed sharing Moon, Have You Met My Mother: The collected poems of Karla Kuskin.

Does this discussion include audio books? I just listened to The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler, Listening Library. It is wonderful to hear a book aloud when read by processionals who let the story come through. Our audio collection is well-loved and our teachers and parents understand that listening to a book is not cheating.


Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education School for Children Pre-K- 8 610 West 112th St NY NY 10025

lisav at bnkst.edu

212 875 4452
Received on Thu 12 Aug 2004 02:44:07 PM CDT