CCBC-Net Archives
[CCBC-Net] Percy Jackson series
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Steward, Celeste <csteward>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:24:58 -0700
Erlene--"Anyway, Percy is full of flaws, has great adventures, is a misfit, and yet is charming! I can't wait to see what happens as he turns 16!"--I couldn't agree more!
I saw Mr. Riordan address a group of librarians last year. I knew instinctively that he must have been a fabulous junior high teacher. He was so animated and charming--in the perfect combination to work with this most challenging age group. Some of the best teachers at my kids' middle school have this same unflappable nature, an asset for anyone in youth services.
What's so remarkable about the Percy Jackson books is that the subject matter and the pacing of the action work well with the target age group. Just as junior high kids are being introduced to mythology in the classroom, here's a good yarn based on, of all things, a topic they are learning in school.
The unfolding of the story appeals to a significant number of junior high students too. For kids adjusting to the middle school workload, and possibly balancing other activities as well, fast and furious reading material meets a need. The action moves along at a fast enough clip so that even reluctant readers can squeeze in a chapter painlessly.
After reading these, I found them well-written, absorbing to the point that I wanted to know more about a non-fiction topic, and I marveled at the amount of kid appeal--this is exactly what good literature for children is, IMHO.
Celeste Steward, Librarian IV, Collection Development Alameda County Library 2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Killeen, Erlene Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:16 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Percy Jackson series
I adore the Percy Jackson series for several reasons. First it is a really fun read! Secondly, my son, Robert, 22 yrs. old, with extreme adversion to reading and great disabilities in the skill, made the leap into being a reader with the series last year. Now he can't get enough fiction from that middle school - young adult level of texts. He's now on the Alchemist!! Finally, we can talk books! I also think that they will draw readers back into mythology -- seeking the old stories, researching the history of the tales, and learning about those ancient cultures a bit. They also can help readers think about religion and beliefs. Much like Harry Potter led those who have faith or wonder about it to compare the beliefs from one group of people to another. It is always good to examine your personal beliefs and the middle school years (and up) are usually when people do that type of thinking! Anyway, Percy is full of flaws, has great adventures, is a misfit, and yet is charming! I can't wait to see what happens as he turns 16! I hope I don't have to wait too long.
Erlene Bishop Killeen erlene.killeen at stoughton.k12.wi.us (new this school year!) Stoughton Area Schools 1601 West South Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-5181
________________________________________
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Thu 23 Oct 2008 02:24:58 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:24:58 -0700
Erlene--"Anyway, Percy is full of flaws, has great adventures, is a misfit, and yet is charming! I can't wait to see what happens as he turns 16!"--I couldn't agree more!
I saw Mr. Riordan address a group of librarians last year. I knew instinctively that he must have been a fabulous junior high teacher. He was so animated and charming--in the perfect combination to work with this most challenging age group. Some of the best teachers at my kids' middle school have this same unflappable nature, an asset for anyone in youth services.
What's so remarkable about the Percy Jackson books is that the subject matter and the pacing of the action work well with the target age group. Just as junior high kids are being introduced to mythology in the classroom, here's a good yarn based on, of all things, a topic they are learning in school.
The unfolding of the story appeals to a significant number of junior high students too. For kids adjusting to the middle school workload, and possibly balancing other activities as well, fast and furious reading material meets a need. The action moves along at a fast enough clip so that even reluctant readers can squeeze in a chapter painlessly.
After reading these, I found them well-written, absorbing to the point that I wanted to know more about a non-fiction topic, and I marveled at the amount of kid appeal--this is exactly what good literature for children is, IMHO.
Celeste Steward, Librarian IV, Collection Development Alameda County Library 2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Killeen, Erlene Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:16 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Percy Jackson series
I adore the Percy Jackson series for several reasons. First it is a really fun read! Secondly, my son, Robert, 22 yrs. old, with extreme adversion to reading and great disabilities in the skill, made the leap into being a reader with the series last year. Now he can't get enough fiction from that middle school - young adult level of texts. He's now on the Alchemist!! Finally, we can talk books! I also think that they will draw readers back into mythology -- seeking the old stories, researching the history of the tales, and learning about those ancient cultures a bit. They also can help readers think about religion and beliefs. Much like Harry Potter led those who have faith or wonder about it to compare the beliefs from one group of people to another. It is always good to examine your personal beliefs and the middle school years (and up) are usually when people do that type of thinking! Anyway, Percy is full of flaws, has great adventures, is a misfit, and yet is charming! I can't wait to see what happens as he turns 16! I hope I don't have to wait too long.
Erlene Bishop Killeen erlene.killeen at stoughton.k12.wi.us (new this school year!) Stoughton Area Schools 1601 West South Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608-877-5181
________________________________________
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Thu 23 Oct 2008 02:24:58 PM CDT
