From: Melissa Techman <mtechman_at_k12albemarle.org>
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:43:34 -0400

This is my 1st time to post anything and I hope that this month's subject will allow this loose classification re crossover literature. As a parent of an 8th grader, I'm not thrilled with the choice of Wish You Well, David Baldacci's adult historical fiction novel, for a whole grade reading selection. It got good reviews, although I notice the book blurbs leave out the part of Booklist's review that says it should be quite popular with his fans, if they can get past the overwrought prose. Hey, maybe it's a teachable moment for the meaning of "turgid prose"! There are so many good books that could have been chosen, whether classic "don't leave childhood without reading this" choices or new popular novels that the students would like better. (Reports from the trenches indicate a very low level of excitement with Bacldacci's book.) I won't exempt my child this time, although I do regret the teaching time spent on it. Do any of you have sources or suggestions for middle school crossover choices? Please forgive m e if someone posted such a source last week and I missed it, thanks so much, I'd like to give suggestions to the head of English for the school, Melissa

Melissa Techman, MLS Librarian/Tech Lead Teacher Broadus Wood Elementary School, 185 Buck Mtn. Rd, Earlysville, VA 22901 434-973-3865 mtechman_at_k12albemarle.org Twitter: @mtechman
Received on Sun 11 Oct 2009 06:43:34 PM CDT