Thursday, October 30, 2008

Finding Just Right Books for Book Club

The last couple of books we read for book club have been a little challenging for some of the guys. The first one Silverfin was exciting, and at their level; but it really is a book for 5th grade and above. The second one is Mariah Mundi The Midas Box by C.P. Taylor. Content and theme is much more 3rd to 6th, but the vocabulary was challenging at times. It is a great book for teaching rich language.

I have started the quest for a few more suggestions for the book club. I have a small stack and have started to read them. I started with Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Kids hate when you laugh while reading silently. They want to know what is so funny. We had a little time on Tuesday before our Parade of Masks and the autumn party. The story is about a science fair at a wealthy middle school where only the wealthy students win. There is more. In the capital city of Krpsht (pronounced “Krpsht”) in a country named the Republic of Krpshtskan the president is planning to destroy the United States. If you couldn’t tell there aren’t many vowels in the language either. I enjoy the book but it is definitely NOT for 3rd and 4th graders. One reference to a “hot” student is OK, but five on one page and it on to the next.

3 comments:

Christine said...

I find your blog so interesting as I have a fourth grade son in a book club at school and write a kids lit blog myself. My son is currently reading Kate Di Camillo's "Because of WinnDixie" in book club which is a great book but seems a bit of an odd choice for a boys' book club. I enjoy reading about your selections. Check out my blog if you ever get a chance at http://www.thebookbench.blogspot.com/

Franki said...

Science Fair sounds good but maybe more middle school. Love the suggestions for books for boys. Will pick this one up soon and can't wait for more intermediate titles.

Carol said...

Kyle,
I keep trying to think of books you could read with your younger guys! I am doing "Boys and Chocolate" with my third grade boys two days a week at lunch. My "Girls and Chocolate" is totally engrossed in CLEMENTINE, but I have not found a good boy book yet. Keep me posted!