Friends, I got much terrific feedback on this question. Several people =
commented on the course and the population it is intended to target =
(students not headed for college, not taking college prep courses, but =
who wish to develop their reading backgrounds). There will be some =
diversity in the reading levels as well as the interest =
levels........it's still in development and it will be interesting to =
see how the class looks once course selection takes place. In any event, =
your ideas were most helpful, as usual. Some I had on my list, many =
were "reminders", things I had forgotten or didn't consider, many were =
new to me. Thank you all again for taking the time to share your ideas, =
I don't know what I'd do without you! As promised, the HIT =
follows.......
I had included Angela's Ashes, as well as titles by Jodi Picoult =
as she visited our school earlier this year and the students LOVED her =
for her generousity in sharing her "writing process" and her books.=20
*************************************
"Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay. Scares them at first because of the =
length, but the guys love it! Each chapter is almost an individual =
character study.
-"The Color of Water" A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother."--an =
outstanding biography.=20
"Finding Fish" by Antwone Fisher--another biography--man overcomes a =
boyhood of abuse in a foster home.
**************************
How about "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines.
*****************************
Check out the "100 All-Star Choices for Teens" list. This pamphlet is =
published by ALA and has listed 100 books published in the last 4 =
decades that are favorites with teens-these titles were chosen by teens =
and librarians.
*******************************
Speak (Laurie Halse Anderson), She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, Tuesdays =
with Morrie and A Child Called It - all quite popular here. Go Ask =
Alice is always good, but may be controversial in some districts. I =
also use the "Top 100 Books for YA" from the ALA list - there are some =
good ones there as well. I also personally liked Monster (Walter Dean =
Myers) and thought it would be good to use with A Lesson Before Dying =
(Ernest Gaines) - similar circumstances, different times and different =
results. =20
*****************************
I would add the following books:=20
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan This book is about a =
woman who kept poverty at bay by entering contests during the 1950's and =
1960's. It is written by her daughter, Terry, one of ten children.=20
The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story =
by Yvonne S. Thornton, Jo Coudert
Written by his daughter this book tells of a man "who was as clearheaded =
as he was ambitious and determined. Working two full-time jobs - and =
with the help of his equally remarkable wife, who worked as a cleaning =
woman - Donald Thornton formed his bright and talented girls into a =
rhythm and blues band that played Harlem's Apollo Theater, at the same =
time ensuring that each of them completed her education and rose to =
stand on equal terms with anyone, man or woman, black or white."- From =
the back cover
How about Ender's Game (Card), Holes (Sachar), Monster (Myers)?
****************************************
How about "Tuesdays with Morrie"?
*********************************
Purchase a series called Orca Soundings, short books, well written, =
lower reading level, powerful and full of teenaged angst! They cover =
topics like suicide, pregnancy, homosexuality, sexual harassment, boat =
people, problems between parents and teens etc. Not every book is really =
heavy - there is a range. I've never seen a series like this - it is =
the first high interest/low vocab stuff I've seen that is truly HIGH =
interest. I enjoyed most of the books enormously, was grabbed by the =
stories and wanted to know what happened next. There is a lot to talk =
about - they are great
discussion starters they kids will really want to discuss them, great =
beginning to lit circles. I loved Sticks and Stones - the story of how =
a girl deals with the story going around the school that she was easy. =
Outstanding.
Andrew Wooldridge is the rep. He sometimes sends out promotional copies =
if
you contact him.
andrew.wooldridge@orcabook.com
******************************************************
you might want to try the following ALA book list for relectant readers.
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks
**************************************************************
A personal predjudice -- no Rober Cormier. Many YA specialists praise =
him to the skys, but his books are unrelentling depressing. I don't =
think everything has to be flowers and sunshine, but I would hold off =
with Cormier until they are hooked.
*********************************
If you have girls in this class -- Sisterhood of the Traveling pants by =
Ann Brashere (sp) would be great! Also, for all The Body of Christopher =
Creed ,
What happened to Lani Garver (both by Carol Plum-Ucci) would also be =
great!
For a really quick reading, thought-provoking book try Stuck in Neutral, =
byTerry Trueman.
************************
you might add a graphic novel such as Maus or The Tale of One Bad Rat =
(Talbot). Particularly if you are dealing with reluctant readers a =
graphic novel study might spark some interest. The Sandman series is =
very good also---complex issues. The Tale ... has some discussion and =
teacher guides on the Internet as does Maus (won a Noble Prize)
Thanks again to all who responded...................EC
Eileen Culkin, Librarian
Inter-Lakes HS
Meredith, NH
eculkin@interlakes.org
"Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend, inside of a dog, it's =
too dark to read." -Groucho Marx
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