Students Deserve the Choice

“The book which you read from a sense of duty, or because for any reason you must, does not commonly make friends with you.” William Dean Howells

I believe children who choose what they read are more likely to grow up to become adults who read books.

I believe children who choose what they read are more likely to read for pleasure.

I believe children who choose what they read are more likely to read for knowledge.

I believe that every student, every child, every boy, girl, kid, every where will, can, may choose their own books. It is their right. It is the teacher’s job to teach the children how.

Does the Newbery Award Matter to You?

I buy the Caldecott and Newbery books every year. I was surprised to read that there is any debate about the quality or popularity about Newbery books. I asked my nieces and nephews and own kids about their opinions. Their thinking is that the Newbery books are ‘fancy’, ‘sometimes right, sometimes wrong’ and ‘too always good books.’ As a teacher of literature I was surprised that the kids didn’t think that they were the best books of the year. link to Has Newbery Award lost its way?

What do your students think?