Nurturing Literacy

As promised, today’s post will offer fictional gift suggestions. Let me say at the outset, that most of these books fit into the “classic” category. They are tried and true reads that have delighted readers for years. Check them out and see if they would be a good fit for a youngster (or even adult) on your list.

Keep in mind that rich fictional literature is a mirror to real life. It enables the reader to try on and reflect upon different identities and worlds, to build compassion, to consider another’s perspective and to lose oneself within the pages of an engrossing tale. Lots of bang for your buck with a gift like this!

FICTIONAL GIFT SUGGESTIONS

ANTHOLOGIES:

From One Experience to Another (edited by M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss:                              I first became acquainted with this anthology when I taught middle school. Anytime, I was searching for a story that would reel in the kids and keep their attention, anytime I wanted a story that would generate discussion, this was my go-to book. Although these tales were published several years ago, they are chock full of great writing, include humor, and provide food for thought. If you purchase this book, be sure to read “The Truth About Sharks” by Joan Bauer, one of my all-time favorites!

Eight plus 1 by Robert Cormier                                                                                                                         If you’ve ever read The Chocolate War, Cormier’s most famous book, you know that          Robert Cormier is a talented writer of young adult fiction. This anthology contains a mix of poignant and funny tales that take the reader back to an earlier era  (1950’s). The messages, however, are timeless and the stories stay with you long after you close the book. This is a winning gift for youngsters in grade six or above.

Home for Christmas, Stories for Young and Old is a wonderful holiday treasure with stories by a plethora of famous authors.

HISTORICAL FICTION                                                                                                                               The issue of racism still dominates the news. Both of these books, engage readers and paint a realistic picture of being in the minority. They are classic books that handle this sensitive topic with humor and grace. Both of these books would make great family     read-alouds and are guaranteed to spark questions and discussion. Check out Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor and The Watsons Go to Birmingham  by Paul Curtis.

FANTASY                                                                                                                                                             I must admit, fantasy is not my favorite genre. However, most of the students I’ve had through the years absolutely love it. Today, there is an abundance of creative fantasy out there geared to upper elementary and middle school kids. Many of the popular fantasy texts are series. Purchase the first one and watch even reluctant readers gobble up the rest. Both the Golden Compass series by Phillip Pullman and of course, the Harry Potter series are great gift books that will whet the appetite for more.

CLASSIC TALES                                                                                                                                                   There are just certain books that never go out of date. The writing, the setting, the characters and the theme permanently enbed themselves in the heart and mind of the reader. Treat the kids on your guest list to one of these unforgettable tales:  Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Pippi Longstocking, Little House on the Prairie, Robin Hood, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table,  and Black Beauty.

Hope these gift suggestions allow you to spend less time shopping and more time reading!

After one of the most contentious campaigns in the history of our country, the die was cast, the people spoke and early Wednesday morning, Hillary Clinton conceded the election to Donald Trump. No matter how you felt about the result, it is clear that our nation is witnessing history and is witnessing our democracy in action. Newspapers and news stations across the country show sequential images of election results and peaceful protests – our democracy in action!

It is our constitutional right to feel elated or dismayed. It is our constitutional right to peacefully express our feelings and opinions. As adults, most of us understand both the privileges and constraints that we must exercise at this time. Most of us are eager to move on and work together to unify our country, to seek areas of commonality, and to engage in respectful discussions regarding those issues where we disagree. Most of us will remember the words of President Obama…”This was an intramural scrimmage. We are all on the same team. We are all Americans.”

However, our desire to move forward with peace and acceptance is not an easy task. Even for adults, a large measure of maturity is required to move beyond the hurtful rhetoric and accusations. So how difficult must it be for our children to make sense of the unrest surrounding this election? As parents and teachers, it is essential that we come up strong and take the time to discuss, explain, answer questions, and support our children in their quest to make sense of it all. “Attitudes are caught not taught.” What we model at this time will be internalized by our youngsters.

Today, may I respectfully suggest that you seek out appropriate books, articles and even movies to help you explain the workings of our country, sooth your child’s emotions, answer their questions, and emphasize the values that underlie our democracy. How you support your child during this tumultuous time is a personal decision so I’m not going to suggest specific resources. Knowledge empowers, knowledge heals, knowledge opens the door to respect and acceptance. My hope is to encourage you to head to your library, bookstore or  Amazon to hunt down materials that will enable you to foster knowledge, understanding, empowerment, and peace in the hearts of our children.

I’m not trying to jump the gun, like most of the stores do, but in a few short weeks, the holiday season and gift-buying frenzy that accompanies it, will begin. The next few posts will focus on reading as a gift. I’ll discuss why books make such great gifts and also provide titles of books that may be perfect for the youngsters on your list. But in addition to offering gift suggestions, I want to encourage you to incorporate literature into your holiday traditions. Seasonal stories can live in our hearts, influencing us in positive ways throughout our lives and helping us remember the holidays of our youth. I’ll start these posts by sharing how we enbedded literature in our family and ask you to join in with stories and ideas of your own.

When I was a little girl, my mother always read The Night Before Christmas after we hung our stockings. I welcomed this ritual and when I became a mother myself, decided continue it with my own children. Somehow, the number of stories grew. By the time all five of our children were born, I was reading The Night Before Christmas and The Story of the Nativity and several others before the stockings were hung. Of course, when the kids were very young, I collected a slew of holiday books that I read throughout the days leading up to Christmas. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, and many other less known ones were read and reread throughout the season. Although it was a small thing, I hope that when my kids hear these tales today, it sparks a memory and transports them back to a happy time in their childhood. Good literature is a link to the past and beacon for the future. Do you have any traditions that involve books that you can share with us?

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  Wonder by R. J. Palacio   (Grades 4 and up)

For the last few days, I have been listening to the audio book of Wonder. Although I’m not even finished it, I am heartily recommending this touching story. August is a lovable fifth grade boy who is attending school for the first time in his life, having been home-schooled by his mother. Entering middle school when you’ve never even been to school is a challenging situation in itself. But for Auggie, who was born with severe facial abnormalities, the situation is almost unbearable. Told from the perspectives of many major characters, this believable tale is compelling and heart-wrenching. This is a book to share with your family. This is a book to listen to on tape because the various voices of the characters add to the realism and impact of the character’s actions and emotions. This is a book with the potential to evoke meaningful discussions and this is a book that will heighten everyone’s empathy for people unlike themselves. Wonder is quickly becoming one of my favorite young adult novels and a book I am eager to share with my grown children and my grandchildren. Don’t miss it!

Rose Birkhead is a Reading specialist who has worked at both the elementary and secondary level. As a passionate teacher, Rose is always striving for new ways to motivate and engage her seventh and eighth grade students. When not teaching, Rose enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, ages five and six, visiting with friends, golfing and reading. Additionally, I am proud to say that Rose is my daughter. 

Although I’ve never worked in sales, as a middle-school Reading specialist, selling is a big part of my job. Day after day, I struggle to sell students on the importance of reading, to sell the latest project so that it will be met with enthusiasm not groans, to sell the value of participation, study, effort. Mostly, however, I sell books. Much like a sales clerk, I assess my customers (the students) and do my best to suggest books they will joyfully embrace so that they are willing to come back for more. Here’s a snippet from a recent conversation with a student to demonstrate what I mean…

When Susan asked me for a book recommendation, I quickly glanced at my shelves and pulled several books.

“Have you read Divergent? What about Legend? Did you ever read The Face on the Milk Carton? Oh, how about Tears of a Tiger? The Bully? Do you want a graphic novel? I have Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts…”

I proceeded to pile about eight books together so that Susan would have plenty to peruse during our independent reading time. At the end of class, I noticed Susan had settled on Divergent. I approached Susan and asked what she thought.

“Honestly, Mrs. Birkhead, I really wasn’t into it. I thought I’d really like it because the movie was cool, but I just couldn’t get into it.”

I smiled knowingly at her and said, “Susan, do you like shopping? Do you ever go in a store and find a slew of clothes to try on?

An instant grin appeared on Susan’s face. “I love to shop!”

“I do, too. But sometimes I feel disappointed, especially after I try on a ton of clothes and discover none of them is what I’m looking for.”

“I know what you mean. It can feel like a big waste of time.”

“Exactly. Sometimes, Susan, the same thing happens with books. Initially, we may be excited and intrigued by a book, but after reading a bit, we realize it’s just not for us. That’s what happened to you today. It’s important to understand that there are a million books out there and many of them will be winners for you. I have two options for you today. You can give Divergent a better chance by reading another twenty pages, or simply abandon it and continue to shop for a book you love, just like you would if you were buying clothes. The important thing is not to give up.”

Like teachers, parents are also salesman in the lives of their children. In the realm of reading, a parent often needs to sell kids on the value of reading and take them shopping for those magic books that will reel them in and transform them into life-long readers.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  The Rule of Three by Eric Walter                                                                                                                                 (Recommended for Grades 5 and up)

Imagine – it is 2:45 at school. You are in the computer lab with your best friend, working on an assignment, when POOF! thepower goes off in the entire school. Everyone gathers in the school gym, and the principal dismisses you. When you walk out to the parking lot, you notice no one is leaving. You head over to your 1979 car, and it starts right up. Then, it dawns on you – your classmates’ cars won’t start because they rely on technology. As you travel home, you realize the  power is off everywhere. That’s right, no electricity and no Internet! That’s exactly what happens to Adam in this intriguing novel.

Adam, the main character, a high school student, is responsible for taking care of his younger siblings while his mom leads the community as the chief of police. His dad, who is a pilot, is in Chicago. Even if his dad can’t make it home, at least he has taught Adam some skills that may just come in handy as the community begins to unravel and neighborhood fights break out. Youngsters will love this suspenseful novel as they read to discover if the community can survive weeks without electricity and the technology that has become commonplace.

Hope you enjoy some relaxing time to read with your family in celebration of National Family Literacy Day. Sorry for the lack of posts lately…it’s called life!  Check in tomorrow for a guest post by my daughter, Rose Birkhead, a middle-school reading specialist. I’ll return on Friday.