Book Recommendations for Reluctant Readers and Everyone Else, Too!

Hello,

I want to share with my readers a wonderful website, www.KeenReaders.com. Each month the site posts book reviews by their team of readers; and I’m thrilled to be a member of the team! The books we read are chosen for their readability for the reluctant reader, both boys and girls, ages middle grade to young adult.

I hope you visit the site and the book reviews. If your child finds a book on the site that sparks his or her reading interest, you can share your success story here and I’ll pass it on.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Storyboards to Check Comprehension

Hello,

Storyboarding is a great tool to check a student’s comprehension of a story. Kids love to draw and color so it’s win-win for everyone!

As you know, Fiona is one of my students who is reading all the books in the Poison Apple series. She recently finished NOW YOU SEE ME by Jane B. Mason.

Here is Fiona’s first storyboard:

I discovered she is quite the artiste, too! Great job, Fiona.

Fiona is nearing the end of the series with MIDNIGHT HOWL by Clare Hutton.

And, here is her second storyboard:

Great story detail in your pictures, Fiona!

Readers, I hope you have a chance to use storyboards with your students and children at home. Share with me your success stories, too.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Another Student Book Recommendation

Hello,

One of my students wrote another wonderful book recommendation for her peers. The book is MISS FORTUNE by Brandi Dougherty. This is another Poison Apple book.

Fiona started reading the Poison Apple books a couple of months ago and is now reading the second to the last one in the series, until August, that is, when another book is due to be released. I am so pleased with how voraciously Fiona is now devouring books! Keep up the great work, Fiona.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Two New Book Recommendations!

Hello Readers,

I want to share two book recommendations written by one of my students. Fiona has really taken off with her reading! When I first started working with Fiona I learned that she enjoys creepy, scary books with a mystery. So, I introduced her to the Poison Apple series. Fiona has taken off  with her reading! She has read the first two and she is currently reading number three. She has waiting in her “books to be read” pile numbers four through six and in August, number seven!

Here are Fiona’s recommendations:

I’m definitely going to recommend this book to my students!

Vampires are still alive and well in the kids’ world of reading! This one is in my “to read” pile.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as Fiona. Send me a comment about which is your favorite book in the Poison Apple series.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Book Recommendation

Hello,

I would like to share with you a website for parents and kids that is filled with great resources for both. The website is called Keen Readers and here is the link: http://www.keenreaders.org/

I also want to share my book review on the site.  Here is that link:  http://www.keenreaders.org/youth/book-reviews.

I plan to write more book reviews and recommendations.  I invite you to visit the site regularly for more great books to read!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Success Story

Hello,

It’s been a while, I know.  But all for good reasons, one that I want to share with you.

I have a 5th grade student who has been struggling to find her niche in reading.  Part of her wants to read what her friends are reading.  Part of her wants to read books that are “at her reading level” and part of her wants to read magazines, ALL THE TIME!  Well, this is all good reading, but she was not enjoying the process of reading.  So, I took her on a field trip!

Last week we spent nearly two hours at the Seattle Public Library, main branch.  We first took a tour to the tenth floor and enjoyed the view to the first floor!  If you’ve ever been to this library or seen pictures of it, it’s made mostly of glass and concrete. The view can make the weak-kneed a bit quivery.  It was a short stay at the top before we walked the spiral ramp down.  We stopped along the way to visit the rare books collection and old magazines and newspapers before finding ourselves in the children’s section. 

The children’s section is like a mini library all on its own.  We spent the majority of our time browsing everything from biographies, plays, graphic novels, comic books, picture books, and chapter books.  Eventually, I looked at the time and gave my student a choice, to go to the teen section then meet her mother in 30 minutes or ask for more time, continue browsing in the children’s section, visit the teen section, have a snack at the café, then meet her mom.  She opted for more time!  A quick call and we had another 45 golden minutes!

With our collection of books in tow we rode the elevator up to the teen section.  My student used the computer to find specific books she had in mind as well as browse the shelves for whatever sparked an interest for her. 

With a stack of books from all the sections, my student checked-out her books with her brand new library card.  Luckily, she brought with her a tote bag to carry all her books!

With 15 minutes to spare, we each enjoyed a beverage, chatted about our ‘new friends’ that were going home with us and reflected on our afternoon.  All too soon, our time was up and our field trip came to an end.

I chatted with my student’s mother the next day and she shared how excited her daughter was about the library and the books she brought home.  My student also shared with me that she had a great time and would like to go back.  But, best of all, my student is reading every day and enjoying the experience!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Reluctant Reader Success Story!

Hello Readers,

I want to share one of my success stories.  I have a student in the 5th grade who is not excited about reading in general.  Well, not until last week.  We’ve been working together trying different genres and readers’ workshop activities.  Her interest would be short-lived.  Then, I scaled back the reading expectations placed on her.  leisurely pace of enjoying picture books. 

Twice a week we would meet in the morning before school, sipping hot tea and reading picture books to each other.  We revisited old favorites for both of us, like MADELINE and CHRYSANTHEMUM and some new favorites. My student’s reading confidence increased along with her enjoyment of reading.

This lead me to introduce her to comic books.  My husband introduced comics to me when we first met and now I have my favorites.  I shared those with my student.  She chose MODELS, INC. to start.  She devoured the first four issues.  When I saw her two days later she was asking to read SPIDER-GIRL!

I’m very excited for my student and her new found interest in reading.  She is able to talk about the story, the problems the characters must solve, setting, and character traits of these non-conventional characters.

I hope this success story helps facilitate other reluctant readers and their teachers and parents. 

Happy Reading,

Kathleen