Better Late Than Never: Catching Up on This Year's Reading

Building relationships with my students has become a goal that I strive to achieve yearly. As I participated in Professional Development on Twitter last night and responded to questions and provided answers, I realized that I choose to build these relationships differently than my peers. We all have the same goal in the end, but we each go about it in our own manner. I, for instance, like to build my relationships with my students through literature. As a reader, seeing my students make a connection to a book or a piece of literature provides me with such joy. Knowing that my students are becoming captivated as they turn the pages conveys to me that they are experiencing life outside of their realities. I have come to appreciate YA literature these last few years, but have made a point this school year to focus more on YA, to make those connections with my students, strive to build better reading habits, and most importantly develop a passion for reading. 

This school year, I made it a point to focus on popular or newly released YA literature and have possibly been produced into a movie or series on Netflix. I have a rule in my home and my family is not very fond of it. You have to read the book first to watch the movie. With the list of YA fiction that I have read this school year, I have tried to catch up with watching movies or series. Some of the books were read the last 2 years, but I am just getting to the point of watching the movies. Some of the YA literature that I have read are not yet or are not movies. The YA novels listed below I read in either print, ebooks, or listened through audiobooks on our school district OverDrive. 

November 2016

December 2016

 

January 2017

February 2017

March 2017

April 2017

With the school year beginning its closure, my list of YA novels is continuously growing. I plan on spending my summer days reading, whether it is in the car, before bed, having my morning coffee, or any chance possible, I will have a YA novel at my finger tips print or electronic. 

Netflix: New YA Series

Recently, Netflix has come out with a series based on the YA novel, Thirteen Reasons Why. 

Since this series has broadcast, the conversations among my students has increased regarding people's actions and how one may impact another without realizing it. I have been surprised at the responses, varying from truly understanding the main character, Hannah, and the impact her peers had on her to those who acted like it was just another sitcom and didn't think much of the content of the novel or series. In a way, it hit a nerve knowing some of my students did not think the subject matter of teen suicide was a big deal or that their actions or words mattered towards others or that they left an impact on someone else whether they meant to or not. It was an eye opener as to how much they are aware of what and who is around them. Not much. With social media, self entitlement, and everything surrounding them, students are not aware or choose not to be aware of what is happening within our society and to those around them. 

I have seen students checking the book out from the library, putting their names on the waiting list or going out and personally purchasing the book to going to the local library to read it. 

Watching the series, the book is portrayed well. Although language can be harsh at some times, the story of Hannah and her suicide is conveyed to the audience in a true manner and students are able to relate. This series has provided many talking points these last few days and as myself, my students, and other teachers continue this series, the conversations and relationships can become stronger, more in depth, and even create a more emotional connection for many. 

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, New York: Harper Collins. Fifth grade can be tough. Jesse Aarons is determined to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade. He has been practicing early in the mornings in the field by his home where he tends to his cow and focusing on his pace. That is until Leslie Burke moves in next door and decides to run with the boys during recess one day. She beat every boy! Once the two become close friends, they create their own secret kingdom. This kingdom is deep in the woods and they named it Terabithia. Paterson provides a story of true friendship, friends who have created their imaginary society with in the woods new their home. Illustrations on limited and spread out through the book. The illustrations are simplistic in colors and lines, sketching what is depicted to  give a brief image of the characters. Tragedy within the book hits home when Leslie dies by accidentally drowning by the creek to their kingdom, Terabithia. Paterson presents tragedy, sympathy, imagination, and the meaning of true friendship. Lesson pertaining to inferencing, theme, mood, and character traits and qualities can be presented to older readers. Students cab write a eulogy for Leslie and present from Jesse's point of view, provide and  illustration of their favorite event with in the book or majestic forest, Terabithia. Attached is the Disney movie trailer of the book for your viewing pleasure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SvqEIKP4t8

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York, New York: Harper Collins. Stephanie’s Uncle Gordon has passed away and she is awarded his home with other items, while her aunt and uncle are not pleased with a broach and a car. Stephanie meets one of Uncle Gordon’s friends, Skulduggery Pleasant, a detective with a od appearance. Series of events happen throughout the book to lead Stephanie and Skulduggery Pleasant to believe her Uncle Gordon was murdered by a Sorcerer Nefarine Serphine, Skulduggery Pleasant’s rival, in search for something so valuable to humanity, that Uncle Gordon hide it knowing it’s power. Landy presents a murder mystery involving magic and sorcery. Students will not be able to not involve themselves in the world of magic, trickery, murder, and secrets. Teachers can use this book to discuss inferencing and identifying character traits and qualities withholder readers. Attached is an ideal lesson teacher’s can use to provide writing prompts. http://static.squarespace.com/static/533e5b23e4b089b274abbdc9/t/53f6c9a9e4b009642c5abff2/1408682409092/2010_2011_6Middleschool.pdf