Build Your Summer Reading List (Part 3)
We asked some of our favorite literacy experts which books they are recommending to friends, to give us a running start on our summer reading lists. Who better to ask about great books? There is something on the list for everyone. We are featuring this series all month long, with recommendations from over 20 of your favorite authors. You can access the first two installments in the series through the links at the bottom of the page.
Jim Burke, author of The English Teacher's Companion and Reading Reminders writes,
"I have grown interested in philosophy in the last year and wondered how to begin to learn more (in an interesting way). Christopher Phillips wrote a book titled Socrates Café which offered the perfect entry into what is otherwise a complex and often very dry subject. It is more of a personal narrative that touches on certain philosophical ideas from Socrates while he sits with people in cafés, retirement homes, or people's homes as they discuss these ideas and how they might apply to their lives. It's great fun to read (and has a philosophical sequel, Socrates in Love , which examines the subject of love, something we all need to make time to learn more about despite our busy lives."
Kylene Beers, President of NCTE and author of When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do :
"For summer reading, I'd recommend The World Is Flat (Friedman) coupled with A Whole New Mind (Pink). I recognize that technically I'm offering two books! But, if you read them together . . .
The World Is Flat has been out for a while now, but it remains at the top of my list for explaining how technology is changing the world and A Whole New Mind helps us see how that technology is changing how we think and offers big ideas for what that means we ought to be thinking about in schools."
Ruth Shagoury, Choice Literacy contributor and author of Raising Writers , suggests "Tough Chicks by Cece Meng, illustrated by Melissa Suber. The three tough chicks - Penny, Polly, and Molly - are rough, tough little chicks from the moment they hatch. They are mud-stomping, worm-wrestling, bug-collecting, mechanically inclined little chicks. All the other animals beg Mother Hen to "Make them be good!" She insists they are good - even when they are rambunctious and tough and determined to do things their own way! I love the illustrations that mimic the quick action of the characters as they 'peep, peep, zoom, zip, cheep' around the farm and into their barnyard adventures.
While it's a great brand new picture book to share with children, I also love this book as a professional book - especially for women literacy coaches who are 'tough chicks.' Our local literacy community has been besieged lately as we hold to what we believe - and speak out on behalf of good literacy practices for our students. This book has been a reminder that we are "good" at what we do in the face of adversity, with our own unique styles - and maybe we can even save the farm!
For fiction reads, In the Woods by Tana French and its sequel The Likeness are riveting psychological thrillers set in contemporary Ireland. If you want to immerse yourself in great writing and intriguing plots, these are the summer reads for you."
Karen Szymusiak, author of Beyond Leveled Books and Choice Literacy contributor, recommends The Element by Sir Ken Robinson:
"This book explores the notion of personal passion and how being in the 'Element' inspires imagination and creativity. It shakes the foundation of school as we know it where students are rarely given the time or invitation to find their passions. Page after page, it inspires us to rethink the ways we can encourage authentic learning in school."
Katie Wood Ray author of Wondrous Words and Study Driven , has a couple recommendations:
"My favorite two books from the past reading year were Serena by Ron Rash and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (I know, an Oprah book, but it's really, really good and as a dog person, it took my breath away). Serena I loved because it's historical fiction (a favorite genre) and it's set here in the mountains of western North Carolina (Waynesville actually, where I live). Rash's writing is so beautiful, even as he's creating a truly villainous main character (she's sooo bad). My favorite recent professional read is Tom Newkirk's new book Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones . It reminds us of what's important. My favorite recent adolescent novel is probably The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (thanks to Denise Morgan for recommending it). Disturbing, but good. I like the strong female character in it."
To read the recommendations in Part 1 of the series, click on the link below:
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/885.cfm
To read the recommendations in Part 2 of the series, click on the link below:
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/891.cfm
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About
Jennifer Allen
