Thanks, RD! I started a new file saving your recommendations.
And yeah, I read a couple which are fab but a bit too much for 5th (Out of the
Dust) read alouds, but I need to get to know the books so I can recommend and
discuss for IR (that is, if I ever figure out how to configure reading with IR
in 5th grade). But first, the read alouds.
Judy

On 7/01/09, RD wrote:
> 'Elijah of Buxton' is a beautiful book by Christopher Paul Curtis. May be
> a tad difficult for 5th, but I'm not sure. I also loved his 'Bud, Not
> Buddy'.
>
>
> On 7/01/09, RD wrote:
>> On 7/01/09, judy(almost)5ca wrote:
>>> Wow, I feel so loved today! So far:
>>> 1. Rules, Lord. All 5th grades have class sets and read this at the
>>> beginning of the year to "build community."
>>> 2. The Lighting Thief, Riordan. Again, class sets--this book is
>>> beloved by both of the other 5th grade teachers and they say "the
>>> kids LOVE it!" They read it aloud together to "illustrate MOT
>>> comprehension strategies."
>>> (I keep trying to convince myself to go along with my grade level the
>>> first year, but it's killing me. Neither book has literary value
>>> IMHO and the first is downright predictable. The second is engaging
>>> and lots of fun but I think it should be independent reading--an
>>> American Harry Potter really. And, worst of all, it's 350 pages
>>> long--do you know how much instructional time that would be?)
>>> 3. The Fighting Ground, Avi. Read this because I'm looking for text
>>> that is literary AND connected to state standards. It was okay, but
>>> I'm not in love. I'd definitely recommend it to kids, but don't
>>> think it's a class read.
>>> 4. heartbeat, Creech. Read this hoping for a replacement for Love
>>> That Dog when I teach poetry. PERFECT! I love it!
>>> 5. The Sign of the Beaver, Speare. I'm only halfway, but I'm
>>> thrilled! Lots of meaty issues to explore AND connected to standards.
>>> Soooo....2 out of 5. Any recommendations for how to deal with my
>>> grade level?
>>> Judy
>>>
>>
>> 'Rules' is on my shelf, but I haven't read it yet. I don't have the
>> Avi book. Now, I love the Creech, and it is a good replacement
>> for 'Love That Dog' (and Hate That Cat), in that it's more for an older
>> reader. Have you read 'The Wanderer'? by Creech? Beautiful book.
>>
>> 'The Sign of the Beaver' is one that I brought home to read this summer
>> (along with another 100 or so books, poems and short stories). I'm
>> thinking I'll read 'Touching Spirit Bear' before 'The Sign of the
>> Beaver' because it's -supposedly - more meaty, for my age group.
>>
>>
>> I'm going to think on which books you might like as class reads, Judy.
>> I haven't taught 5th, so I'll have to think about the age level, the
>> appropriateness . . ..
>>
>> Have you read any Korman? I loved 'Schooled'. How about 'Pictures of
>> Hollis Woods' by Patricia Reilly Giff?

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