I didn't read fantasy as a young adult and I profess to dislike books with talking animals, but I have lately enjoyed the fantasy novel as an escape. One of my favorite reads this past week is an old, but new-to-me fantasy ya book that my student, Brent, shared with me, Warrier Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. I know my students are hooked as readers when they are either surreptitiously reading in class when they are supposed to be doing other things or when they recognize a little down time in class and jump right into a book. I think that is how many readers live their adults lives, they read when they should be doing something else or they jump right in when they recognize down time. Brent is a student who works when it is time to work, but always has a book nearby. I noticed him reading this book a few weeks ago and asked him about it. He told me that he was rereading and I might like it. He gave it to me. I had it for a week before I started it. He was putting pressure on me about finishing it, but I didn't have time. Thankfully I didn't have time. When I picked it up on Sunday afternoon, I didn't put it down until 11 o'clock. Normally on Monday mornings, I am tired from staying up until 10 watching The Walking Dead, a great show, but an equally great graphic novel series. This Monday I was tired from reading. It was all Brent's "fault." I booktalked it to all of my classes. He and I had a few brief minutes to talk about it and we discussed its similarities to Firestorm, the 9th grade summer reading book. I pressed him to bring me the next one, Wizard Heir, which he did today. Most of the time, I am pressing books into others' hands, but I love it most when a student presses one into mine. Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Time to Read
I didn't read fantasy as a young adult and I profess to dislike books with talking animals, but I have lately enjoyed the fantasy novel as an escape. One of my favorite reads this past week is an old, but new-to-me fantasy ya book that my student, Brent, shared with me, Warrier Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. I know my students are hooked as readers when they are either surreptitiously reading in class when they are supposed to be doing other things or when they recognize a little down time in class and jump right into a book. I think that is how many readers live their adults lives, they read when they should be doing something else or they jump right in when they recognize down time. Brent is a student who works when it is time to work, but always has a book nearby. I noticed him reading this book a few weeks ago and asked him about it. He told me that he was rereading and I might like it. He gave it to me. I had it for a week before I started it. He was putting pressure on me about finishing it, but I didn't have time. Thankfully I didn't have time. When I picked it up on Sunday afternoon, I didn't put it down until 11 o'clock. Normally on Monday mornings, I am tired from staying up until 10 watching The Walking Dead, a great show, but an equally great graphic novel series. This Monday I was tired from reading. It was all Brent's "fault." I booktalked it to all of my classes. He and I had a few brief minutes to talk about it and we discussed its similarities to Firestorm, the 9th grade summer reading book. I pressed him to bring me the next one, Wizard Heir, which he did today. Most of the time, I am pressing books into others' hands, but I love it most when a student presses one into mine. 
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What a great gift! Having been so enthusiastic in pressing good books into students hands to have a student press one into yours! Thanks for sharing this encouraging moment.
ReplyDeleteGreat ending line, Beth. It just sings! "I love it most when a student presses one into mine." Sweet spot right there.
ReplyDeleteYA fantasy is addicting, in my opinion. ;) Very cool that you opened yourself up to a genre that you don't typically pick and to a student recommendation and then in turn booktalked it to other students. It sounds like you've built a true reading community in your school!
ReplyDeleteBeth, I love it when students insist that I read a particular book. Last year it was Matched. Another year, I was given a blank writer's notebook (well, almost blank) with sections that my student had begun for me: Poems and Books (she wanted me to read The Lightning Thief). I chose to fill the last section with Quotes. I haven't read The Warrior Heir, but your post makes me want to add it to my never ending list!
ReplyDeleteI will have to check this one out. Fantasy books are not my favorite, but you make a compelling case! I am hesitant to take recommendations, yet I give them out like mad. Good for you for following through!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the feedback. I am reading the second book right now and love it just as much.
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