Randall’s Comments (group member since Dec 09, 2014)

Randall’s comments from the The Vertical Alliance group.

The most popular titles so far from my school year:

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario (nonfiction)
Finding Me by Michelle Night (nonfiction)
Night by Elie Wiesel (nonfiction)
Maus by Art Spiegelman (graphic novel)
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by Gregory Neri (graphic novel)
Columbine by Dave Cullen (nonfiction)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbradn (nonfiction -- young readers edition)
I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher (nonfiction)

I recently re-read Book Love and Reading Ladders, and again I am convicted. As such, I've been book-talking and wooing readers this year at Goshen High School where I currently teach. I'm wondering if we could start a discussion of high interest titles that our high school students have enjoyed.

What books do students find "unputdownable"?
Which books are perennial student favorites?
Which books grab student interest from the first page?
Which books have students successfully recommended to peers?

One thought: I've heard of some schools doing a school-wide read. Sometimes they invite the author to speak on campus in the spring. This would be great to foster discussion among/between grade levels and across disciplines.

Would this be possible to do at CPA (within each school, perhaps)? Does it fit within Kittle's vision as described in Book Love? How can the CPA campus and entire academy promote a love of books?

Currently Reading (and enjoying!):

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Flying at Night (poetry) by Ted Kooser

Recently Enjoyed:

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
The Book of Hours (poetry) by Kevin Young
Godric by Frederick Buechner
A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson