Upper Elementary Book Review discussion

So that we can make this Book Review group helpful for everyone, please introduce yourself! Include your name, where you're from, what you do (if you are a teacher or a librarian - be sure to include the grade), and why you joined the group. Also feel free to leave suggestions about what kind of information you would like to see included in the group.

Hi! I'm Maggie! I'm a special education teacher at an elementary school in Seattle. I currently teach the 4th and 5th grade special ed kids. I joined this group because I always love book recommendations, and as I have some very reluctant readers, any/all input is welcomed and appreciated! I love getting a variety of ideas!

Thanks Maggie! We're glad to have you in the group. I have a lot of kids who are on IEPs as well, so hopefully we can really build the Reluctant Readers folder. Please make some additions as well!

Hi I'm Vesna. I teach 5th grade at a Catholic school in Massachusetts. I joined this group because I am just entering my second year of teaching and need book recommendations.

Hi! I'm actually a middle-schooler myself.

Vesna wrote: "Hi I'm Vesna. I teach 5th grade at a Catholic school in Massachusetts. I joined this group because I am just entering my second year of teaching and need book recommendations."

Hi Vesna! That's the reason we put this group together. I've been reading like a fiend this summer, and it is still so difficult to cover enough books that will appeal to all of the kids in my classroom. Hopefully, this will help all of us share the burden. Welcome to the group, and I look forward to your suggestions!

Raevyn wrote: "Hi! I'm actually a middle-schooler myself."

Welcome to the group Raevyn! It's great to have someone in school to help with suggestions. Please include books that you and your friends enjoyed in elementary school and why you liked them. That will really help us out a lot!

Okay, I'll do that. I still sort of read the "easy" books once in a while, so I can provide current information on them.
(by the way, I LOVED Out of My Mind. I'm glad it's in a thread.)

I am an elementary teacher looking for books to recommend to my higher level readers. I teach in a multiage classroom grades 1-3. Some of the third graders read at very hig levels ranging from 4th grade through 8th grade. So the biggest challenge is finding books that are written at higher grade levels that are more suited to 8 and 9 year old maturity.

Kelly wrote: "I am an elementary teacher looking for books to recommend to my higher level readers. I teach in a multiage classroom grades 1-3. Some of the third graders read at very hig levels ranging from 4t..."

Kelly, welcome to the group! I have a lot of low-level readers, so I sometimes forget about the high reader issues. I'll set up a new folder for high level readers so that your kids are challenged while still reading things that are of interest to them and are appropriate. Let us know if we can do anything else!

I am a fifth grade teacher in Oklahoma. Finding new and exciting books for my classroom library is a top priority. Goodreads is a great place to look for help.

I'm thinking we should have a 'currently-reading' section. It works well in a lot of the groups I'm in. :)

Hi Im a 4th grade teacher in Texas. I just discovered GoodReads and Im very excited to get going on my book shelves and book recommendations for my upcoming class of readers. I think this site will be wonderful for my students - to read book reviews and post their own reviews. We will also use GoodReads to make a shelf of all the books we read together.

Lavona wrote: "I am a fifth grade teacher in Oklahoma. Finding new and exciting books for my classroom library is a top priority. Goodreads is a great place to look for help."

Lavona, welcome to the group! I taught 5th grade last year in OK (I've got 6th this year), so hopefully you will find this group helpful. Please feel free to make recommendations about what you need.

Raevyn wrote: "I'm thinking we should have a 'currently-reading' section. It works well in a lot of the groups I'm in. :)"

Raevyn, there is a currently reading section. We've been doing a book for the month (this month, it is The Mighty Miss Malone). If you have some suggestions about how we should do that, please let me know. I'm open!

Lisa wrote: "Hi Im a 4th grade teacher in Texas. I just discovered GoodReads and Im very excited to get going on my book shelves and book recommendations for my upcoming class of readers. I think this site wi..."

Lisa, I think Goodreads can be a tremendous resource to you and your class. As you make recommendations for your kids (and as they make them to you), please add those books to the group. We all want as many kids as possible to read books they will love and be excited about. Let us know what we can do to help you!

reGifabulous wrote: "Raevyn wrote: "I'm thinking we should have a 'currently-reading' section. It works well in a lot of the groups I'm in. :)"

Raevyn, there is a currently reading section. We've been doing a book fo..."

Sorry, I meant a thread where people talk about what they're reading. :)

Raevyn wrote: "reGifabulous wrote: "Raevyn wrote: "I'm thinking we should have a 'currently-reading' section. It works well in a lot of the groups I'm in. :)"

Raevyn, there is a currently reading section. We've..."

Okay, let me look into it. I'm great to do that.

Hi, I'm Tracy...I teach 5th grade at a Catholic school in Minnesota. I am an avid reader and have recently started a new reading program with our upper elementary students. I am always looking for new ideas to teach reading, as well as book recommendations. I got the idea to join Goodreads after reading The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild by DonnaLyn Miller. Looking forward to chatting with all of you!

Tracy, welcome to the group! Please post books that your kids are excited about reading and any great books you find. We'd love to hear your input. Also, if there is something you need from us, please let me know!

My name is Sarah, and I'm going to be teaching a mixed age group of 4/5th graders this year, whose reading prowess I'm currently in the dark about! Our school is a Title 1 urban charter in Baltimore. Last year I was teaching a skilled group of second graders and so this will be a change. I have an extensive library of books from several decades of parenting and reading but I need some strong suggestions to make this year work. Looking forward to my first Goodreads group!

Sarah wrote: "My name is Sarah, and I'm going to be teaching a mixed age group of 4/5th graders this year, whose reading prowess I'm currently in the dark about! Our school is a Title 1 urban charter in Baltimor..."

Hi Sarah! Welcome to the group! I know a little about B'more, so hopefully we can be of help to you. I think we probably have similar skill levels, so I will highly recommend the reluctant readers folder and the Culturally Diverse folder. As you learn of new books, be sure to add them in too!

Hi, I'm Kristin, I teach at a Catholic school in the Seattle area, and I'm moving up to 5th this year after three years in 1st. I've always loved YA books for this age group, but I'm a little out of the loop for the latest! I'm inheriting a room from a retiring veteran teacher, and both the library and novel studies are a bit dated. I'm excited to be a part of this community!

Kristin wrote: "Hi, I'm Kristin, I teach at a Catholic school in the Seattle area, and I'm moving up to 5th this year after three years in 1st. I've always loved YA books for this age group, but I'm a little out o..."

Welcome to the group Kristin! Hopefully we can help get you ready for 5th grade with a combination of classics and some new interests! Let us know how we can be more helpful to you.

Hi all,

I'm reading lots of chapter books to my kids at night. And working through I Can Reads with my oldest.

I typically write horror and sci-fi for adults, but also started to write for children and that seems to have struck a nerve with my advance readers, so I'm here to chat about the books I'm reading with my kids and see how that shapes any of my future work in this space.

Brady wrote: "Hi all,

I'm reading lots of chapter books to my kids at night. And working through I Can Reads with my oldest.

I typically write horror and sci-fi for adults, but also started to write for chil..."

Welcome to the group Brady! I hope we can be of help to you. We do have one student member in the group; she may be able to give you some great feedback as well from a young reader's perspective.

Thanks!

I am Allison, a fifth grade teacher from Texas. I teach Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies. I am new to goodreads, so bear with me! I would like book recommendations for my students, and I would also like to experiment with getting them involved in a safe online reading community, after I learn the ropes myself!

Allison wrote: "I am Allison, a fifth grade teacher from Texas. I teach Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies. I am new to goodreads, so bear with me! I would like book recommendations for my students, and I ..."

Allison, welcome to the group! I hope that we will be able to contribute some great ideas for your fifth grade class and we hope you'll be able to share some great ideas with us! We look forward to having you in the group. And don't worry - it's pretty easy to get the hang of things on the site!

J.Z. wrote: "Hi, I'm author J.Z. Bingham and would like to introduce my new coming-of-age preteen novel. As per your rules, I believe I should contact a group moderator before promoting my book. Please contact ..."
Hi J.Z. Thank you so much for contacting us per the rules. If you can send a copy to me for quick review, I can look it over. As long as it's appropriate, I can extend the offer to members of the group. Looking forward to it!

Hello, I'm Jim. I taught Special Education for fifteen years and currently I'm a full-time Children's writer. his seems like a great group!

Jim wrote: "Hello, I'm Jim. I taught Special Education for fifteen years and currently I'm a full-time Children's writer. his seems like a great group!"

Welcome to the group Jim! As there are many group members who either teach Special Ed or have a number of students on an IEP, I hope we can gain some helpful suggestions from your years of experience. Let us know how we can make the group work better for you - we're always open to suggestions!

Hello, I like to think of myself as a teacher. No, not a paid teacher, although I have worked with autistic children in the past. I teach many things to many people everyday and vice versa. Teachers have my utmost respect and provide such an important role in our children's lives. I write children's chapter books with my granddaughter and a portion of the proceeds go the Caitlyn Dunbar Nature Center to support Girl Scouts. I am also a voracious reader of several genres. I appreciate being a member and look forward to connecting with everyone here. Happy New Year everyone.

Jackie wrote: "Hello, I like to think of myself as a teacher. No, not a paid teacher, although I have worked with autistic children in the past. I teach many things to many people everyday and vice versa. Teacher..."

Welcome to the group Jackie! We're excited to have you, and look forward to the recommendations you post!

Hello, I'm Julia. I have two kids, ages 9 and 6, and I'm always on the lookout for good ideas on what to read to them next. Additionally, I am an aspiring middle grade children's author who reads for inspiration in my own writing.

Julia wrote: "Hello, I'm Julia. I have two kids, ages 9 and 6, and I'm always on the lookout for good ideas on what to read to them next. Additionally, I am an aspiring middle grade children's author who reads..."

Julia, we are glad to have you! I hope you can get some good recommendations for your kids; I also hope you will share with us books they have enjoyed reading. And please write some books for our kiddos! It is a challenge to find quality books for a variety of readers for upper elem/middle school. Let us know if you have any questions!

Suzy wrote: "Hello! I am Suzy, a 4th grade inner city school teacher for more than 20 years now. I joined this group to learn about new book suggestions my class might enjoy reading. Thanks!"

Welcome to the group Suzy! I teach 4th grade inner city as well, so hopefully, we can share a lot! I have some suggestions about what worked with my kids, and I would love to hear what you have found to be successful with yours.

I am reading some your messages and you have great questions for discussion. I have a 4th grader and she needs these probing questions to help with comprehension. Awesome! Thank you for the page number. The book is still on hold. Hope to start reading soon.

Tamika wrote: "I am reading some your messages and you have great questions for discussion. I have a 4th grader and she needs these probing questions to help with comprehension. Awesome! Thank you for the page n..."

Tamika, welcome! That's exactly what the group is for! I certainly hope you can take advantage of the variety of expertise in the group. Also, it will be helpful to a lot of us to share your daughter's questions and challenges to help us in serving our students more effectively. Glad it's helpful!

Hey! I'm a literacy coach at an intermediate school, and I enjoy reading what the kids are reading. They also enjoy knowing that a teacher is reading one of their favorites, something they suggested and/or just being able to share and discuss.
I'm currently reading Wonder! Students and teachers at my school were giving it rave reviews!!

Fran wrote: "Hey! I'm a literacy coach at an intermediate school, and I enjoy reading what the kids are reading. They also enjoy knowing that a teacher is reading one of their favorites, something they suggeste..."

Welcome to the group Fran! I hope you will contribute some suggestions and help make us more effective in reaching kids in reading. Also, check out the Wonder folder under Book of the Month - we have a few interesting discussions going on over there!

Lamb in the Slaughter was a strong desciption of Auggie's feelings.
Reading in between the lines and following who is speaking at diffferent times are challenges.

I am new to Goodreads as a classroom teacher. Can anyone give me some tips as to starting a classroom group that is private to my class? I am looking for words of wisdom, as the privacy issues have me a bit nervous. I can not seem to verify my email address in order to open a group for my kids. Anyone know what I am doing wrong? Thanks for the advice.

Virginia wrote: "I am new to Goodreads as a classroom teacher. Can anyone give me some tips as to starting a classroom group that is private to my class? I am looking for words of wisdom, as the privacy issues have..."
I figured out that the email was being sent to my Junk file, so it is not verified. Still interested in hearing the expertise of others regarding using Goodreads as a tool in the classroom.

I haven't used Goodreads in the classroom but my high school niece does and she's a big fan. She and her classmates have apparently gotten into some intense discussions on it over some books (I believe the Mara Dyer series was a big one on that list), and her teacher has given participation grades for the discussions. I hope that's helpful; if you need more specific information, let me know and I'll ask.

I'm Kari and I teach a combined class of 5th & 6th grade students at a very small elementary school in rural Minnesota. I'm always interested in finding more books to recommend to my students!

I'm Kirsten. I have been a children's librarian in a public library and a school library media specialist in a K-5 elementary school, but it's been many years since I actually taught. I have two middle schoolers and volunteer at both elementary and middle school libraries in my district. I run a book review website, Monster Librarian, that reviews horror and paranormal fiction for all ages as well as scary stories for kids. I'm the primary person reviewing for upper elementary/middle grade. I need to stretch myself to be more aware of what's currently available.

Hi, I'm Deepa from Texas. I have two kids aged 12 and 10. My 10 year old boy is a reluctant reader. He basically reads to get points in some accelerated reader programs. I'm here to get some recommendations for him. Additionally, I'm also a children's book author. I'm working on a book series titled Miss Tree Tales which tries to encourage sustainable living and conservation of natural resources. I would like to get some feedback from kids and teachers as to how they find the book and its educational value. I contacted the moderator who mentioned it's okay to post about my book by mentioning that.