Revamping the reading list
Most summer reading lists make me grit my teeth. I sympathize with the kids who have to choose from some of these lists.
Liz Boyd, head of the Upper School at Charleston Collegiate on Johns Island, articulates the dilemma. She points out that some students already are motivated to read and will read regardless of any list inflicted by the school.
Then there is the other group of students who (for multiple reasons) are not motivated to read. We agree that we want all students to read and enjoy reading. Previous experience has taught us that revered classics and heavy, respected tomes are not useful in accomplishing this goal.
What to do?
When the National Center for Independent School Renewal met recently at Charleston Collegiate, there was a feedback session on summer reading. Participants were asked what did and didn't work. Not surprisingly, schools all over the country are experiencing similar dilemmas regarding how to reach the nonreaders. When the students aren't complaining, the parents are complaining, and vice versa.
As one middle school teacher said, "I want students to devour these books!" To that end, and after considerable discussion among faculty and staff, Charleston Collegiate devised a plan.
Faculty members were asked to name the books that had turned them on to reading. For Boyd, it was a teacher reading aloud "The Indian in the Cupboard." (For me, it was the Nancy Drew series. And for you ... ?) When they acknowledged that one book was often (if not always) the catalyst, they each chose one favorite book to recommend to students. The resulting list included these titles, as well as the name of the person recommending the title and a little blurb about the book.
The summer reading scenario: Choose and read a book from this list. On the first day of school, students will meet in small discussion groups with the faculty or staff member who recommended the book and the other students who read that book. Students in the Middle and Upper school are enthusiastic, and so is the faculty!
This plan is brilliant. One of my favorite aspects is that students have choices. Another strength is that students know the person who recommended the book. As an adult, the source of a recommendation is fundamental to me. For kids, it's the same.
The actual list of titles makes me laugh out loud. I loved some of the books. One of the books is on my personal list of "Top Worst." Others I hadn't read and didn't know existed. Which makes it the perfect list because there's something for everyone.
"Yea!" for Boyd and Charleston Collegiate.
A sample of titles: "The Power of One," "The Help," "A Child Called 'It,' " "Ultramarathon Man," "It Gets Better," "Flowers for Algernon," "Deryni Rising" and "South: The Endurance Expedition."
Reach Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.
