At the end of the day we gathered on the carpet, my fourth graders and I.
“So, guys, I’m going to a library book sale on Friday night, and I need your suggestions. Are there any particular books you’d like me to pick up if I see them? What’s missing from our library?”
“Graphic novels!” called a couple of voices.
“Yeah! Like Sisters and Smile!” someone said.
Hands flew up, waving frantically. Book titles and series names came fast and furious and I diligently jotted them down. “The Narnia books!” “The Stone Fox!” “The False Prince!” “Harry Potter!” My page quickly filled with titles. As students shared suggestions, the room filled with a buzz of vigorous nods and side comments like, “Oh, yeah, I love that book!” or “Those are great!”
Finally, I called on yet another enthusiastic student. “Where the Red Fern Grows,” he proclaimed. “You have got to get that book. I cried so hard when I read it.” Then he paused and declared with great sincerity, “That book is powerful!”
Nix the comfort zone 
Powerful books – he said it all.
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How great to give your students such voice – and your little friend is so right about Where the Red Fern Grows! I must have cried for two weeks straight after I read it at age 10. Powerful, indeed.
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So great that kids are excited over books!
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The best part of this post is the fact that they are 4th graders and they understand the power of a book! And what great recommendations they gave you!
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Here’s hoping I find some of those titles at the library sale!
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Love the way you pulled us into the world of your classroom. It’s a great post, probably largely because you’ve inspired so much passion around reading!
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I’d love to take credit for the enthusiasm, Melanie, but we’re only three weeks in…I’m giving a nod to families and previous teachers. 🙂
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I hope you found so many of their titles! How exciting for them to have a say!
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I’m going to the sale on Friday night. Keep your fingers crossed!
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Love!!!
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It sounds like you have a group of great readers, Molly. Hope all is going well as you settle into the year, and that you found the books the kids requested!
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It’s so wonderful when there is so much book love. I can’t keep graphic novels on my shelves and Sisters and Smile have a waiting list. Thanks for sharing your book love moment.
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My To-Be-Read pile is growing exponentially. It was so much easier when it primarily consisted of picture books and early chapter books!
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YES!
Keep that post to re-read on a tough day! Your students have so much enthusiasm and a love for reading!
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What a teacher! Using the wisdom of the class for the benefit of you all! Look forward to more stories of your growth and development as a fourth grade teacher. Do kids still read Judy Blume?
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Thanks, Dan. I’m not sure about Judy Blume. We have quite a few of her books but I’ve not seen anyone gravitate toward them yet. Perhaps I’ll do a book buzz on Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing–one of my favorites! By the way, did you know that she recently opened a book store in the Florida Keys?
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