FeedCelebrate Middle-Grade Novels!
May 2, 2011 in Book Club Possibility, Elementary Educators, Middle Grade Novel, six traits of writing Tags: middle-grade novels, six plus one traits of writing, WOW! Online Classes
I’ve decided this week I am going to celebrate middle-grade novels. I just finished teaching the WOW! Women On Writing Course, “Writing a Middle-Grade Novel,” and it has me so excited about this genre–again. (By the way, that class will be starting again on May 11 if you are beginning or in the middle of writing a middle-grade novel. For more info, look here. ) So, I decided on Thursday, I’m going to do a book giveaway I’ve been waiting to do–it’s a middle-grade novel, full of ghost stories! And today, I’m going to tell you some of my writing students favorite middle-grade novels. Now remember, these students are aspiring middle-grade novelists, not elementary/middle school students, but that’s why this genre is becoming so popular. EVERYONE IS READING IT–not just kids.
If you haven’t checked out some of these books, make it a point to do so. Share them with your students and kids. And of course, don’t forget to use them. Find discussion points. Look for ways to teach the six plus one traits of writing. Does one book have a particularly good voice? What do you think of the author’s word choice? How about the beginning? Did it catch your attention? And so on. . .(that’s how easy it is to work the 6 + 1 traits into ANY lesson about ANY book–with one child or many!)
And the list. . . (recommended by former WOW! Women On Writing online course students)
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
- Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
- Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
- Skellig by David Almond
- The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith
- The Gravesavers by Sheree Fitch
- Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Happy reading and happy celebrating the middle-grade novel. Check back on Thursday for the middle-grade book contest giveaway!
May 2nd, 2011 at 7:02 am
Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:12 am
A few of my favorites are on your list, Margo, and there’s a few I’ll need to add to MY list. But my new favoritest (yeah, I kinda made up that word) is “A Tale Dark and Grimm.” LOVED it.
Oh! And I’m suprised “The Mysterious Benedict Society” didn’t make your list. Have you read any of that series?
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:37 am
Because of Winn Dixie is a favorite of mine. I love all of Hilary McKay’s books. Saffy’s Angel is probably the best known, but her books are funny and poignant and just fabulously great reads. For ghost stories, Mary Downing Hahn is a favorite. I love her book, The Old Willis Place.
May 3rd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for all the suggestions, Clara!
May 3rd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
I haven’t. These are mostly from the students in my class. I’ll have to look that series up.
May 3rd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Love Jack Gantos. I was lucky enough to have him come to an elementary school where I taught one time. Very entertaining!