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Class novels in primary schools

Posted by Jacinta Verbeeten on May 17, 2011 at 3:22pm

Hi

 

I'm new at working in a primary school library. I get lots of requests from teachers to find novels suitable for them to read aloud to their classes - mostly Grade 3, 4, 5 & 6. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help teachers source suitable books? Are there any good websites with guides? It's also great if the books have teacher notes/study guides. I am an early childhood trained teacher (before working in the library) so I'm great with picture books but finding it hard to find suitable material for the older primary classes. 

 

Any help would be appreciated.  

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Replies

  • Ronald Hart August 3, 2011 at 10:30pm

    Hi

    I am a middle school teacher in Australia (grade 3,4,5 and 6) and a teacher-librarian. I have just self-published a collection of short stories you may be interested in. I have read it to my classes and other teachers have read the stories to their classes with great results. Kids love them. My book is available in a variety of electronic formats on my web site. There is also a free story from the book on the web site you can print off and test out with your students. The address is http://www.wattlecreekbooks.com .

    Please let me know how the students respond to the story.

  • Jacinta Verbeeten August 1, 2011 at 6:43pm
    Thanks all for your advice/suggestions.  I guess I always knew that the best way was to read as many books as possible and I do try to do that it's just not always easy to fit it all in (I am also a part-time Prep class teacher and have a toddler at home with another baby on the way)!! I'll certainly check out some of the publishers websites etc for some info and teaching guides.
  • Alexis Cuff July 29, 2011 at 3:10am
    Andrew Clements writes school themed books that could provide good discussion starters. As far as just a good story, I love The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, or Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. These are stories that have the main characters going on an adventurous quest to find the meaning for life.
  • Jean July 27, 2011 at 7:13pm
    I also read a lot of books in order to make suggestions. Some more authors to consider -Michael Morpurgo-Anthony Horowitz (boys love him)-Blue Balliett-Cornelia Funke-Eva Ibbotson-Andrew Clements.  Publishers websites very often have guides and discussions: Example: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/read.jsp
  • Tracie King July 6, 2011 at 12:12pm

    It takes time but each year I read a lot of books so I can suggest.  There is also a ton of information on the web about what books go with certain themes.  Some great authors for students this age are Avi - Richard Peck - Jerry Spinelli - Ann Martin - Sharon Creech - Christopher Paul Curtis - Gordon Korman - Gary Paulsen - Rick Riordin - Judy Blume -

     

    These are a few of my favorites but there are many more.  Happy reading!

  • Jacinta Verbeeten May 17, 2011 at 3:23pm
    I am also new to Teacher Librarian Ning!!
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