Class #2, November 20  Evaluating fiction  Christina’s book talk  Jack Gantos presentation  Lolly on Lynne Rae Perkins  Books for browsing Break  Discussion Papers Books: small group Books: entire class  Preview nonfiction

Evaluating fiction  Useful books Lessons  Engaging books High interest Emotional response  Good books Exemplary writing Enjoyment  learning

Warning signs  Too many coincidences  Too much happens  Some characters are believable while others are over the top (Are they all in the same movie?)  Tone doesn’t match what is happening  Dialogue doesn’t ring true (Nothing loses a reader faster than unbelievable dialogue)

Classic books  “Children’s Classics” Horn Book PDF  Anita Silvey recommendations: 500 Great Books for Teens  All over the web

Best of the year lists  Horn Book Fanfare  BCCB Blue Ribbon  ALA Notables  ALA BBYA Links to all of these on class website

Christina’s book talk The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Jack Gantos presentation Reid Bryant Chris Hokanson Along Kim

Lynne Rae Perkins  b in Pittsburgh PA  BFA in printmaking  Now lives in north woods of Michigan with husband and two children  Since picture books, 2 novels, all well received  BGHB honor books: Home Lovely and Snow Music  2006 Newbery Award for Criss Cross  Warmth of family, importance of friends, does not shy away from hard truths and complexity

Lynne Rae Perkins web resources Lynne Rae’s website (very basic, some ideas for teachers) Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books interview, NPR interview, January 2006 (read or listen) storyId= Profile by her editor (Horn Book, July 2006) jul06_duncan.asp

More recommended contemporary realism

BREAK

Discuss papers

Book discussion—small groups  Get into groups of ~6 people  Discuss All Alone in the Universe and Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key  Were Joey and Debbie believable characters? If so, how was this accomplished?  The biggest difference between these two books is TONE. How does this affect you as you read the book?

Horning’s nonfiction checklist  Accurate (acknowledgements, bibliography, glossary)  Organized  Engaging  Well written  Eye-catching presentation