a children's literature monthly | Volume I, Issue 2
March 2006 |
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:: kid picks |
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Once a month, The Edge of the Forest talks to a group
of kids about their favorite books.
This month, Kelly Herold, Big A little a, gave her mother,
Alice Herold
(a third-grade teacher), an assignment of her own—to find out what Third Graders in Hemet, California, like to read.
Humor ranks big with Mrs. Herold's Third Graders. Pacifica likes The Three Little Pigs
"because the three little pigs are funny and the big bad wolf tries to eat them." Anita prefers The Three
Little Wolves because, "it's funny and it's backwards of the Three Little Pigs." Nathen appreciates
Captain Underpants "because it's really funny," and Lily likes Mean Jean the Recess Queen
for its humor and because "the girl is really mean to everybody on the playground." Finally, Mariah
loves Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing "because it's funny and it has little kids in it."
Classroom reading has a positive impact on Third Graders. This year, Mrs. Herold's class is reading The Indian in
the Cupboard. Kylie likes The Indian in the Cupboard for just this reason: "because we are reading
it." Issac appreciates this title because "it's adventurous." Jordan prefers The Return
of the Indian "because it has a lot of adventures and characters."
Sometimes specific characters appeal to children. Angela likes Mary Kate and Ashley: When in Rome
"because she has been to Rome and she likes Mary Kate and Ashley." Justin loves to read Star Wars:
Revenge of the Sith "because my two favorite characters battle." Alexis prefers a Lizzie McGuire
novel in which "Lizzie spies on her friend Gordo, because she thinks his girlfriend is cheating on him, but she was wrong."
Adventure is the order of the day for a few of these Third Graders. Sadie turns to Frannie K. Stein: Attack
of the 50-ft. Cupid "because cupid smashed through the roof and Frannie said that's not the moon." Chris
likes a specific Animorphs title "about a boy turning into a reptile." Harry Potter has found
an audience with these Third Graders: Travis likes Potter "because they fight and use spells."
Neri appreciates Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix "because it's long."
Third Graders often use books to find the information they need. For that reason, Chrystinna turns to
Blue Whales. Pablo takes a look at Saturn because "it tells about Saturn and lets me look at pictures
about Saturn."
Finally, Third Graders are refreshingly honest about why they like one book more than another. Elijah reads Anna's
New Coat (one of my personal favorites as well) because, "they make a coat out of wool." Anthony likes Jonny
Appleseed "because I love fruit and he does, too." And, Spring's favorite book is Kit Saves
the Day "because it is about a girl who tries to save the day."
Mrs. Herold earns extra credit for asking another, related question: "Where is your favorite place
to read and why?"
Angela, Anita,
Elijah, Jessica, James, Scott, and Spring
all cite their own bed or bedroom as the best location for quiet reading. Comfort, quiet, and the absence of little brothers
make the bedroom an ideal location.
Certain chairs appeal to Third Graders. Anthony prefers his own desk chair, while Pablo
seeks out a "cozy chair" in his second living room.
Other locations in the home are attractive to Third Graders because of their comfort and privacy. Both Jordan
and Travis like to take over their mothers' rooms "because you can shut the door" and "because she's only
in there at night." Neri will read anywhere in her home "because it is fresh inside." Sadie
lounges on the couch because "it's quiet."
For some Third Graders, reading is an interactive experience. Chrystinna reads in the classroom and actually
looks forward to the Accelerated Reading Tests. Issac picks up a book at school "because my friends are there." Justin
sees the humor in reading at school, claiming he prefers to read "in the classroom because it's quiet (joke)."
Jazmyn also reads at school, but seeks out the silence of the library for her reading experience.
California kids aren't just confined to their homes and schools for reading. They also read outdoors. Three of Mrs. Herold's
Third Graders find their treehouses ideal for some quiet reading. Nathen says his treehouse is "cool" inside,
and Kylie agrees treehouse reading is great "because we have very nice weather." Chris
like collaborative reading in his treehouse because he "reads to his dog." Alexis agrees outside is best
because "you can read to people." Mariah takes her books west to the beach "because it is always sunny."
Finally, Lily has really hit the nail on the head with her chosen location. She likes to read "in my imagination, because it is
quiet and no one can bother me."
A big thanks to Alice Herold and her Third Graders at Ramona Elementary in Hemet, California. Keep on reading, kids!
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