The Eyes Have It!

 From Conferring the Keystone of Reader's Workshop, p. 67

• You know him… he often sits in the back of the group during read aloud.  Usually listening, drawing quietly in his notebook.

• You know him… he came from a school where reading was all about prizes, speed, and tests.  His reading was “accelerated” to the point that his purpose was strictly to read for points.

• You know him… he’s rarely been nudged to “think deeply about concepts of great import.” (Keene). 

• You know him… he’s not quite developed a sense of “self” as a reader—let alone a sense of purpose.

• You know him… he is complacent, but not engaged.  Endurance and stamina seemly foreign words.

The first day he enters the classroom with wide eyes and wonder… books everywhere, rituals and routines lending themselves to ownership, readers talking to one another with authenticity and respect.   There are no worksheets, no fill-in-the-blank forms, no corporate-controlled road maps, no computer comprehension tests.  Readers read a wide variety of text… mostly self-chosen.  Strategy instruction is the norm.  Reader’s roles are defined through collaborative decision-making.  “What are you thinking?” ruminates from reader to reader.  A deer in the headlights?  Perhaps.

But you know it’s just a matter of time before he catches on… puts away books that better serve as hand weights (strong biceps, weak minds).  You know it’s just a matter of time before he starts using his notebook to record authentic responses to reading experiences.  You know it’s just a matter of time before his voice floats on “the sea of talk” during crafting lessons.  You know it’s just a matter of time before he realizes that he has important things to say in a classroom where real readers work together to raise the bar of purpose and passion.  You know that eventually your reading conferences will be "deep, not surface."  You know “Where choice lives, understanding prospers!”  And you wait… and watch… and nudge… time moves on...

Then one day, he brings you a book and says, “You have to read this book to the class, Mr. Allen!”  You close your eyes, look down, and you’re surprised to see him holding Edward’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan.  “Remember when you read Word After Word After Word.  This is by the same author.  It’s the BEST book I’ve ever read…”

“Why is it the best book?  Tell me about that...”

“Trust me, Mr. Allen.  Just read it.”  So I do.

Have you read it?  To be honest, I hadn’t; one of the few Patricia MacLachlan books I hadn't read.  But I'm so glad I (we) did.  Patricia MacLachlan has created in Edward’s Eyes (click to listen to her interview) a moving portrait of Edward and his family.  Edward lives in the kind of family that we all want to live in... full of respect and love.  His brother Jake narrates this text and takes us on a journey that begins and ends with Edward.  Our first thoughts?  To be honest, we were confused, but then... we were awestruck.

Thus began my classroom's journey into Patricia MacLachlan.  Sarah, Plain and Tall began flying off the shelves (as did the sequels).  Once I Ate a Pie had students laughing and crying during reader's workshop.  Through Grandpa's Eyes caused them to reflect on their own grandparents.  What You Know First started incredible notebook entries about "beginnings."  Baby! stretched readers in new directions... as did Arthur for the Very First Time and The Facts and Fictions of Minnie Pratt.  Waiting lists began appearing on title pages.  And who started the exploration? 

Not me.  I merely listened and nudged. 

This is just ONE of many student-created waiting lists...

"Have you noticed that Patricia MacLachlan writes a lot about movement?  Think about it... in Painting the Wind she wrote about painting the wind... movement, in Edward's Eyes she wrote about the movement of a knuckle ball!"

"I love how she writes about the sea and the prairie and the sea and the prairie!  She writes about what she knows... there's a connection between all her books."

"Edward's Eyes began with Edward and ended with Edward.  I didn't get at first, but I read it again after we read it... it's about new beginnings!"

"She writes about hope."

"She writes about family." 

"There's always a sense of 'song' in her books... I think mostly because of the way she writes with rhythm." 

"I love her words.  And I love when she throws me a zinger... and I have to think!"

• • • • • • 

You know him... 

He's the one who know belongs to a community of readers! 

The "eyes" have it...

All Will Be Well

Jo Knowles was one of the authors I met at a dinner gathering in November.  Her book See You at Harry's is beautifully written.  Ms. Knowles has developed characters who grab your heartstrings.  Ms. Knowles has created a story that makes you laugh, cry, laugh, cry.  Ms. Knowles has wrapped words around a plot that leaves you breathless.  Ms. Knowles has written a story about bullying, family, tragedy, conflict... all real issues.  Writing in first person, Ms. Knowles takes readers on an incredible journey.

"The truth feels like it's crushing me.  Drowning me before I even get to my knees."  This quote from the book is exactly how you'll feel when you sit down (tissues in hand) to read it.  The truth of Ms. Knowles writing is strong, emotional, sincere.  The truth of her ability to write an incredible story is without questions.   

     Ms. Knowles signed her book, "All will be well!'  "All will be well" is Ran's mantra to Fern, his best friend.  Fern is the main character, whose life is "invisible" to those around her... until an unexpected turn of events changes things forever.  Reading See You at Harry's is like taking a personal journey; a journey through tragedy, a journey through survival.  I'd describe it with one word--breathtaking!

     I am slipping this one onto my daughter's "must-read" pile.  As an 8th grader, I think it will be the perfect book for her to read.  Powerful characters.  Important issues.  This is a wonderful book.  It's a testament to the strength of love and family. 

• • • • • • • • 

I love this interview with Jo Knowles, click here.

Junonia - A Gem

I just picked up Kevin Kenkes's Junonia.  It's a wonderful little story about a girl named Alice who vacations in Florida each year.  As she turns ten, she's worried about her birthday... worried it won't be the perfect birthday. 

     As she goes to celebrate with her family, she has to deal with a lot of changes occurring in Sanibel Island (her family's yearly vacation spot)... this year's vacation is different from vacations of the past.  She comes to love the cottage neighbors, but this year one of her favorites is not there.  Alice has to deal with her mother's friend and her boyfriend's daughter... a six-year-old!  There's an awkwardness to turning ten that Henkes captures beautifully in this book... about the changes children go through and how they handle it. 
     He helps Alice move through the changes she's experiencing beautifully.  Henkes writes about Alice's life in such a poignant and stunning way.  During her trip, Alice longs to find a rare junonia shell for her collection, but takes with her so much more... memories and remembrances to last a lifetime.  From the pitter patter of rain to the feelings that Alice experiences, Henkes captures the life of a ten-year-old in such a gentle and thoughtful way.  I loved this book! 

     You can listen to Kevin Henkes talk about the book and why it's so important to him.  Such a purposeful and thoughtfully written book.  I just gave it to my daughter to read and I can't wait for her review!

Katherine Hannigan... and Her Plans to Enrich our Reading Lives

Don't you love Katherine Hannigan?  Ida B. is one of my favorite books for children.  And with True (Sort of...) she's added a compelling new book to my growing list of "must haves."  I secretly love the covers of her books, books that are as beautiful between the pages as they are on the outside!
     There's something endearing about Delly, the main character of this book.  She's got a rough edge about her and makes decisions to change.  She forms special relationship with Ferris Boyd, her little brother Brud, and RB which creates for us, the reader, something special.  Together, the four characters teach us so much about compassion and caring... and by the end we grow to love them.  Four friends who eventually help each other deal with life.
     I love that Ms. Hannigan writes about teachers with such honest light.  Lionel Terwilliger is the teacher in this book.  I read that Ms. Hannigan says about the teachers in her books, "I focus on the wonderful ones, though, because that's what I'd wish for every kid every day!"  Perhaps that's why I find her books so intriguing, because she finds those of us in our profession so intriguing! 

     When you read a book by Katherine Hannigan, you leave for the better.  You leave with a little more compassion.  You leave with a little more insight about childhood.  You leave with an understanding of smart writing craft.  You leave with some laughter.  Most importantly, you leave knowing that her next book can't help but be beautifully written.

     In Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possible) Save the World, Katherine wrote:  "I closed my eyes, put my right hand on top of the book, and passed it lightly across the cover. It was cool and smooth like a stone from the bottom of the brook, and it stilled me. A whole other world is inside there, I thought to myself, and that's where I want to be."  That's exactly what I did when I picked up True (Sort of...).  I knew I wanted to be in her book as soon as possible!  It's a great find.

Like, um, Pickle Juice...

"I had a bad August.

A very bad August.

As bad as pickle juice on a cookie.

As bad as a spider web on your leg.

As bad as the black parts on a banana.
I hope your August was better.

I really do."

      So starts Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg.  There's something pleasantly sweet and enduring about this little novel.  It's the perfect example of a writer taking childhood moments and expanding them in to a rich and well-woven story.  I may be reading it aloud to my sixth grader at home.  Why?  Because I think it's exactly the kind of "chapter book" that a sixth grader could write, if he or she wanted to write one!

     There's a sense of warmth and gentleness and humor woven throughout this tale.  And, I think it's a text that young readers and writers can connect to... simple, well-written, free verse.  Young readers will find the text accessible.  Young writers will say, "I think I can write something similar!"  It's charming. 

     I chose it because "pickle juice" is a favorite term used around our house.  You're so full of pickle juice!  You smell like pickle juice!  What's it in this chicken that makes it taste so good... um, pickle juice!   And while I solely chose it for the title... within its pages I found a delightful novel.  A great read aloud for young readers too.   I think it captures the spirit of childhood perfectly.