I kept a set of Gary Paulson books in my 5th grade classroom lending library. He wrote primarily coming of age/survival books for older children and young adults. His first book in the Brian series, Hatchet, a Newbery Honors book was wildly popular with my students. Once I'd read that aloud to my class there would be a run on his books i…
I kept a set of Gary Paulson books in my 5th grade classroom lending library. He wrote primarily coming of age/survival books for older children and young adults. His first book in the Brian series, Hatchet, a Newbery Honors book was wildly popular with my students. Once I'd read that aloud to my class there would be a run on his books in my little library. The one book I didn't share with my students, Guts, is a nonfiction telling of some of the harrowing events in Gary Paulson's life. If you think you're too mature and learned to appreciate Paulson's books, think again. Young Adult books are some of the best reading to be found.
I grew up without access to a library on a regular basis. As an adult I discovered juvenile fiction when our children started school and never looked back! Gary Paulson was one of our many favorite authors. Thank you for reading to your students, as a child we only had one teacher who read to us but fortunately I had parents who read to us until we could read to ourselves.
Daphne, I too kept Gary Paulson books in my classroom library. I taught 8th grade and I found reluctant readers who avoided it in 6th grade did pick it up and read it in 8th grade. It was wonderful to have great authors for Young Adult readers like Paulson.
I kept a copy of Watership Down available in my classroom though I read it aloud only one year. I loved the book and its message is certainly relevant today.
O Frank - you are so right; the The way the book and it was extremely difficult to read, but the way it is written gives such a wonderful way to deal with death. Especially for children. I am heavily paraphrasing now, but the sentence that really got me was:
“Knowing that he didn’t need his body any longer, he walked away with his new friend (death)”. Jeez, I get choked up just writing the final words. However, it is an almost sublime feeling and my hope is that I wish us all to have such a peaceful passing.
I am also thinking of Emily Dickinson‘s line, “I could not stop for death, so he kindly stopped for me.“
If you don’t believe Daphne, read Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Material series: Golden Compass, Subtle Knife, and Amber Spyglass. Young adult for adults!
And gain insight into them! I, too, had these books available in my middle-level classroom. The courage of their characters, the obstacles they overcome, the hope of good over evil triumphing are all lessons we need more than ever today!
Totally agree with you, Daphne. I sprinkle MG and YA books in between heavy contemporary affairs. As you wrote, sometimes we need inspiration, humor and art. I was a fan of Paulson, also Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Paterson, Rita Williams, Neil Gaiman, Kathi Appelt, et al. Wonderful, imaginative writers, all I dare to say they would be in agreement with HCR as they are all humanitarians, too.
I love Louise Penny. I just finished "The Madness of Crowds" so pertinent in these continuing Covid days. Thanks for the reminder to read "State of Terror."
Yes! Louise Penny is one of my absolute favorites. I fell in love with that whole series. Madness of Crowds did not disappoint and either will State of Terror. Clinton’s contributions to the story are easy to spot.
I kept a set of Gary Paulson books in my 5th grade classroom lending library. He wrote primarily coming of age/survival books for older children and young adults. His first book in the Brian series, Hatchet, a Newbery Honors book was wildly popular with my students. Once I'd read that aloud to my class there would be a run on his books in my little library. The one book I didn't share with my students, Guts, is a nonfiction telling of some of the harrowing events in Gary Paulson's life. If you think you're too mature and learned to appreciate Paulson's books, think again. Young Adult books are some of the best reading to be found.
I grew up without access to a library on a regular basis. As an adult I discovered juvenile fiction when our children started school and never looked back! Gary Paulson was one of our many favorite authors. Thank you for reading to your students, as a child we only had one teacher who read to us but fortunately I had parents who read to us until we could read to ourselves.
I read to my children until they could read themselves and then they read to me at their bedtimes until at least middle school.
Daphne, I too kept Gary Paulson books in my classroom library. I taught 8th grade and I found reluctant readers who avoided it in 6th grade did pick it up and read it in 8th grade. It was wonderful to have great authors for Young Adult readers like Paulson.
Did you read Watership Down aloud? My kids loved it. I just couldn’t not read aloud the last chapter, too emotional!
I read many books aloud to my students but not "Watership Down." I did have many students read it independently. Such a great one!
I kept a copy of Watership Down available in my classroom though I read it aloud only one year. I loved the book and its message is certainly relevant today.
O Frank - you are so right; the The way the book and it was extremely difficult to read, but the way it is written gives such a wonderful way to deal with death. Especially for children. I am heavily paraphrasing now, but the sentence that really got me was:
“Knowing that he didn’t need his body any longer, he walked away with his new friend (death)”. Jeez, I get choked up just writing the final words. However, it is an almost sublime feeling and my hope is that I wish us all to have such a peaceful passing.
I am also thinking of Emily Dickinson‘s line, “I could not stop for death, so he kindly stopped for me.“
Beautifully written Thank you
If you don’t believe Daphne, read Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Material series: Golden Compass, Subtle Knife, and Amber Spyglass. Young adult for adults!
...to take your mind off current events!
And gain insight into them! I, too, had these books available in my middle-level classroom. The courage of their characters, the obstacles they overcome, the hope of good over evil triumphing are all lessons we need more than ever today!
Exactly.
Totally agree with you, Daphne. I sprinkle MG and YA books in between heavy contemporary affairs. As you wrote, sometimes we need inspiration, humor and art. I was a fan of Paulson, also Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Paterson, Rita Williams, Neil Gaiman, Kathi Appelt, et al. Wonderful, imaginative writers, all I dare to say they would be in agreement with HCR as they are all humanitarians, too.
So true!
Thanks for the reading list Daphne! I am a voracious reader and I do love young adult fiction.
Currently reading fictional “State of Terror” by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton.
I love Louise Penny. I just finished "The Madness of Crowds" so pertinent in these continuing Covid days. Thanks for the reminder to read "State of Terror."
Yes! Louise Penny is one of my absolute favorites. I fell in love with that whole series. Madness of Crowds did not disappoint and either will State of Terror. Clinton’s contributions to the story are easy to spot.