kokotg Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I volunteered to run a kids' book club at our local homeschool center for ages (approximately) 6 through 10. The first meeting is tomorrow, and they read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. And then tomorrow I'm going to let them vote on the next book--either Cricket in Times Square or Stuart Little. But I need some help coming up with choices for the rest of the year. It's a pretty broad age range, so I need books that will interest older kids but still be accessible to younger kids (reading level isn't especially important; parents can read the books to the kids who aren't strong readers yet). I also need books that lend themselves to discussion and analysis (I'm doing a lot of introduction to literary terms and criticism kind of stuff). And then also a mix of male and female protagonists and no books so "girly" or "boyish" that half the group will likely hate them. I have some ideas, but I'd love to have a bigger list to pick from, and I know you all will have great suggestions. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Have you read the book Deconstructing Penguins? It's all about teaching literary analysis to that age group. It includes book lists and gives you some great discussion questions for several of the books. The author led book clubs at the library for kids in that age group for several years and wrote the book based on his experience. It would be a good place to start. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Have you read the book Deconstructing Penguins? It's all about teaching literary analysis to that age group. It includes book lists and gives you some great discussion questions for several of the books. The author led book clubs at the library for kids in that age group for several years and wrote the book based on his experience. It would be a good place to start. :001_smile: I have read it--thanks! That's one of the reasons I picked Mixed-up Files to start with...I pulled some ideas for tomorrow from the section on it in the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I have read it--thanks! That's one of the reasons I picked Mixed-up Files to start with...I pulled some ideas for tomorrow from the section on it in the book. I should have asked, I knew there was some sort of connection between Mixed-up Files and Deconstructing Penguins....:lol: I am reading Stuart Little right now with my dd5, we have 2 chapters to go and are loving it! As for other titles, I have no idea. I hope you get some good replies, I would like to add some more to my list as well. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Half Magic (by Edward Eager) come to mind since I've read them recently. :001_smile: Half Magic would make for some really interesting discussions, but it might be harder to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 How about Nim's Island or Charlotte's Web? Skylark, The Tale of Desperaux, Poppy, The Magician's Nephew, James & the Giant Peach, Abel's Island.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmulcahy Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 My whole family enjoyed The Little Princess. My son even loved it. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 For our book club (we just started in the latter half of last year) we have done Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat and Anne of Green Gables. We also did Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker. This was a bit too much for the youngers in our group so we did an accompanying picture book ( Follow the Drinking Gourd) as well for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I'm not sure I'd give kids that age a lot of choice, except to maybe tell me what types of books they enjoy. How can they know a book is wonderful until they read it?! I might have at least a couple books just for laughs. I've done a Venn diagram comparing different funny books with ds, which helped bring out some things. I'm thinking books like -- Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Pippi Amelia Bedelia (these look easy but actually require some adult guidance with vocabulary in order to get the real fun) Hank the Cowdog (books like this go better if you read the first part aloud & ham it up, or listen to an audio at the beginning) Things like that. I actually find these sorts of books referenced in other places, so it's good to be familiar with them. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I am huge Because of Winn Dixie fan for that age group. All of my children loved Dahl's The BFG at those ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rawbanana Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 How about 'The Littles' series? My girls really enjoy that one... Anna mom of 5 in NE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLCH Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Best of luck ~ I've thought about starting a book club here and just knew we'd include A Wrinkle in Time!! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meet me in paris Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I'm teaching a lit class for ages 7-10 this fall, and we're doing: My Father's Dragon The Cat Who Went to Heaven The Whipping Boy Sarah, Plain and Tall They're all Newbery medal/honor books. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Encyclopedia Brown Series is a good series for boys that age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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