Saturday, January 9, 2010

Participate in a fun poll

Last year, Betsy Bird, preeminent blogger for the School Library Journal, ran a poll of the top 100 picture books ever. The results were fascinating (here's a link). This year, she is conducting a new poll of the 100 best Fictional Chapter Books. Between now and January 31, come up with your top ten favorite middle grade books and send them to her in ORDER OF PREFERENCE.

What are middle grade books, you ask? They are books written for kids under the age of 13 who are reading full chapter books. Think From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, Harriet the Spy and When You Reach Me. Here's a link to her blog with all of the details.

As one who loves middle grade books, I can't wait to participate in the poll and even more importantly, see the results. She'll post the countdown sometime in the early spring, I imagine.

BookNosher Activity: This would be a great activity for a fourth, fifth or sixth grade class to participate in. They could either participate individually, or as a class. Plus, once the results roll in, kids will get some new ideas of books to read.

6 comments:

Sweet Reads said...

I'm going to have my class do this! Thanks for the idea!

Kathy B. said...

Hi Robin,
I am participating in the 2010 Comment Challenge and thought I would stop by and say hello. It sounds like you had a fantastic winter vacation. I need to get the 2017 solar eclipse date on my calendar. I am trying to think about my top 10 favorite Middle Grade books. I may do a post on that myself. Thanks for the idea!

Karen said...

I saw this on Fuse 8's blog, but never thought about using it with my 5th graders. Great idea -- thanks!

Bill said...

OK, so the other half of Literate Lives had a similar thought before reading the comments! I focus on the Caldecott in the library because it's easy to do with picture books, but this would give me the chance to do something with the older readers.

Robin Gaphni said...

I just sent in my top ten favorite middle grade books to Betsy. Can't wait to see how it all plays out!

Kathy Martin said...

I think this would be a great activity to use with my 5th graders. I am always looking for a way to put more books into their minds. I spend so much time on YA that I forget about Middle Grade books. I'll have to track the results. Thanks. (Visited via Comment Challenge 2010 and decided to become a follower.)