Yesterday one of the students in my Green Class, Jennifer, stopped me after class to tell me that she wrote to author
Ellen Hopkins. Jennifer has been reading all of Ellen Hopkins' books in verse and has really been drawn not only to the realistic characters but also the tough teen topics that Hopkins carefully explores in her books. Apparently Jennifer was so moved by all of the books that she felt compelled enough to research Hopkins online and to email her. She told Hopkins that she loved her books and was wondering if she would be in the Rochester, NY area anytime soon. As it turns out, Hopkins replied to her thanking her for taking the time to write and also said that she would be making an appearance on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the
5th Annual Greater Rochester Teen Book Fair (TBF) hosted at Nazareth College. Ellen Hopkins, Terry Truman, David Leviathan, and several others were all present at the
4th Annual Teen Book Fair signing books, answering questions, and holding sessions to meet interested readers and fans. Jennifer was tickled pink to have heard from her favorite author and really excited about the idea of seeing her in person later this year.
This morning in the Yellow Class, Lola came into first period saying that she had just read the "best book ever." She had started and finished
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. She admitted that she was an avid Twilight fan and that this book was even better than the Twilight series. She told us that she stayed up late last night to finish the book and that she did research online to see if there would be a movie of it coming out soon. She watched some
trailers for the movie and asked me if I had known that there was a sequel to the book called
Crescendo. I told her that I did know about
Crescendo and that in my Amazon account, it was continually being recommended for me to purchase. So we got out my Droid and ordered it right then and there. She pushed the "Order With 1-Touch" button and the order was placed. Just in case you can't wait for it Lola, here is
Fitzpatrick's site where you can listen to the first chapter...enjoy! We first bought the book because it was on the YALSA's Teen Top 10 List this year ranking in at #5. I'm so happy we did. I'll never forget Lola, clutching the book to her chest as she walked it back to the bookshelf for others to enjoy. She knew that it was time to put it back but she really didn't want to. I could see and feel the connection she had with the book and am hopeful that others will find books that they love as much as she loved this one. This is why I teach.
Just when you think things are seeming bleak in classroom, there are moments like these that lift you back up again and inspire you for another day. Thank you my friends. Ms. B
LESSON IDEAS: Consider having students write and send emails of thanks to their favorite authors. As a teacher, I realize that this certainly isn't a new lesson idea but it is less about the writing of the letter than it is about the communication with an author, providing them with positive feedback and encouragement, and the positive effect it can have on students. Jennifer's actions reminded me just how important it is to reach out into the reading community and to get involved. It is inspiring!
I would also consider having students research lists of books related to or similar to ones that they already like. My knowledge only goes so far. I'm not a huge fan or certain genres but I'm getting better at expanding my knowledge base in fantasy and graphic novels this year. I create book displays similar to those in Blockbuster and books stores that say "If you like this...try this!" And line up books on the chalk tray in the back of my classroom. I think I need to instead (or in addition) push my students to do this. I think that there is power in students speaking about books with the same passion and inspiration that Lola did that is even more powerful than anything I could say to them in a book share.
The other lesson idea I have her is for students to share and record these very valuable reading experience anecdotes with the class, in small groups, in a reading log, or on a blog. This is exactly the type of thing I would love to hear my students blog about, not because I asked them to but instead because they were inspired to write about and to document thos powerful learning experiences that occur just as they did for Jennifer and for Lola.
