Writing About Reading: From Book Talk to Literary Essays, Grades 3-8
by Janet Angelillo
Clearly what I need to do is write about what I've been reading! That way I can come back here to this blog to find my notes and maybe I won't have to re-read the whole book again every time I want to find some part of it.
Yesterday's reading introduced me to the idea of a "landmark text" which is a book:
We each have our own list of landmark books, because we each make our own personal connections to individual books. The author mentioned some common books that are often example-landmarks, but I haven't read most of them. One that she listed, though, I can say has had an impact on me is To Kill a Mockingbird. The first contact I remember with this story was watching the movie version on TV with my dad when I was a young teenager, then when my daughter read it in high school I read it again. (I think it was then; is that right Jennie?) For me the lesson about what is important in life was the integrity of a couple of the characters. One of them is the father of the character "Scout". Thus it was also a lesson about parenting, as I look back on it now. It has been a landmark for me for many years, not like I read it a lot. I don't even remember most of the character's names. Maybe I should revisit that great book. But for this blog entry the point is to give an example of what a landmark book is.
I want to bring this idea to my Literacy teaching this year. I am having trouble coming up with some common "landmark book" examples for primary grade students, and elementary grade landmark books in Spanish. Can you help me? What are some books from your childhood (or as a parent/grandparent/teacher reading to a child) that you could say helped define who you are? or that you often connect back to as you read other books? Do you think of any that are picture books with few words?
I'm not looking for a list of good books to read to my students, but instead a list of a few books that I could use as examples to demonstrate what a landmark book is... along with YOUR reason that this book is one of your landmarks. What is a connection you have made between that book from your childhood and your life or between that book and another book (even an adult book)?
Thanks for your help!!
Yesterday's reading introduced me to the idea of a "landmark text" which is a book:
"that remains in someone's mind long after the last page is read... a defining book in a reader's life. After reading [it], the reader is a different person, that is, a person is changed by the experience of reading the book. It often stands out because of theme, plot, or characters, and it can help a reader define who he is, what he believes, and what he thinks about the world."As with other landmarks, like say... the Front Range Mountains, it tells me where I am and even who I am. When I am away from this mountain range, I have a hard time knowing where WEST is. Sometimes I can figure it out if I imagine where the mountains would be if they were there where I am. They help me find my direction. They are my connection to the points on a compass.
We each have our own list of landmark books, because we each make our own personal connections to individual books. The author mentioned some common books that are often example-landmarks, but I haven't read most of them. One that she listed, though, I can say has had an impact on me is To Kill a Mockingbird. The first contact I remember with this story was watching the movie version on TV with my dad when I was a young teenager, then when my daughter read it in high school I read it again. (I think it was then; is that right Jennie?) For me the lesson about what is important in life was the integrity of a couple of the characters. One of them is the father of the character "Scout". Thus it was also a lesson about parenting, as I look back on it now. It has been a landmark for me for many years, not like I read it a lot. I don't even remember most of the character's names. Maybe I should revisit that great book. But for this blog entry the point is to give an example of what a landmark book is.
I want to bring this idea to my Literacy teaching this year. I am having trouble coming up with some common "landmark book" examples for primary grade students, and elementary grade landmark books in Spanish. Can you help me? What are some books from your childhood (or as a parent/grandparent/teacher reading to a child) that you could say helped define who you are? or that you often connect back to as you read other books? Do you think of any that are picture books with few words?
I'm not looking for a list of good books to read to my students, but instead a list of a few books that I could use as examples to demonstrate what a landmark book is... along with YOUR reason that this book is one of your landmarks. What is a connection you have made between that book from your childhood and your life or between that book and another book (even an adult book)?
Thanks for your help!!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog so far!! :-)
I think it was 8th grade when I read To Kill a Mockingbird.
The first book that came to mind for me as a "landmark book" from my childhood is The Giver. I think I first came across it in 5th grade when my teacher read it to the class and we had daily discussions about it. One of my best 5th grade memories because I remember feeling like we must be really grown up if we were reading such an intriguing book that warranted deep discussions about society. Maybe it's where I first gained my interest in sociology? The implications in the story about the "what if's" of our society are the things that make the book so memorable: what if there was no pain? What if we didn't have so many choices? What if there was no hunger? What if we didn't have the 'burden' of memories? What should we do with our elderly, children, and disabled? These are questions being asked in our country and the world all the time and this book takes a stab at the author's (Lois Lowry) idea of what our lives might look like if we did away with all pain and difficulties.
Anyways, this is more of an older kid's book but I know I read it in elementary school and I think it's still taught and read to children now, right? It always brings up interesting discussions and it's written at a level that kids can understand even though it brings up very high-level thinking (another reason it's great for kids! Teaches them that higher level of thinking about a story) It's still one of my favorite books!
If I think of any more landmark books I'll let you know :-)
Ah, yes. I remember when you wanted me to read the Giver also. Thanks for your thoughts, Jennie.
DeleteHere are a few books written for younger (and also not so young) readers. Do any of them seem like "landmark" books to you from your younger days?
Winnie the Pooh
Where the Wild Things Are
Corduroy