Some friends, my husband and I were just discussing literature and reading over the weekend. I think prompted by a "15 favorite books" survey on Facebook. My husband is an avid reader. He started his love of reading with support from his family and a teacher that would let him read science fiction books for class. He still mixes science fiction in with more classic selections.
In a recent article in the New York Times there is an interesting discussion about how students are exposed to reading. It looks at the group read method at one end of the spectrum versus a method championed by Nancie Atwell that allows students to pick the books they want to read. It seems pretty easy to make arguments for both and a middle ground. Personally, it would make me (and my husband) sad if students aren't exposed to one of our favorite books "To Kill a Mockingbird". Hopefully those with the ability to select their own books will give it a try. It might end up on their "15 favorite books" list someday. Of course the students in the article seem to be making some great selections on their own. Maybe I should follow their lead. I could always modify my list, right?



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