Gr6 Book Kit 19.20
Crossing the Great Divide into Middle School
Hello Gr6 ELA Teachers! I created a book Kit of Crossing the Great Divide (into middle school) for this year, rather than hosting a Battle of the Books.
My hope: get kids excited about reading books! How? By offering them choices of solid novels about a theme that connects to their lives and learning. Invite kids to talk about great stories! Ask them which books they like best and why? Prompt kids to talk up books to other kids!
There are at least 5 copies of each book. One teacher could use the kit for a month and then swap. This book kit will explore the challenges and opportunities that face many incoming middle schoolers.
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
- Friendship
- Bullying
- Multiple Points
- Learning Ally, yes
- Libby, yes
- 560L
- copies: 6 (3 checked out 10.11)
- unofficial book trailer
- publisher's page
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
- Absent parents
- Misfit
- LatinX
- Adventure
- Language
- Learning Ally, no
- Libby, yes
- 580L
- copies: 6
- author's page
- author interview
Takedown by Laura Shovan
- Wrestling
- Gender roles
- Learning Ally, no
- Libby, no
- 610L
- copies: 5
- publisher's info
Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes
- Novel in verse
- African American
- Overweight
- Bullying
- Learning Ally, yes
- Libby, yes
- copies: 5
- 620L
- author's page with resources
- unofficial book trailer
The Secret Sheriff of 6th Grade by Jorden Sonnenblick
- Bullying
- Family Dysfunction
- Friendship
- Learning Ally, no
- Libby, yes
- copies: 6
- 760L
- publisher's page
- unofficial book trailer
Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff
- Grief
- Middle school start
- Redemption
- Learning Ally, yes
- Libby, yes
- copies: 4
- 700L
- unofficial book trailer
- author's page w/ resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check them out to kids? On each book there is a Book Kit number. Use a class roster to write down the number each student decided to use.
Will students be charged for lost or damaged books? Yes. When they use the book, they are assuming responsibility of if (like any other library book). We will use the Book Kit number to assess fines.
How would you recommend that I use them? Book Kits are great to use in formal and informal ways. Here a few resources to inspire your thinking:
- Lit Circles the Harvey Daniels way
- Book Clubs the Pernille Ripp way
- Talk it Up! the Multnomah Library way
- Making the Most of In-class Book Clubs the Edutopia way
Would you be willing to co-plan this reading workshop with me? Yes! If you'd like to use some time to plan how to use the Book Kit with your students, I'd love to do that with you. We could craft learning targets, create schedules, determine assessments... and more!