Keri has been a media clerk at Moss Elementary for ten years.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons, The Book of Mormon, and The Reading Zone: How to Help Students Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual and Critical Readers by Nancie Atwell.
What was the last great book you read?
Wonder by R.J. Palacio, I think every 5th and 6th grader should read it.
The last book that made you cry?
The War That Changed My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The last book that made you laugh?
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party by Nathan Hale. I know it is not a funny story, but Nathan Hale’s clever writing made me laugh.
What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you the most?
I loved to read from the very beginning, probably because my parents read to me. I loved P.D. Eastman’s books, in fact, Go, Dog, Go and Are You My Mother are still at the top of my favorite books list. I read all of Beverly Cleary’s books, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods series, Marguerite Henry’s horse stories (hers and everyone else’s, I loved books about horses), and Donald Sobol’s Encyclopedia Brown series. I also read many of Louis Lamour’s books because I saw my dad reading them.
What is the best book you were required to read as a student?
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I could cry right now just thinking about it.
What book did you hate reading as a student?
I really can’t think of one… I must have blocked it out.
What is your favorite book to recommend to children?
Aside from the books I’ve already mentioned, I love to recommend any Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. I think they work for all ages.
If you could only bring three books to a desert island, which would you pack?
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster- I think it is such a clever book with many layers
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor- because I have been wanting to read it again
The Book of Mormon– I think it is a must-read
Thanks for sharing.
I love the Nathan Hale Books, It brings another view to history that the boys love. Can’t keep them in.
I loved My Brother is a Superhero! I wish the second one was just as good, but I found it to be not as entertaining. Thanks for sharing!
I also read Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I loved them.
The Nathan Hale history books never stay on my shelf long enough for me to read them. May have to take some home over the summer.
We have a lot of favorites in common, I also loved Where the Red Fern Grows, Little House books and Louis Lamour books. Great memories from childhood!
I think The Phantom Tollbooth is brilliant. All book lovers should treasure it.
This By the Book feature is awesome! I love hearing what others are reading and what they would recommend for students. I loved Where the Red Fern Grows as well. It would be a great book for upper grade students to read. It teaches so many lessons that we all need to learn.
The aides in our behavior unit LOVED the Donner Party. They needed a laugh. ;-)
My students still love, “Where the Red Fern Grows.” I don’t think that book will ever grow old. I just bought the Phantom Tollbooth a wonderful story. :)
I loved ‘Wonder’ also. I think I am going to try ‘The Donnor Party’.
I second what you said about the amazing book Wonder. Donner Dinner Party and the other books in that series by Nathan Hale have helped kids enjoy reading about history. Those are always checked out. I liked that you said your dad read Louis Lamour because my dad did too! It was so nice to read about you and the books you love!!
Our students love the Nathan Hale graphic novels too. It is great to have a format that gets the kids reading about history! Wonder has been on my list of favorites along with the War That Saved My Life. I love books that give perspective and insight. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for bringing up some book I have not read. I am taking Roll of Thunder home tonight and reading it. It was one that hasn’t circulated for a long time and I wondered about it when the discussion was going around about weeding the classics. Now I will certainly will give it another chance.
I love Nathan Hales Hazardous Tales. What an imagination!