My students need access to young adult novels that are relevant and relatable for them. These are just some highly demanded choices (Divergent Series, Legend Trilogy and Red Rising) that I think could get them started!
I see 3/4 of all of the high school students at my school through my classroom every day. These kids need a chance to find books outside of the curriculum that will capture their hearts and imaginations. I want my "I hate reading" kids to end the year with "but I loved THESE books."
The school I teach in has around 400 students in it total between middle school and high school.
Thankfully, we have small classes as a result, which means I can connect with my students a lot more closely than other years. Unfortunately, it's not in the most privileged part of town in terms of access to education, literature, and other essentials. The whole school is on free lunch and many of my students don't have computers at home, making it all the more important that I introduce them to every opportunity possible to advance reading and writing and communicating skills. Thankfully, my students are very enthusiastic and eager to prove themselves!
My Project
My school library often has popular books in high demand, but low supply, so the books on this list ( (Divergent Series, Legend Trilogy and Red Rising) would belong exclusively to my class library where my students can access them at their convenience. I want my students to be able to re-read popular titles they loved, or ones they saw as a movie, and to expand their horizons further by reading similar titles and ones they would not have thought of looking over before, or may not have even known of. Easy access to relevant literature opens the doors for my students, who may or may not typically enjoy reading simply due to what literature they have been force-fed in curriculum past, to find a love for reading.
My students will be able to use materials that they choose to become stronger readers on their terms, rather than going by what the State Standards demand of them.
I want every student in my class to find a new favorite book, and I'm hoping that this selection will be an enticing bunch for them to open their minds to and explore.
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