[ISLMA-Share] Books for 6th Grade Avid Reader

Tue Sep 12 13:34:20 CDT 2017

I applaud Gretchen for bringing this up.  Although I’m at a high school where Lexile has been forgotten, (that was sooooo eighth grade, Mr. A.),  with my experiences at the public library, I still get twitches when the “L-word” is used.  Don’t get me wrong, I can see the positive and usefulness of Lexile, but…

Once upon a time, at the public library, I had kids wanting help finding a book to read but it had to be under ___ pages.  I hated that because so many good books passed over because they were so concerned about book length rather whether or not the story was or interest to them.  Then came Harry Potter.  Then pages mattered a bit less.  If they did question the page length (often it was the parents) I would remark that it was shorter than Harry Potter and the Longest Children’s Novel Ever Written by a Muggle Yet Fifth Graders Are Reading It in One Day.  The response was, “Well, then I should be able to read all of this…”

Then came Lexile.  Suddenly it became more important than your Social Security number (okay, slight exaggeration, but still…)!  Girls started telling boys, “I’m sorry; my father will only let me date boys with a Lexile level of 1646 or higher.”  (The rule at my house).  Again, the focus isn’t on does the plot seem intriguing; are the characters someone you’d want to hang out with?  What’s the harm of someone reading a fantastic story that may score just under their range?  And why not challenge them by letting read that novel that is age/maturity appropriate but a few Lexile points higher?  I do understand the benefits of Lexile but I think it shouldn’t be THE ONLY DECIDING factor in deciding what book to read.

I realize that I’m preaching to the choir so I will step off the pulpit before someone shoves me off.

DISCLAIMER:  Exaggerations and slight (key word) humor may have been included in this posting.  It is the result of the librarian being cooped up inside on such a beautiful day.

Brian Andrusyk
School Librarian/Sub Coordinator/Bookstore Manager
IC Catholic Prep
www.andrusykslibrary.weebly.com<http://www.andrusykslibrary.weebly.com/>

Currently Reading:
Born a Crime  by Trevor Noah

From: islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info [mailto:islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info] On Behalf Of Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 10:25 AM
To: islma at list.railslibraries.info
Subject: Re: [ISLMA-Share] Books for 6th Grade Avid Reader

I totally agree with Gretchen!

Kay Maynard

On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 8:45 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma at list.railslibraries.info>> wrote:

To play the devil's advocate here, why does a 6th grader with a Lexile of 1160 have to read a book that falls within their numeric parameters? What is the goal? A higher Lexile? Should not a student reading at this level be encouraged to branch out broadly and encounter classics, biographies and non-fiction that are challenging but also age-appropriate instead of finding a book within a constructed and constricting framework. Fahrenheit 451 has a Lexile of 890; Diary of a Wimpy Kid has a Lexile of 1010. That fact alone should cause educators some concern about the relevance of Lexiles to the promotion of literature and literacy.

My opinion is that the student should be able to read whatever they want as long as they are reading. Reading is a muscle; there is good research that shows that it's the time a student spends reading that drives their fluency. More time spent reading equals better readers. Isn't that the goal?

Doesn't help you help the student, but it is my two cents.

Gretchen Zaitzeff
Librarian
University High School
Normal, IL

________________________________
From: islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> <islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info>> on behalf of Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma at list.railslibraries.info>>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 3:18:14 PM
To: Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association
Subject: Re: [ISLMA-Share] Books for 6th Grade Avid Reader

What about the Inheritance Cycle? Those books are awesome, very long, and fine for sixth graders. I'd stay away from anything realistic fiction!

Pam

On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 8:18 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma at list.railslibraries.info>> wrote:
Not sure how good these would be for a 6th grader.

One of Us is Lying is about detention where five students go in and only 4 come out.

This is Where it Ends is about a High School shooting

Pretty mature content for a 6th grader.

Good Luck.

Karyn Nadler, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Robert Crown School
Wauconda, IL 60084

Phone (847) 526-7100
Fax (847) 487-3596

On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 10:42 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma at list.railslibraries.info>> wrote:
I have not read the books you listed so I cannot speak to that portion of your email.

As to your second part, I can give one glowing recommendation for The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. It is an 1160 Lexile. It is the first book in a LONG set of different series. The rest of the books in the different series have lower Lexiles, but if he likes it, he will love the rest of Brooks's books.

As an added note, the second book in the series (The Elfstones of Shannara) was made into a tv series (although not very true to the book) that started last year and will be starting season two in just a couple weeks.

Mr. Tim Yoder

Librarian
Harvard Junior High School
1301 North Garfield Street
Harvard, IL 60033
815-943-6466 ext.2337<tel:(815)%20943-6466>
Fax 815-943-8521<tel:(815)%20943-8521>
Email: tyoder at cusd50.org<mailto:tyoder at cusd50.org>

On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 10:28 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:islma at list.railslibraries.info>> wrote:
The parent of a son who is an avid reader has requested my opinion on three book titles concerning whether the content would be too mature for a sixth grader.  He has a very high Lexile level (exact level?) and his teacher is encouraging him to read at his Lexile level.  The parent is concerned that the content is too mature for a twelve year old (suicide, resurrecting the dead, etc.). I don’t know the titles but was hoping someone out there might be familiar with them so that you could give your thoughts.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is Not the End by Chandler Baker

In addition, any title suggestions that would be at a high Lexile and interesting to a sixth grade boy would be appreciated.  Thanks so much in advance.

Anne Groesch
Librarian
Jefferson Middle School/Springfield Public School District 186
3001 Allis
Springfield, IL  62703
217-585-5810<tel:(217)%20585-5810>
FAX-217-525-5814<tel:(217)%20525-5814>
TDD-217-525-3023<tel:(217)%20525-3023>
Internal 585-5810

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