Gr 9 Literature Circle: Book Selection Process
Name: ______
Question:
Why are we doing this?
Answer:
This booklet allows students more choice in their classroom reading (in novel studies the teacher always chooses the book and in literature circles the teacher usually chooses the books available). Individually, you will fill out this worksheet and rank each novel. I will count the votes for each novel and pick the top five. Only these five will be included in our literature circles unit.
Question:
So, will you be able to read whatever you want?
Answer:
Not for sure. This is because not all of selections in this booklet will be included in our actual literature circle unit. Therefore, sadly, you may not end up reading your first choice during this class, but can always take it out from the library if you would like to read it at home or during silent reading (once lit circles are done).
Even if your first choice is chosen to be used in this unit, not everyone will be able to start the unit reading his or her first choice (although I do try to arrange this). However, once you’re done your first selection, you are allowed to choose another book. So, sometimes students end up starting with their second or third choice but will have the opportunity to read their first choice later on.
Project Instructions (make sure you do each step):
1. Create a word document. Save it (Last name First Name Lit Circle Selection Project).
2. Find the list of books on my website and copy it to your word document (also listed here, but you won’t have to type them out if you copy and paste from my website). Do thorough research for each novel (summary, length, genre).
3. Rate each novel out of ten (1 = This book is not a good choice for me/ 10= Yes! I want to read this!!!). You need to carefully consider what you’d most like to read and explain why (in one or two sentences).
4. Recommend which three novels should be removed from the list and explain why. Then recommend three titles that you think should be added to the list and explain why.
5. Self –assess the rubric, staple it to your project and hand in your worksheet.
The Book List
1. The Hobbit by Tolkien
2. Touching Spirit Bear by Mikaelsen
3. House of the Scorpion by Farmer
4. Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
5. Chanda's Secrets by Stratton
6. Ender's Game by Card
7. Gone by Michael Grant
8. Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
9. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
10. Private Peaceful by Morpurgo
11. Speak by L Anderson
12. The Weirdo by T Taylor
13. Unwind by Shusterman
14. War of the Eagles by Walters
15. The Uglies by S. Westerfeld
16. Airborn by K. Oppel
17. White Girl by S Olsen
18. Hunger Games by S. Collins
19. Catching Fire by S. Collins
20. The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
21. The Maze Runner by J Dashner
22. Wounded by Eric Walters
Self-assess. How did you do on this activity?
5 / Student has obviously carefully considered the novels one at a time and has something interesting to report about each one. The student takes the time to add details when discussing each novel. The novels are rated in a logical order.3 / Student seems to have rushed through the novel descriptions; comments about the novels may not be entirely relevant, although some consideration has gone into them. Not many details have been added. The novels are rated in a somewhat logical order.
1 / Student has rushed through the novel connection portion of the assignment, often not fully answering questions.
Note: I will try and give you your first choice in novel, but may not be able to give everyone their first choice. Sometimes students end up starting with their second choice but will have the opportunity to read their first choice later on.