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Great Character!
By Sandy Meagher
This month's picks are perfect for character studies and for encouraging kids to develop characters of their own
Great book characters will inspire kids to dream up characters of their own.
Attracting middle grade readers is a true art. Sometimes what I think is a great idea goes over like a lead balloon. I gave away free paperback books during National Book Week and the fifth graders were not very responsive. When I talk to middle grade teachers, they understand that you have to have a hook to catch these students. "So, what shall it be?" I wondered.
One brainstorm was to have students set a goal for their grade on a number of books to read. If the goal was met, the principal would kiss a pig. Author Kalli Dakos inspired me to try this idea. I met Kalli at the International Reading Convention in San Antonio, TX, when I bought her book, Our Principal Promised to Kiss a Pig (Albert Whitman & Co., 2004, ISBN: 0-807-56629-2). My wonderful principal, Mr. Tallo, said, "Sure, let's give it a try." Of course, since we live in an area with a wonderful 4-H program, we'll just have to see what kind of pig he'll have to kiss!
Developing characters
An exceptional book to use with the middle school age group is What a Character! by Nancy Roser and Miriam Martinez (International Reading Association, 2005, ISBN: 0-872-07563-X).
Kate DiCamillo's books are favorites of this age group. She authored a chapter entitled, "Character is the Engine" and it's just perfect to help students figure out, develop and understand characters. Using examples from when she was nine years old, Kate discusses what characters are and how they are developed. She also includes ways that she has students develop characters in their writing when she visits schools. She gives the kids some character names, tells them three things about the characters, gives a physical detail, an emotional detail and finally gives each character a prop. What a great model this is for developing characters in a story! Certainly Kate's newest book, Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Candlewick Press, 2005, ISBN: 0-763-62270-2), will help to introduce great characters.
Since we all want to develop good writers, try using 111 One-Minute Monologues, vol. 3 by L.E. McCullough (Smith & Kraus Inc., 2005, ISBN: 1-575-25419-0). Ask your students to act out a one-minute monologue and then develop the character presented. Students who like to be dramatic or "ham it up" will love this, and it will inspire others to try. I've seen some interesting stories and characters come from this exercise.
Make 'em laugh
Humorous characters always appeal to middle graders, mainly because the students are really humorous themselves. Joey Pigza in Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos (HarperTrophy, 2000, ISBN: 0-064-40833-7) is a good character to explore. Not only does Joey have Attention Deficit Disorder, he also loves to make people laugh. Excellent discussion of attributes of characters and of classmates will come from the reading of this book.
A good professional resource that helps with comprehension questions, dealing with fact and opinion, inference and details is Stretchy Library Lessons, Reading Activities by Pat Miller (Highsmith, Inc., 2003, ISBN: 1-579-50082-X).
Another page turner
When your class is ready for more difficult reading levels and discussions, The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London by Elvira Woodruff (Scholastic Paperbacks, 2005, ISBN: 0-439-28134-2) is set in 1753 and features Forrest Harper, who tends to the ravens at the Tower of London. When Scottish rebels are captured and one turns out to be a girl, this book becomes a real page turner. I found it also to be a great read-aloud and teaching tool. For further information go to www.castles.org
Time for National Book Week!
We can't forget that November includes National Book Week – check out www.cbcbooks.org/cbw This year, National Book Week is November 14-20. Our art teacher, Mr. Burcher, always comes up with some creative ideas. One idea that worked well was to design a bookmark about a book with a strong character. The library put them on display and students voted on their favorite. We copied the winners and passed them out all year. Enjoy!
Check out Sandy's "Getting Parents Involved" section.
Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.
November/December, 2005, Vol.36, No.3
