What was the book that changed everything for you? For me, it was The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. After reading Sometimes Reading is Hard by Robin Bright, I gained a deeper understanding of how important our role as educators is in helping children fall in love with literature. My Grade 4 teacher introduced me to The Red Pyramid through the process of book tasting. I chose the book because, at the time, I had a deep interest in Egyptian culture, which was a significant subplot in the story. She had several novels picked out, and we went around the classroom reading snippets from each one before selecting the book that resonated with us to read during silent reading time.
Photo from: https://bookennials.com/tienda/genero/ficcion-juvenil/the-red-pyramid/
One thing I really appreciated was that she had audiobooks available for each of the novels. We were welcome to listen to them while reading, or just on our own. Looking back, it’s clear that her #1 goal was to help us fall in love with literature.
In Sometimes Reading is Hard (page 155), there is a reading survey for students to fill out, designed to help teachers learn about their students’ interests regarding reading. This survey is a great tool because it is easily adaptable for both older and younger students, making it versatile for a wide range of grade levels.
Here are the prompts:
- Describe your ‘one book’ that changed everything for you as a reader.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan is a fantasy adventure novel based on Egyptian mythology. The novel was first published in the United States in May 2010. The book follows the Kane siblings, Carter and Sadie, as they discover they are descended from both the pharaohs and magicians of ancient Egypt. As a result, they are able to both host gods and wield magic. The duo unknowingly hosts the Egyptian gods Horus and Isis, while their father is taken as a host by Osiris who is captured by Set. They are thrown into an adventure to rescue their father, while simultaneously trying to save the world from destruction (Wikipedia).
2. How do you feel about reading? Tell me about it.
I love reading as an adult—there’s nothing I enjoy more than snuggling up with a good book and a cup of tea. However, I wasn’t always this way. As a kid, I really struggled to find literature that I truly enjoyed. Luckily, my dad was very passionate about reading and always went above and beyond to find books I would enjoy. For a while, I was behind other students in my reading abilities, and during silent reading, I often felt embarrassed. Looking back, I’m extremely grateful for my dad’s efforts and realize that this isn’t the story for most children.
3. What types of books do you like to read?
My favourite genres to read are thrillers, romance, fantasy, adventure, and nonfiction.
4. List some hobbies and things you like to do outside of school.
Hobbies I enjoy outside of school include anything music or art-related, taking walks in nature, and reading.
5. Who are your favourite authors?
Rick Riordan, J.K Rowling, Emily Henry, Stephen King.
6. Tell me a bit about the last book you read that you really enjoyed.
The last book I read and truly enjoyed was Kids These Days by Jody Carrington. Jody writes the book from her perspective and experiences as a child psychologist, having worked with children in both Canada and the U.S. The book is beautifully written and offers valuable insights into connecting with children.
7. Tell me a bit about what you have been doing since last semester during your winter break. How have you been spending your time?
During my winter break, I spent most of my time resting, working, and wedding planning, as I am getting married in June! I’m very excited! However, planning a wedding is not for the faint of heart, and I give credit to anyone who has ever planned a wedding before because it is a lot of work.
8. What subjects or topics do you like learning about?
I love learning about history and science the most because I find them fascinating. There is so much variation and so much to learn about the world around me! I especially enjoy learning about different cultures, as I have a passion for traveling.
9. If you could read a book about one thing, what would that be?
It depends on the mood I’m in, as I love reading about all sorts of things. However, the safe bet for me would probably be some sort of young adult fantasy book!
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Pyramid
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43816659-kids-these-days
Bright, Robin. Sometimes Reading Is Hard. Pembroke Publishers, 2021.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.