[LIT] Buying Books

[ReadersnRacers at aol.com]

Kim writes:   What other ones about middle school readers are there?

Pam writes:   Obviously there is this listserve (which is awesome for 
reading/writing workshop), but there are tons of middle level listserves.   One of my 
favorites for middle school in general is Middle Talk (the old MiddleWeb that 
I think sponsored this listserve originally) and is sponsored through NMSA - 
you can participate for free if you are a member.   There is also middle-lit 
(through inversity.org) and middle_school_lit at yahoogroups.com (this is 
specifically about middle school literature - not just for teachers, but also authers, 
publishers, fans, etc.), and for writing at the middle level (and upper 
elementary) realwritingteachers at yahoogroups.com.   I know there are more, that 
about all I can barely keep up with though.   They provide tons of food for 
thought & more excellent ideas than I can possibly ever use (although I try).

I did go double check (as my meds started to wear off & I started to stuffily 
function more like a person rather than a zombie) - the other online book 
seller that I've used with good sucess (reliable, cheap, and books are in 
condition they say they are) is the Biblio site that I previously mentioned (although 
Amazon is my favorite).   Although a great way to generate books in the 
classroom is to hold a book drive with your students (I am planning one for the 
last month of school where I will give students a "cougar paw" - our school's 
version of incentive $$ that can be used to purchase a wide variety of things 
around campus - for each good condition used novel/book donated.   I will give 
them 5 paws for a new novel (I'm hoping that I get some stuff from our end of 
the year scholastic book fair that I can pack away to put out first thing next 
year).   This also keeps me relaxed about having a relaxed book borrowing 
policy (I know that I will be able to replace any title that walks with another 
title, if not the same title).   Oh yeah, I also have a "book amnesty week" once 
a semester.  I pay the kids (with our school incentive $$ again - although 
I've used extra credit and candy in previous years) for kids to locate and return 
books from my classroom library (all very clearly marked with my name on the 
covers and edge of novels) without any penalties/lectures from me.   This is 
where I tend to get books returned from older siblings.

Okay - I'm rambling again, I can breathe too - I should probably go back to 
bed or veg out in front of the boob tube as my cold medicine takes control 
again.

;o)   Pam Tempest
Team Neon - Language Arts
Hudson Middle School, Pasco County


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