[LIT] Update favorite "read-aloud"

[Beverly Maddox]

Some terrific readalouds have been mentioned--I've used quite a few of
them.  Harris and Me was my favorite this year--I read the first
chapter "live" without the kids following along, then recorded the
other chapters the night before.  I played the tapes in class while i
moved around the room, sitting with various kids and reading along,
too. On the second day of listening to the tapes, one kid raised his
hand, waving it exitedly.  My rule about reading along with me or
recorded readings is that one does not interrupt the reading--but he
was so agitated, I walked toward the recorder, planning to stop the
tape.  He couldn't wait.  

"That's you, Ms. Maddox, that's you on that tape, idn't it?"  He
turned to the kid next to him and punched the kid on the shoulder.
"That's her--that's Ms. Maddox readin on that tape!"  

The other kid looked up, said, "Yeah--it is--hey, that's Ms. Maddox on
that tape!"  Almost all the kids put their books down, turned and
looked at me wonderingly.

What fun--I felt like a celebrity.  

That book is tremendously fun to read--I did the best reading of my
career, I think.  I still occasionally pitch my voice to the timbre I
use for Harris and say, "All right, you gooners! Back to work!"
Always gets a laugh.

Previous all time favorite read alouds:
__The Mock Revolt_ by Vera and Bill Cleaver
__Toby, Granny, and George_ by Robby Branscum
Several things by Richard Peck

Bev Maddox
"Read like a wolf eats." --Gary Paulsen