Summer Reading 2008

[Mary Schwander]

I'm putting together a list of books for our 9-12 graders to select from for their required summer reading. Our English teachers asked for mainly high interest contemporary lit, with a "few classics thrown in". They also requested some non-fiction and varied reading levels. I would love some feedback or suggestions!
You can view the list in progress on Shelfari. The ultimate plan is to include summaries/reviews of each book so students can browse the books on Shelfari, and add any comments if they wish.
Thanks!

[Heather]

The following are receiving much attention at our high school in Toronto, Ontario:
Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan
Hey Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland
Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
How to Be Good by Nick Hornby
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (as well as her other titles)
Atonement by Ian Mcewan
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

[Heather]

I was very intrigued by Selfari, after veiwing your 'list in progress'. I had never heard of it before. I am now interested in using Shelfari to post all my selections for our high school library's 'Foundations Reading' list, which I have compiled to prepare our students for post-secondary expectations. I think that if the students can go and view the covers sitting on the 'shelves', and then read the description of the book in a social networking format, then they will really enjoy it! Do you have your students view your 'shelves'? How is it working for you? Thanks, Heather

[LegacyKim]

Hi Mary & Heather,
I've created my own Shelfari & posted it for staff & students to see on a blog, and it's eye-catching and fun! I used to use LibraryThing but have switched. You gave me the idea! I usually put a summer reading list on our library webpage for the summer months when I'm gone. This year I'll make it a Shelfari list so students can see the covers. I'm going to have a student aide put the books in Shelfari - it will be a new experience for them! You also made me realize that our teachers of Reading classes could have their students create their own Shelfari - maybe they will be proud to finish a book & add it to their shelf. Thanks for the inspiration! Kim

[Mary Schwander]

Hi, Heather & Kim!
Thanks for the book suggestions, Heather. Many great titles that I didn't think about! In fact - I do believe I may have to change up my list! You mention too many good ones for me to pass-up.
Kim - I feel the same way about LibraryThing. In fact, I set it up at the beginning of the year for students to post to, but it just never took off. Perhaps, as you said, they will be more apt to use Shelfari because of the neat book shelf. :-) Mary