Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program

My eleven year old son, Logan, is participating in the Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program.  The goal of this program, founded in 1975, and sponsored by Salem State University, is to encourage children to read.  The students were given a list of 25 books.  If they read at least five of the books on the list, they can vote for their favorite one in March.  They can read the book themselves, have someone read it to them, or listen to the audio book.  They do not have to do anything else, but are encouraged to share book reviews with one another.

My son's school kicked off this project with a "Book Tasting".  They purchased several new copies of each title on the list and laid them out on the cafeteria tables, which were covered with red and white checkered tablecloths- just like a picnic.  The students were supposed to read the book description on the back cover and look at the front cover, and then decide if it was something they might like to read.  What a great activity, right?  Not to my son who HATES anything to do with reading.  It was the most miserable day ever for him!

I looked at his list and my fifth grader had one book, just one, marked that he might like to read.  He LOVES to run, and the book, Ghost by Jason Reynolds,  had a picture of a boy running on the front cover.  The description on the back starts out with one word- Running.  I could see why this appealed to him.  He probably didn't read any further.  Logan struggles with reading and has just reached a fifth grade reading level (an R in Fountas and Pinnell).  Ghost is a Level Z.  I got the audio book at the library to try.  I was told by Logan's teachers that his comprehension level is way above his reading level and he likes being read to, just not reading books himself.

We decided we would start to listen to it in the car, and if he didn't like it, we'd try a different one.  Well, he loved it!  So did I!  AND my husband and 16 year old son listened to some of it and they were laughing and enjoying it too.  I have to say it is one of the BEST books I've ever read.  And the narrator- maybe THE best I've ever heard.  It is a great story with wonderful characters.  It has meaningful underlying themes with life lessons that are pertinent to older kids.  It is about serious stuff, but it's told in a light, humorous way.  Logan did not like the ending, and I can't say why because it would spoil the whole book for those who have not read it, but I thought it was perfect.  Logan understood the story, but not all the underlying themes, and I know that's why he didn't like the ending.  We talked about them, but he still wanted more information at the end.  Since Logan's reading level is not exactly where it is supposed to be, I think most fifth grade students and up would grasp more.  I didn't tell Logan yet, but Ghost is the first book in a "Track" series.  There are three more books, each about a different character from Ghost.  I want him to finish his five from the list before we go astray, but I am hoping he'll find out what he wanted to know from reading the other books in the series.

                                                               

The next book on the list that Logan picked to read was The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey.  He read this one on his own.  It had lots of pictures and not a lot of writing.  It was a Level P, so below his reading level.  He read it in two sittings, which is amazing for Logan!  He said it was 
"okay".  After seeing him read it so quickly, I, of course, had to read it too.  I could see it being entertaining and funny to 4th graders and up (especially boys), and great for kids like Logan who get overwhelmed by a page full of words.  This is also a series.



                                                              

We are now listening to All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor, another advanced book, which we are both really enjoying.  I'll do a review on this when we've finished it.  If you have a child in grades 4 to 6, I would definitely check out this reading list, no matter where you live.  These are some really good books and I believe this program is accomplishing its mission.