I love Donalyn Miller's idea of #Bookaday Challenge. Each summer, she puts out a challenge to herself and to others to read an average of a book-a-day over the summer. I know I read a lot, but I also know that many of my teacher friends read far more than I do. And summer is a good time for me to catch up. This summer was a busy one so I knew lots of my books would be short reads. I counted the days of summer and set my goal for 82 books. I met that goal easily once I got started. Last week, I was at 99 books. (For the most recent list, you can check out my goodreads account.) Here is how my numbers ended up last time I checked:
57 Picture Books
2 Wordless Picture Books
1 Poetry Books
16 Middle Grade Novels
2 Young Adult Novels
2 Adult Novels
16 Nonfiction Children's Books
3 Graphic Novels
Since Donalyn started this challenge years ago, I have realized how important summer and vacation reading are to me as a teacher and a reader. That extra time to read is critical and it takes far less time every day than I imagine it will. Setting a goal of a book each day was overwhelming at first but I've discovered that it is very doable. I have used the library lots and I spent many mornings reading a stack of new picture books. It doesn't take long to get through a stack of picture books and discover a few gems. At the end of this summer #bookaday, I am reminded again of how important it is for me to read and keep up with new books, I believe strongly in the power of Teacher as Reader and always have. I need to be a reader myself in order to teach reading, but I also need to read lots of children's books so that I have a menu of books to share with students each year. (Lucky for me, I LOVE reading children's books as I believe they are the best books out there!) As I choose books and share books with students, I know that knowing 99 more books will help me be a better teacher. It is probably the most important work I do each summer.
Even with all of this summer reading, I still have a huge TBR stack. Seems like the more I read, the more I want to read! But I have so many more possibilities when I make choices about books to share with students in read aloud, mini lessons, conferences and small groups. I can't imagine going into the year without all these new titles in my head.
Some highlights from my summer #bookaday that I haven't blogged much about already:
Picture Books
Little Elliot, Big Family (coming October 6!)
Early Chapter Book
Nonfiction
Middle Grade Novels
Graphic Novel
Wordless Picture Book
I'm very intrigued by several of these covers. Especially Crenshaw and Sidewalk Flowers. Thank you for sharing.
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