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By: Andye ReadingTeen,
on 6/2/2015
With BEA and everything going on right now, I haven't had a chance to do a review of this book, but I just wanted to put it out there and get it on your radar. This was such a great book, and the audiobook is awesome too. It's emotional, moving, mysterious, romantic and gripping. If you haven't heard of it, check it out. And if you've been wondering if you should pick it up, I'd definitely
By: Betsy Bird,
on 3/22/2015
Morning, folks. We’re beginning this Sunday morn with stuff that’s good for the soul. How often have you said to yourself, “I’d love to own some original art from illustrator Matthew Cordell but I’m too busy spending all my cash on children’s literacy foundations”? Well, fear not! Now you can do both. In celebration of their book Special Delivery, Messrs. Cordell and Philip Stead are going to hold a raffle for five pieces of awesome art. You win by donating money to good causes. The details are here and the video here:
Next up, the American Hogwarts. I mean, it is if by “Hogwarts” you’re referring to a well-established university setting with a clear cut amazing children’s collection, staff, program schedule, and more. Princeton finally decided to create a little trailer for the Cotsen Children’s Library, and I have to say I’m stunned. First off, there’s my girl Dana Sheridan killing it with the storytimes. Then there’s the just wide range of services they provide. And the furniture, dear GOD the furniture!! I’m fascinated by the Cotsen Critix program too since bookclubs for 9-12 year-olds are my weakness. Wish I lived closer to it! Here’s more background information and here’s the trailer:
Someday I shall teach a course on the art of the book trailer. In it I will show all the different myriad styles and techniques one can utilize when coming up with your very own. And always assuming that I remember, I shall include this simple, lovely trailer for The Mystery Hat by Rune Brandt Bennicke and Jakob Hjort Jensen . Sometimes it’s all in the soundtrack, folks.
There go Scieszka and Biggs. I’ve suspected for years that they were in the pocket of Big Audiobook but never had the proof . . . until now!!
Seriously, though, I’m-a wanting that crazy white wig.
So this year we are seeing not one but TWO different early chapter book series about Latino girls. This is a good thing since the running tally before 2015 was . . . um . . . yeah, it was zero. Zero series in total. The first is the Emma Is On the Air series by Ida Siegal and illustrated by Karla Pena. The second is the Sofia Martinez series by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Kim Smith. But only one of these (as of this post) has a book trailer:
It’s not a children’s book. It’s not even a YA novel. It’s (*gasp* *shudder*) an adult book . . . but its book trailer is adorable. I can resist it, not at all.
Thanks to Alison Morris for the link.
I had not yet taken the time to see the trailer for the Lena Dunham/Hilary Knight documentary. Nothing too surprising to see here, but it’s certainly a very clear cut case of a famous person attempting to shine their light on someone they admire who might not be a household name (though Eloise certainly is).
Thanks to educating alice for the link.
And I’m not feeling too creative on the off-topic video of the day. And when the going gets tough, the tough links to cat/dog videos. So goes the world. So goes the world.
By: Maryann Yin,
on 2/26/2015
Elizabeth Gilbert will serve as the narrator for the audiobook edition of Big Magic.
Gilbert shared the news by uploading an audio clip onto her Facebook page. Throughout the past few months, Gilbert has been posting quotes from the book on her social media accounts.
As we previously reported, Gilbert’s internet conversations with her fans inspired her to write about creativity. Riverhead Books will publish this nonfiction title on September 22nd.
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By: Dianna Dilworth,
on 2/13/2015
LibriVox is looking for volunteers to read and record public domain books for their audiobook library.
The non-profit site selects chapters of books that are in the public domain to read, then releases the audio files for free online. Check it out:
Volunteering for LibriVox is easy and does not require any experience with recording or audio engineering or acting or public speaking. All you need is a computer, a microphone, some free recording software, and your own voice. We accept all volunteers in all languages, with all kinds of accents. You’re welcome to volunteer to read any language you speak, as long as you can make yourself understood in it.
If you think you’d make a good audiobook reader, take LibriVox’s 1-Minute Test to see how you sound.
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By: Andye ReadingTeen,
on 1/11/2015
by Andye The Walled City UNABRIDGED By Ryan Graudin Narrated By Eugene Kim, Kim Mai Guest, Janet Song Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins Release Date: 11-04-14 Publisher: Hachette Audio Goodreads | Audible | Amazon 730. That's how many days I've been trapped.18. That's how many days I have left to find a way out. DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin
By: Dianna Dilworth,
on 12/19/2014
Looking for recommendations for some good audiobooks to listen to during your holiday travels?
Audible.com has had some bestselling authors pick out their favorite audiobooks of the year, which is probably a good place to start.
Author Anthony Doerr recommends Karen Joy Fowler’s audiobook We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves; Lisa Genova recommends You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero; and Lev Grossman recommends Ian Fleming’s Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Check it out:
The best audiobook I listened to this year was On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming. It’s not new — in fact its 50 years old — but you might be surprised at how fresh the original Bond novels still feel….Simon Vance does a consistently nuanced, world-weary take on Bond-James-Bond and is absurdly comfortable with just about every possible European accent. Plus he does Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series too, and the occasional similarities in the voices suggests the tantalizing possibility of a trans-historical Bond-Maturin team-up.” –Lev Grossman
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 12/19/2014
Author Philip Pullman has written a new His Dark Materials short story. “The Collectors” explores the past of the antagonist, Mrs. Coulter.
Pullman’s piece was created exclusively for Audible as a ‘thank you’ gift to the company’s members; English actor Bill Nighy served as the narrator for this audiobook. The video embedded above features an excerpt.
The Guardian reports that this project marks “Pullman’s first return to the universe of Lyra Belacqua, the heroine of his acclaimed trilogy, since he published the prequel novella Once Upon a Time in the North six years ago.” Fans of this children’s book series are waiting with bated breath for the His Dark Materials sequel novel, The Book of Dust.
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 12/11/2014
Writer Cory Doctorow has taken it upon himself to produce the audiobook edition of his book, Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age.
According to Doctorow’s blog post, actor Wil Wheaton served as the narrator for this project. It also features “a mixdown by the wonderful John Taylor Williams, and bed-music from Amanda Palmer and Dresden Dolls.”
McSweeney’s released the hardcover version back in November 2014. Both Palmer and her husband Neil Gaiman wrote forewords for this project. (via Neil Gaiman’s Tumblr page)
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/25/2014
GraphicAudio has adapted Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot – Steal The Galaxy! We’ve embedded a SoundCloud trailer above—what do you think?
This project is based on a Marvel Entertainment prose novel written by Dan Abnett. It features a cast of more than 40 voice actors, original music, and sound effects. Follow this link to listen to a sample snippet.
Here’s more from the press release: “They are not Captain America, Iron Man or Spider-Man, however Rocket Raccoon and the faithful Groot are the baddest heroes in the cosmos, and they’re on the run across the Marvel Universe! During a spaceport brawl, the pair rescues an android Recorder from a pack of alien lizard men. Everyone in the galaxy including the ruthless Kree Empire and the stalwart Nova Corps, seems to want that Recorder for their own power.”
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/14/2014
The Penguin Random House Audio team has developed a new discovery app called “Volumes.”
With this free app, readers can listen to clips from works by Jodi Picoult, Sophie Kinsella, and Jim Gaffigan. Sometimes, full-length audiobooks will be made available at no charge. At the moment, users can download a free digital copy of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland which features the voice acting talents of Jim Dale.
Her’s more from the press release: “As part of the app’s launch, and to encourage users to give listening a try, Penguin Random House Audio is working with Literacy Partners to donate one audiobook (up to 25,000 audiobooks) for every person that downloads the app and pledges to listen. Listeners can take the pledge on Random House Audio’s Facebook page.” What are your favorite audiobooks?
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/14/2014
English comedian Stephen Fry served as the narrator for the United Kingdom edition of the You Have to F***ing Eat audiobook. The animated video embedded above features Fry’s recitation.
Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston read the story for the American edition of this audiobook. According to an announcement on Canongate TV website, “Fyy and Cranston follow in the footsteps of celebrities including Samuel L. Jackson, Noel Fielding, Thandie Newton, and Werner Herzog, all of whom saw their recordings of Mansbach’s earlier bestseller, Go the F*ck to Sleep, rack up millions of hits.”
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/13/2014
Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston recorded a four-minute audiobook of Adam Mansbach‘s new children’s book for adults, You Have to F***ing Eat. In an interview with The New York Times, Mansbach commented that Cranston “reads with such nuance.”
Audible has made the digital audiobook available for free until December 12th. Follow this link to download it.
Pulp Fiction actor Samuel L. Jackson served as the narrator for the audiobook edition of Mansbach’s previous title, Go the F*** to Sleep. Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton read the story out loud during an appearance on the Rooster Teeth podcast; click here to watch a video that captured Burton’s recitation.
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By: Andye ReadingTeen,
on 11/6/2014
Review by Andye THE BOOK OF IVYThe Book of Ivy #1by Amy EngelAge Range: 12 - 18 yearsGrade Level: 7 - 12 Audiobook Publisher: Random House AudioPublisher: Entangled: Teen (November 11, 2014) Goodreads | Amazon | Audiobook What would you kill for? After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more
By: Beth,
on 11/4/2014
Happy Fall!
I just wanted to thank our members for the 537 volunteer committee applications that were submitted and to give everyone an update on the award and selection committee appointments process!
The appointments task force was finalized in October and award and selection committee chairs were selected. The appointments task force and I are still working on filling all of the award and selection committee member vacancies, but rosters should be finalized soon.
Appointing the local arrangements committee for Midwinter 2015 is the next priority.
ALA Appointments: There has been one ALA Appointment call to review the general ALA appointment process. The slate for the nominating committee has not been officially presented, but does include one YALSA member.
ALA President Elect Sari Feldman has put out a call for volunteers for the ALA committees listed below. Please let me know if you are interested in being recommended for any of them. The ALA application form closes this Friday, November 7, 2014.
It’s been a pleasure and privilege to go through all of the your applications. Thank you so much for your dedication to YALSA and to teen library services!
By: Maryann Yin,
on 10/29/2014
Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler has enlisted several celebrity friends to serve as narrators for the audiobook edition of her memoir, Yes Please.
The participating readers include Sir Patrick Stewart, Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Kathleen Turner, and Poehler’s parents. It also includes a recording of Poehler’s one night only live performance at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
The Wall Street Journal has posted a SoundCloud clip with Stewart reading Poehler’s haiku about plastic surgery. Dey Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, released the audiobook, the eBook, and the hardcover book yesterday.
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By: Beth,
on 10/27/2014
A brief look at ‘grams of interest to engage teens and librarians navigating this social media platform. This week we’re looking at ways libraries can use Instagram to market services. As librarians, we know that we provide our communities with so more than books, but how can we show patrons everything we have to offer? From audio books to online materials and wireless printing to smiling faces at the Information Desk, here’s a few ways to get that information out there. The key to this week’s installment is reading the captions — there are many different approaches libraries can take.
Have you come across a related Instagram post this week, or has your library posted something similar? Have a topic you’d like to see in the next installment of Instagram of the Week? Share it in the comments section of this post.
By: Roger Sutton,
on 10/6/2014
These audiobooks offer intrepid listeners stories of supernatural and psychological suspense, all with vividly evoked settings.
In the world of Jonathan Stroud’s The Screaming Staircase (first book in the Lockwood & Co. series), ghost-busting firms employ psychically sensitive children to neutralize supernatural pests infesting London. Lucy Carlyle joins an indie agency — consisting of Lucy, amiable teenage owner Anthony Lockwood, and sardonic George — just before Lockwood accepts a client with a very haunted property. Miranda Raison’s narration imbues Lucy with the right balance of droll humor and compassion for uneasy spirits. Her pacing ratchets up the tension while allowing the teens’ snarky banter room to breathe in this thrilling and funny story. (Listening Library, 10–14 years)
Marcus Sedgwick’s Midwinterblood chronicles life on a remote Scandinavian island—going backwards from the future to the distant past — through seven related stories. The tales gradually reveal Blessed Island’s dependence on a strange drug and disturbing history of human sacrifice. Each tale centers on two bonded souls, reincarnated variously as family members, lovers, and intergenerational friends, who reunite only to be wrenched apart again. Narrator Julian Rhind-Tutt ably captures the emotional extremes of this unsettling novel: the uncanny recognition and tender reunion of the protagonists; the desperate fear and violence of their community; and the dark machinations of the island itself. (Listening Library, 12–16 years)
New girl Rose’s sharp edges gradually soften through relationships with classmate Pearl and eccentric dressmaker Edie in Karen Foxlee’s The Midnight Dress. Edie teases out Rose’s past and shares her own as they sew Rose’s (possibly magical) gown for the upcoming harvest festival. Reader Olivia Mackenzie-Smith transports her listener to a specific era and place (1980s coastal Australia) while also imparting the lyrical prose’s dreamy sense of once-upon-a-time. But there’s no happily ever after here: interspersed interludes reveal that one of the girls has disappeared; Mackenzie-Smith gives these interludes an ominous tone as they progress inexorably towards betrayal and tragedy. (Listening Library, 14 years and up)
After a two-year absence due to an accident she can’t remember, Cady returns to the private island where her beautiful, privileged family spends its summers. Relationships (particularly among Cady, her same-age cousins Johnny and Mirren, and family friend Gat) feel oddly strained, and no one will tell Cady what happened the summer of the accident. The pieces of her fragmented memory slowly come together to reveal a truth more devastating than Cady (or the listener) could have imagined. The shocking denouement of E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars hits hard — and even more so with narrator Ariadne Meyers’s disbelieving, heartbroken delivery. (Listening Library, 14 years and up)
For more on recommended audiobooks from The Horn Book, click on the tag audiobooks. From the October 2014 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.
The post Atmospheric audiobooks appeared first on The Horn Book.
By: Claire Daniel,
on 9/19/2014
Need a boyfriend this fall? You can forget Cragislist. If you can’t find the man of your dreams, he might just be out there somewhere—in the pages of a book. Or in this case, between your ear buds. Courtesy of Audible.com, we bring you five bachelors to choose from:
1. Will Blakelee in The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks
Will’s loyalty to Ronnie Miller remains strong in the end of this novel from classic chick lit author Nicholas Sparks. Connecting over family tragedy, Will is there for Ronnie in the end when she most needs him to be by sacrificing his own opportunities. (more…)
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By: Darcy Pattison,
on 9/1/2014
Available at these eBook stores
Mims House eBookStore
Nook
Kindle
Kobo
iBookstore
iTunes Store
Amazon
Audible
According to the Wall Street Journal, audio books have “ballooned into a $1.2 billion industry, up from $480 million in retail sales in 1997. Unit sales of downloaded audio books grew by nearly 30% in 2011 compared with 2010, according to the Audio Publishers Association.” Some reasons include the ease of listening on smart phones, lower prices, and a growing audience of people who prefer audio books.
I’ve always loved audio books, and in fact, I almost always have one going in my car. That’s why I’m thrilled with my news today that three of my titles are now audio books, with three more coming this fall. If you have audio rights to your books, you can also do this through ACX. They provide a platform for you to audition narrators, who will then produce the book. They are all for sale on iTunes, Audible and Amazon. At the time of this writing, Kell, the Alien is on sale at Audible for only $1.99.
Paula Bodin, actress and narrator of THE GIRL, THE GYPSY AND THE GARGOYLE.
Paula Bodin is an actress and producer in LA who adores the SciFi/Fantasy genre. She’s voiced multiple characters in shows like Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse, Monster High and Ever After High, brought Lady Door to life in the West Coast Premiere of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and is in numerous film/tv/web productions, including playing Wendy in The New Adventures of Peter & Wendy.
Paula says, “I hope you enjoy listening to this book as much as I enjoyed reading it!”
Buy the AudioBook
Audio Book Narrator, Monica Clark-Robinson
Buy the Audio Book
Josiah Bildner, audio narrator of the ALIENS, INC. series.
Buy the AudioBook (Unabridged)
By: Beth,
on 8/21/2014
Previously, you learned about what it takes to serve on the Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults committee. Here, some of the current Amazing Audiobooks committee members explain why they love to listen.
Sarah Hashimoto is serving on her first year as a committee member:
I remember listening to The Hunger Games when it first came out on audio in 2008. I was new to audios at the time and was unprepared for how much of an impact they can make. I was listening and gardening when I came to the scene just after Rue has died, when Katniss receives the bread from Rue’s people. It’s such a poignant scene, but the audio version really brought it to life for me. I ended up weeping into my garden gloves, creating a scene of my own!
My favorite audiobook narrators (in no particular order) are:
Cindy Vanderbrink is also serving one her first year as part of the committee:
I clearly remember listening to audiobooks (on cassette!) soon after I became a children’s librarian in the mid 1990’s. I’ve always loved books but audios changed my reading habits forever. The first audiobook I listened to was Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples and narrated by Christina Moore. After tearing through the audio, I was devastated to find that my library’s copy of the sequel, Haveli, was damaged and I had to request an interlibrary loan copy. The wait was excruciating. Once Haveli arrived, I sped through only to be devastated by it ending too quickly. I was so impressed with Christina Moore’s narration, that I listened to several other titles she performed. One of those was Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park. I clearly remember listening to this title in the car. I would be laughing one minute and crying the next. Other drivers must have thought I was certifiable!
Colleen Seisser is the current chair of the Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults, and this is her second year serving as a voting member:
I love audios books because I struggle with being a slow reader. I love to read, but am so frustrated when I love a book but it takes me so long to finish. I discovered audiobooks about 8 years ago, when I was working at a middle school library with a librarian who served on the Amazing Audiobooks committee. She was telling me about the audiobook called Twilight, that she just listened to, and that I might also like it. I was hesitant, but it made my summer road trip to South Carolina more enjoyable, so I asked her for more audiobook recommendations. At that time she suggested Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan and Cupid by Julius Lester. Both of these audios are truly amazing productions! And that was the start of my love for audios. I realized that I could listen not only while driving, but I could also listen at home while walking my dog and cleaning. \Listening allowed me to finish books in a more timely manner, and when I listen to audiobooks my attention is always captured and held throughout the book.
When it comes to some of my favorite narrators, I always say that I love a narrator that makes me feel like I am listening to a friend tell me a story. It’s that quality that allows you to be completely engrossed in the story. Recently, I have really enjoyed audios narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Julia Whelan. I have also found it fascinating when I find an author that can really read their work well. A couple example of my favorites are Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens and D.C. Pierson’s Crap Kingdom.
Sylvia Vardell is serving on her second year as an Amazing Audiobooks committee member and has put together this amusing list as to what she likes most about audiobooks:
The Twelve Don’ts of Audiobooks: A Tongue in Cheek List
1. Don’t double your exposure to good books by listening to AND reading books.
2. Don’t let someone else read to you when you can read yourself.
3. Don’t polish your understanding of language by listening to an audiobook.
4. Don’t get exposed to stories from other cultures by listening to them first.
5. Don’t pass the time on long road trips or during difficult hospital stays by listening to a good audiobook.
6. Don’t build your listening vocabulary with audiobooks. You can figure out how words are pronounced just by seeing them.
7. Don’t let reluctant or striving readers get exposed to a whole book by listening to it.
8. Don’t let good or fluent readers get lazy by listening to a good audiobook.
9. Don’t listen to a book that you probably wouldn’t choose to read in the printed version.
10. Don’t let a whole class listen to a good audiobook at the same time.
11. Don’t pay attention to winners and selections of the Odyssey Award, Audie Awards, Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults, or Notable Children’s Recordings. What do they know?
12. Don’t expect to lose yourself in a good story. Just avoid movies and music too while you’re at it.
[With a nod to Dean Schneider and Robin Smith for “Unlucky Arithmetic: Thirteen Ways to Raise a Nonreader” which appeared in Horn Book March/April 2001. (Found at http://archive.hbook.com/pdf/articles/13ways.pdf)]
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By: Mary Ann Scheuer,
on 8/7/2014
Like many of my students, I love getting lost in a story--so absorbed that I am transported to that time and place, that I live with the characters in my mind. I just finished reading to a new biography of the Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family, the last of the mighty Romanov monarchy, and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend the audiobook and think many teens and their families will find it fascinating.
Candace Fleming pulls the reader into the story of the fall of Imperial Russia by providing both an intimate look at the royal family and a careful understanding of the political and social context of their time. It's interesting to read a story when you know the ending, but I found myself on the edge of my seat at several points, wondering just how it would turn out.The Family Romanov:
Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia
by Candace Fleming
narrated by Kimberly Farr, et al.
Penguin Random House, 2014
Listening Library, 2014
Preview on Google Books
Your local library
Amazon / Audible
ages 12 and up
* best new book *
By: Dianna Dilworth,
on 7/18/2014
Outspoken Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly will be the voice for his upcoming audiobook edition of Killing Patton, the fourth book in his bestselling history series which he wrote in collaboration with Martin Dugard.
Macmillan Audio, the audiobook publisher revealed that O’Reilly was in the studio to record his book this week. The audiobook and print edition of the title comes out on September 23, 2014. O’Reilly’s other audiobooks in the series have done well in the past. Killing Lincoln, was the top selling audiobook in the world in 2011; Killing Kennedy was the top selling audiobook in the world in 2012 and Killing Jesus was the top selling audiobook in the world in 2013.
“We are thrilled to have Bill O’Reilly back in the studio recording Killing Patton,” stated Mary Beth Roche, President and Publisher of Macmillan Audio. ”His powerful narration and this fascinating topic are sure to be another bestselling combination.”
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By: Andye ReadingTeen,
on 7/10/2014
Audiobook review by Elisa DREAMS OF GODS & MONSTERSWritten by: Laini Taylor Narrated by: Khristine Hvam Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 3 Format: Unabridged Release Date:04-08-14 Publisher: Hachette Audio Program Type: Audiobook Audible In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva
By: Andye ReadingTeen,
on 6/28/2014
This week I've done a lot of reading (for me), but with exception of ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER, they've all been books that either (1) I didn't finish, (2) ended a series, or (3) weren't Young Adult. So I thought I'd catch you up on some things I liked, and one that I didn't. * * * IN THE END is the second book in the IN THE AFTER duology. I really, really liked IN THE AFTER, so I
By: Roger Sutton,
on 6/18/2014
I teach ESL to adults and have often used children’s books as educational tools with these students who are trying to master English. I’ve read picture books to lower level classes, but the year I taught Advanced Conversation, I knew I needed something different.
Having taught lower level classes, I can say that in comparison these students truly did have a good grasp of English but they needed help to get to the next level. While they certainly weren’t shy about talking, I realized that this group still needed listening practice. The books chosen for the class were good — providing conversation prompts and vocabulary exercises — but they were ordered without their audio components.
Despite signing up for the class and despite their very real need to practice listening to English, my students seemed to regard listening practice as a form of torture and would groan whenever that part of class began. I wanted to increase their vocabulary and get them into a focused conversation about a story. I thought Charlotte’s Web would work and borrowed the audiobook from the library.
The characters, the plot, everything is masterfully done. And of course as a child I didn’t realize how many words were being defined within the story, sometimes by a character and sometimes through context.
I introduced the story and we did pre-reading exercises with some of the more challenging vocabulary before listening to each chapter, but the idea was for them to listen to and discuss the story. They were not thrilled.
After one or two audio-only sessions, I won a copy of the 60th anniversary edition of book, so the compromise was that they could pass the book around and they’d spend a little time reading along and some time just listening. They were surprisingly fair about it. The stronger students let the weaker students read along longer. After a few weeks one student had her husband get her a copy at the library so she could read along the entire time.
Once, during a pre-reading exercise, I told the students the chapter they’d hear was called “Explosion” and asked what they thought might explode. One of the younger students, a man in medical school whom I suspect was looking for a more action-packed story replied hopefully, “The pig?”
While there are no exploding pigs, life and death are major themes of the book. This book also depicts a slower, more agrarian lifestyle that fostered discussion because it is a way of life some of my students found familiar.
At the end of the book, the two male students had eyes shining with tears they held back. The women, on the other hand, were quiet and thoughtful but their eyes were dry.
One man affirmed that animals really do communicate with each other, even if we don’t understand them. The student who’d hope for Wilbur to explode said, “At first, I hated it…but it turned out to be a good story.”
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[...] enjoy Betsy Bird’s Video Sunday posts, but I have to confess that I’m mostly linking to this one because I think everyone should watch this week’s off-topic video, Dogs Breaking Up Cat [...]
Betsy, I love EVERYthing you posted here, but I am totally salivating over the Cotsen Library!!!! An author friend of mine (Darlene BeckJacobson) said we should meet in Princeton and go to the children’s library. This must be it! OH, to be able to work there. How cool! Thanks for posting all of this
Fantabulous post, beginning to end. I agree, sometimes it is the music selection. Can’t wait to share the audiobooks video with others…