My classroom library is organized by genre with a few areas that are organized by format or topic. Within each genre, books are alphabetized by author’s last name. This combination of organizational strategies, helps students (and me) find the books they’ll be interested in reading.
The genres that make up my classroom library are: fantasy, science fiction, romance, action & adventure, dystopia, mysteries & thrillers, humor, realistic fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction.
I have a separate section for graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction are mixed together), and bins for short story collections, verse novels, and manga. I also have bins for my fiction books about animals.
Read on for the top book check outs in each genre plus from the graphic novel section of my classroom library.
Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Fantasy
The fantasy section of my classroom library is filled with so many great series. Students’ top fantasy check outs all came from series. Here’s the first book in each:
Science Fiction
The science fiction section of my classroom library is the smallest section on my shelves. That's partly because I don't read a ton of it, partly because there's so much overlap with fantasy and dystopia, and partly because I don't see a ton of new books in this genre being published and promoted. Any books connected to superheroes were popular this year. The top three check outs were:
Romance
I have doubled the size of the romance section of my classroom library in the past two years since this has become such a hot area of my classroom library. Finding romance titles that are appropriate for middle schoolers, specifically sixth graders, is tricky. Some of the titles are definitely more YA than MG, but I have to trust that any students who are taking these home are consuming other similar books, TV shows, movies, etc. with their parents' knowledge and approval. The top three check outs were:
- To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (the whole series)
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (the whole series)
- A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
Action & Adventure
Action and adventure is a section in my classroom library that I have considered doing away with, but haven't yet. Many of the titles also fall into realistic fiction and could be moved to that section of my library, but it is helpful when a student says they are into sports or survival stories to have them all in one place. The top three check outs were:
- Travel Team by Mike Lupica (many of his other titles were popular too)
- Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick
- Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
Dystopia
Like fantasy, the dystopia section of my classroom library has so many great series to which to introduce students. Students’ top dystopia check outs all came from series. Here’s the first book in each:
Mysteries & Thrillers
The mystery & thrillers section of my classroom library has all intensity levels of creepy, spooky, and scary in it. Like romance, this is an area of my classroom library that does have some books that are more YA than MG. The top four check outs this year were:
Humor
Humor may not be my favorite section of my classroom library, but the books aren't for me, they are for my sixth grade students, so I meet them where they are, dumb jokes and all. This section is heavy on series and students’ top humor check outs all came from series. Here’s the first book in each:
Realistic Fiction
The realistic section of my library is where I have the most diverse representation of characters and experiences. I like to think I have a book that all of my students could see themselves represented in as well as many more books where the the characters and experiences are different from themselves and their own experiences. The top four check outs this year were:
- Pax: Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker (this was the sequel to Pax, the whole class novel we read at the start of the year)
- Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (this was the sequel to Freak the Mighty, one of the literature circle novels students could choose from)
- Slacker by Gordon Korman (many of his other titles were popular too)
- TBH, This Is So Awkward by Lisa Greenwald (the whole series)
Historical Fiction
The historical fiction section of my classroom library saw more action this year than in years past with students interested in a range of time periods and topics. The top five check outs this year were:
Nonfiction
The nonfiction section of my classroom library has one I've been working on building up based on common student interests. Record books and "weird" fact books are always popular, but I've been working on adding more high interest books related to sports, video games, animals, food and crime. The top four check outs this year were:
Graphic Novels
The graphic novel section of my classroom library continues to be the most popular and has grown to take over an entire 5 shelf bookshelf. Fiction and nonfiction are mixed here with books from every genre represented. The most popular graphic novel series and stand alone books are below.
Series:
Stand Alone Books:
Let me know in the comments what was popular with your students this year.
0 yorum:
Post a Comment