I pick up a book and take a look.
For me that’s the first step in choosing a novel. I look at the front cover, read the title, consider the author. Do I know him or her? I read the back cover blurb. Does it grab my attention and make me think? I look for awards or recognitions on the front cover such as the Newbery Medal or the Canadian Library Association Award. If there are reviews on the back cover or inside, I consider them too. I begin to anticipate, predict, infer…
And then I start to read.
We are going to be taking part in a world-wide event called the Global Read Aloud. That means I will read a book to you, just as thousands of other teachers will do around the world. Through various digital tools we will connect with other classes to share our observations.
Here is our book. Take a look:
(Click images to enlarge)
In your comment below:
- Describe what you see on the cover–what details (evidence) do you notice and what do you infer?
- When you read the blurb on the back cover, what do you predict and why (what evidence do you use)?
- What kinds of feelings does this book stir up?
I look forward to reading your thoughts.