And for teachers and school librarians, an excellent way to do that is an activity known as "Speed Dating with a Book." When I was an English teacher at a school with one of the best high school libraries I've ever known, I was introduced to the idea from one of our research librarians, and on numerous occasions I began taking my classes, especially freshmen, to the library once or twice a year. By the way, a great day to try this is on Dr. Seuss's birthday, also known as Read Across America Day.
This week I hosted several classes in my beautiful high school library for a few rounds of book speed dating. Basically, students are give three rounds of 10-15 minutes to simply try out a book. I began by setting up six tables with a selection of different genres: sports books, history and historical fiction, YA lit and coming-of-age, great stories, memoir, and action/mystery/thriller. I explained the idea and then "book talked" a couple titles from each table. I also pointed out several displays in the library, including "Great Beach Reads," "Faculty/Staff Recommendations," and "Classic Thrillers."
I would then set a timer and encourage the students to do the classic "book store dance" -- peruse book covers and titles, skim the back cover or flyleaf, and then find a comfy spot to give the book a chance. After about twelve minutes, I'd encourage them to pick a new book, perhaps explore a new genre. And then we'd do a third round. After about forty minutes, I'd offer them the opportunity to check out a book or just go back to class. Yesterday I was "matchmaker" for more than a dozen students who took a book home for the weekend, and hopefully more.
What a great way to spend a day in a high school library.
Here are some titles that went home with a new friend this weekend:
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