I couldn’t resist blogging about Orca after reading Becky’s post. Last week I returned from ALA to unpack 5 boxes of books. Through Follett I purchased as many of the Orca Soundings titles as I could afford.
I was tired of never having enough Bluford High books on the shelf and I wanted the students to increase the amount of reading they are participating in. So, I bought a LARGE number of titles. The only problem is that I process the books at the circulation desk right where students can see what I’m doing. They know they can ask me to quickly process something new if they see it on the shelf beside me and "just can’t wait."
You would be surprised and shocked at how many students might die if I don’t hurry up and get those books in their hands. At least, that’s according to them.
Orca books will surprise you with their variety of titles for reluctant readers. Take Bang by Norah McClintock who also wrote Tell and Snitch. My student who is fascinated with the ill effects of gangs and guns sat on the floor behind my desk reading Bang. I think he was hoping his teacher would forget him so he could keep reading. He suggested that more libraries need books like that for kids like him to read.
Guess I’ll be checking out the other series Orca has and planning orders for next year. I may even have to hold a second book fair this year to have enough funds to buy what the students request. Isn’t that a whale of a problem?
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