Quality Books?

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Home : 2008 : February : 23

Quality Books?
By jorgefuriouso

I agree with some posters above. Any books that get kids reading are "quality books." Then you can begin steering them toward more well written choices. After all, how many adults sit on the beach reading Dante, Shakespeare,
or Milton?

I also agree that you should not spend a lot when starting your library. Instead, find a library that sells used books, or better yet, offer to start a section in your public library to do just that. My town library sells children's books (soft and hard cover) for just 25 cents each. I've gone in and purchased dozens of good-as-new books (which appeared in Scholastic

book clubs just the previous month). Garage sales and thrift stores are also recommended, although the consistency of the used book shelves at our library cannot be beat.

Next step, take really good care of the books you have. In my class all books have sign-out cards, and the softcovers are all covered with clear Contact paper (by me, parent volunteers, students). When parents see how well you take care of your library, you will begin to get bags of books from former students whose parents know they are being sent to a good home. I've even gotten bags of books from parents who have just heard about my library (although I never had their kids in my class).