Reading

Realoud Books

This year I read The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winters to my third grade class. We were in the middle of studying literary nonfiction texts. During this unit students learned that literary nonfiction blends elements of fiction and nonfiction texts. They have the same story elements of fiction stories, such as a central character (or subject), events, conflict, and usually a resolution or triumph. However, literary nonfiction stories are true stories about real people. Setting is also important in literary nonfiction. It influences the events in the person's life. Often characters found in this genre show  courage and overcome obstacles to make a difference in society.

This book is a true story about a woman named Ali Muhammad Baker who saved 30, 000 library books from being destroyed in the war in Basra, Iraq. Throughout the realoud students made inferences about the main character Alia. At the end of the story the students discussed the author's purpose. The students agreed that Alia did something significant for the world. Rich discussions were held about about courage that Alia had to save all the books and why books are so important. The students also learned about geography and history as I read this story. 

Another great literary nonfiction text we read was Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora and illustrated by Raul Colon. This story is based on the true story of the Mexican-America author Tomás Rivera. The story tells how Tomás and his family migrated from Texas to Iowa every summer to work in the fields of Iowa. Tomás discovers a library in Iowa and the librarian exposes him to many stories, which he then shares with his family.