October 2011 Re-Viewing Books Gearing for the Australian Curriculum plus Hot Trends Paul Macdonald M Ed B Ed The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft

We live in interesting times... “Thought will spread across the world with the rapidity of light, instantly conceived, instantly written, instantly understood. It will blanket the earth from one pole to the other- sudden, instantaneous, burning with a fervour of the soul from which it burst forth. This will be the reign of the human word in all its plenitude. Thought will not have time to ripen, to accumulate into the form of a book- the book will arrive too late.” 1831 French Poet and Politician 2

Digital Immersion has even affected the way they absorb information. (Readers) don’t necessarily read a page from left to right and from top to bottom. They might instead skip around, scanning for pertinent information of interest. Ever since Guttenberg’s printing press made book reading a popular pursuit, the linear, literary mind has been the centre of art, science and society... It may soon be yesterday’s mind. “Once I was a scuba diver in a sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet ski.” Is deep reading a lost skill? Do we read differently because we now think differently ? 3

Expanded View of Literacy In the 21st century, the definition of literacy has expanded to refer to a flexible, sustainable mastery of a set of capabilities in the use and production of traditional texts and new communications technologies using spoken language, print and multimedia. We need to focus on a range of texts!

Multi-Modal

The national English curriculum is built around three interrelated strands that support students’ growing understanding and use of English. Language – Knowing about the English language: a coherent, dynamic, and evolving body of knowledge about the English language and how it works. Literature – Understanding, appreciating, responding to, analysing and creating literature: an enjoyment in, and informed appreciation of, how English language can convey information and emotion, create imaginative worlds and aesthetic and other significant experiences. Literacy – Growing a repertoire of English usage: the ability to understand and produce the English language accurately, fluently, creatively, critically, confidently, and effectively in a range of modes, and digital and print settings, in texts designed for a range of purposes and audiences.

Focus Areas Expanded View of Literacy Multi-Modal Texts National Identity Indigenous Focus Focus on Asia Sustainability Greater Focus on Language

9 A Global Perspective

Greater Focus on Language The national English curriculum will focus on how language enables people to create meaning in a broad range of forms and contexts. Vocabulary should be taught in ways that encourage students to be curious about the origins, meanings and uses of words.

What books are booming in the present? 12

Picture Book Highlights 13

Extension 14

Easy Reads Abound

Impact of Diary of a Wimpy Kid 16

The Series... Not too Risky! 17

Fantasy/ Action Rules 18

Graphic Novels 19

Social Realism

Looking Ahead 21

Non-Fiction 22

“Children who know adults who read for pleasure take it for granted that reading is a valuable and worthwhile activity” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1991) 23

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25 Paul Macdonald M Ed B Ed The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft School Visits 10% Discount for Teachers all Times 15% discount on books 20% discount on Class Sets Lists for Literature Circles and Class Sets Book Packs $7 Postage for all orders- 1 book or 3 Boxes of books.