Choosing a book #sol19

Today, I presented a group of students with a stack of books.  We’d been exploring character development and they were to choose a book to read before writing about how the main character evolved during the course of the story.  I tried to provide a wide variety of books that I thought would appeal to the kids in the group.

J picked up two books and I could tell that he was really weighing his options.  Either book would have been great choices, but he seemed torn.  He flipped through each book and looked at the front and back covers.  He glanced at the stack of books, but none of them seemed to attract his attention like the two that he already held.  Finally, he looked up at me and said, “I just don’t know what to choose.  If I pick one, then the other is not going to feel wanted.”

Honestly, it took me a minute to comprehend his words.  Thankfully, he continued to talk about how it was hard to choose between the two books.  I agreed with him, but assured him that he’d also have the opportunity to read both books.  He seemed reassured, chose a book, and was soon leaned back in his chair with his knees up against the table, reading happily.