For the second year in a row, my class will participate in a contest called NOVEL MADNESS. In teams, they brainstormed their favorite books of all time. Then, as a class, they voted on the top sixteen. This year the results were different than last year. Is it maybe because I have eleven fifth graders as well as eighteen sixth graders this year? Or is it because the popular books have shifted?
On Monday, March 11, 2013, pairs of students will present arguments in favor of the book they’ve selected. The class will vote, eliminating half the books in the first round. Click on the book’s title to read the students’ persuasive essays, intended to influence their classmates’ vote. Stay tuned here for the results!
First round matchups:
Mark of Athena vs. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireby Rick Riordan by J.K. Rowling Matilda vs. BFG both by Roald Dahl The Phantom Tollbooth vs. James and the Giant Peach by Norman Juster by Roald Dahl The Mysterious Benedict Society vs. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Trenton Stewart by J.K. Rowling Red Pyramid vs. Holes by Rick Riordan by Louis Sachar Catching Fire vs. Lightning Thief by Suzanne Collins by Rick Riordan Island of the Blue Dolphins vs. Hunger Games by Scott O’Dell by Suzanne Collins Hobbit vs. Pie by J.R.R. Tolkien by Sarah Weeks
I see some VERY intriguing matchups here! I also see that my class loves Roald Dahl more than last year. The novel that won last year, Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan, is not even listed, but the second place book, Lightning Thief, also by Rick Riordan, is! So which ones do you think should win the first round?
So excited!
I’m glad, Chloe! Which book are you arguing for?
Lightning Thief
Good job Linda. I support anything that gets young folks to put
down that game controller and pick up a book to read. Personally
I’m a big Tolkien fan. I also like Terry Pratchett, he makes fantasy
funny to the bone. Lee