Wednesday, May 1, 2013

A Journey with Edward

I don't know about you, but TGIW!  This has been the longest week!

As it is Wednesday,it's time to link up with Ideas by Jivey for her Workshop Wednesday.  I have to say that I absolutely LOVE this linky party!  I get so many amazing ideas from reading all of the posts.  Thank you to all who read and all who share!  :)


 
 
This week's topic is our favorite book to read with a small group.  Without a doubt, I would pick my all-time favorite book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.
 



How to describe the plot?  This is the story of a china rabbit who thinks very highly of himself at the beginning of the story.  He says he loves no one and needs no one, not even the young girl who calls him her own, Abilene.   Edward lives a good life, wearing the finest outfits and being treated as a member of Abilene's family.   However, through a series of events that sends him on a downward spiral, out of the arms of Abilene, and through the lives of several different people, Edward comes to realize  that love is what helps us through the tough spots in life.  One of my favorite lines of the story is:


"If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." (p. 199)



Ahhh....I cry every time I read this story (and sometimes the kids cry too.:)

This book has beautiful illustrations that can be used to make predictions before reading a chapter:







 



Also, this is a great book to use to analyze how a character changes throughout a story.  Edward goes through a DRASTIC change, which is very easy for the kids to analyze and discuss.  I always try to read this book in the fall to discuss characterization and often find myself referring back to it throughout the year.  There is even a Readers Theater script of one of the chapters available at http://www.edwardtulane.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Yny-zUwaGF0=.  How awesome is that???

So take a Journey with Edward and head over to Jivey's blog to read more great book recommendations.  You'll be glad you did!

Happy Reading!

9 comments:

  1. I love this book. When I read it to my class last year they were lots of tears. It was the first time for many students to encounter a sad book, they didn't realize books could be so sad! I may have to use it for a guided reading book next year - you are right, there is a big character change.

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  2. This is one of the best books I've ever read! Tears is right!! Everybody should read it!!
    Gina
    Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

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  3. I soooo love this book, and I do cry every time. Thanks for linking up!!
    Jivey
    ideas by jivey
    Follow ideas by jivey on Facebook!

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  4. I don't want to CRY!! Now I'm dying to check it out. It's on my summer reading list now, too. I even found your blog to follow from this linky party-thanks for sharing with your newest follower, Heather

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  5. I love this book! My husband has a fear of flying and I read the entire book to him on a flight one Christmas!
    Sarah

    MissKinBK

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  6. Well, since I've bragged on Kate DiCamillo I think I need to read this one for sure...
    Thanks!
    Amanda
    Collaboration Cuties

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  7. This is a great book. I just read it last summer. I am going to have to put it on my small group buy list. Thanks for sharing.

    Foreman Teaches

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  8. Love, love, love this book. Just finished it as a class read aloud. They were in shock a the end. Had my 4th grade daughter read it and she finished it in 2 hours. Love it!

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  9. This book sounds wonderful! It is great that it goes so well with showing how characters change. Thank you for sharing it!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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