Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Let's Share our Canadian Authors and Books with the Global Read Aloud

Have you participated in the Global Read Aloud? GRA was created in 2010 on the premise of one book to connect the world. Classes connect with other classrooms to read the same book at the same time and to talk about their reading, to do similar assignments, and to learn more about where they live. Some teachers prefer to connect with just one other classroom, others prefer to connect with many classrooms. I have noticed that many connections last throughout the year. You can find out more about GRA on their website here. You can also find GRA on Facebook.

You will find the book choices from 2016 on the website. GRA chooses an author study for picture books and Lauren Castillo, an illustrator, was selected. She is well-known as an illustrator, but is also author of Nana in the City.


At the middle grades you could choose between Roald Dahl's The BFG or PAX by Sarah Pennypacker (illustrated by Canadian Jon Klassen).

At the high school level the choices were All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely or Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt. There is also a French version of GRA here.

You might even consider participating in the next event in the fall of 2017.  At this time, books are being suggested for the various levels and Pernille Ripp has asked for more suggestions from non-American authors and for more diversity.

The purpose of my blog post today is to ask for your help. Let's share our Canadian voice to the Global Read Aloud. Submit your ideas for your favourite Canadian authors or books here.

Who would you suggest? Please add suggestions to the comments section. I am sure we will find more great Canadian authors and illustrators by posting our ideas.  Be sure to make your suggestions to GRA#17 as well using the link just above.

Here are some of my suggestions:

Marie Louise Gay - Stella and Sam and so much more
Melanie Watt - Chester and Scaredy Squirrel plus her recent Bug in a Vacuum

Deborah Ellis - What book would you choose?
Kenneth Oppel - The Nest
Eric Walters - Choose a book
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch - Making Bombs for Hitler or Stolen Child






Who are your favourite Canadian authors and favourite Canadian books?




Join GRA#17 and connect your class to others. Learn about their area and discover similarities and differences.