I've chosen to read The View from Saturday, by E. L. Konigsburg, with a new English language tuition student.
I started a re-read last night and was done a couple of hours ago. It's as enjoyable as I remember it - from way back when.
Four slightly unconventional sixth graders become friends and are chosen to represent their school in a general knowledge competition.
The kids (Noah, Nadia, Ethan and Julian), who call themselves The Souls, take turns to tell the reader about themselves and the events that lead up to them becoming chums and being chosen to be on the school team.
They are good kids - interesting, amusing, smart and kind.
The book mentions how most students are no longer curious. Instead of saying "Now what?" they say "So what?"
Konigsburg wrote Saturday in 1996. I wonder what she makes of things now. My own students are mostly apathetic. They are bored and think there is nothing new or wonderful in this world. There are exceptions. Well, I have one student who seems to care and wonder. And she loves to read.
I also have a student who thought the United Kingdom was in America and had no idea where Venice was.
Saturday talks about turtles, Alice in Wonderland, feminism and calligraphy. The Souls ask questions, dream dreams, plan projects and make a difference. I hope my student will be inspired although he may, initially, feel he is reading about aliens.
The View from Saturday won the 1997 Newberry Medal.
i love this book. i love E.L konigsburg too :)
Posted by: nerr | Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 15:49