Recently one of my mentors, Donalyn Miller, presented a two part post on The Nerdy Book Club about books that make us cry and why we love them. I lost my self-consciousness about this years ago while reading aloud Charlotte’s Web for the umpteenth time and crying once again. I decided it was OK for my students to see me tear up.
Some of you may know about my student Emily. She is a fourth grader whose mother died unexpectedly this fall. I wrote about her here and here. She has been reluctant ever since to read sad books. She gave up on Love that Dog when she read that the dog died. She gravitated to funny books like Flora and Ulysses and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
I have been reading The Crossover aloud in my classroom ever since it won the Newbery Award. My boys went crazy over it, hooting and cheering. No other read aloud has brought on so much enthusiasm. They begged for more. The book makes a wonderful read aloud with its rhythmic verse and creativity of language.
When I found out from a friend that there was a (spoiler alert!) death, I became worried about Emily. Should I stop reading? I didn’t think they would let me. I tried to skip a few days, but I knew I would have to keep reading. I tried to buy the book at Barnes and Noble thinking I could just let them pass it around, but it was not to be found. All out on Amazon, too. The only way to finish Crossover was to keep reading it from my iPhone Kindle app.
I decided to just confront Emily with the truth. I called her aside privately. (Actually, she visits me every recess, so that wasn’t hard.) I told her the truth about the book. I asked her permission to keep reading. I told her if she got upset, she could leave the room.
Today was the day. 88% left. Emily knew this would be the day. She was prepared. In the cabinet she had hidden a sign, “RIP Chuck ‘Da Man’ Bell.” She sat close to me, so when I choked and couldn’t get the words out, she read them. The boys were silent. It was a profound moment. As Kwame Alexander wrote in Basketball Rule #10,
A loss is inevitable,
like snow in winter.
True champions
learn
to dance
through
the storm.
I’m crying just reading your post!!! Sigh…you handled this with such grace and I love you for that!!! Thank you for being YOU for being brave enough to be the teacher Emily needs and for sharing those books that make you cry and letting them ALL know that it’s ok to cry!
I just finished this book last week. I loved it and I love seeing how it played out in your classroom in this extraordinary situation. Thanks for sharing!
So many hugs to all of you. I feel fortunate to have friends like you in this stormy life… xo, a.
Definitely a great story. Quick anecdote–a couple of boys on our school basketball team have checked it out of my classroom library and one (about to read it) asks the other (who suggested it), “And you said its all written in Rap, right?”
Cracked me up and then I read an article shortly thereafter where Alexander says people keep making the same observation him. He said he wasn’t trying to write “Rap” just different styles of poetry.
But it is interesting the associations we can make, right? I mean, many moons ago poetry was indeed sung and a story-telling tool and a political tool and on and on. Sometimes all of the vernacular can distract us from the point–the kids are reading.
I love how boys are gravitating to this book in verse. Poetry rocks!
I haven’t read The Crossover yet. It’s on my TBR list. In fact, I’m heading to B&N later today. Perhaps I should pick it up!
For me, my biggest kid book cries have come from Number the Stars and Kira Kira.
I hope your B&N has it. Ours was out. And Amazon, too. There are a number of books that make you cry. Have you read The Secret Hum of A Daisy yet? Look at Donalyn’s posts. So many good books…
When I read the book, I knew that it was inevitable, but still, heart-breaking. You were so thoughtful, Margaret, and it looks like your student took a step forward for herself, too. I wish everyone could read what you did, and learn that teachers don’t just teach the basics! Lovely!
I hope you share this with Kwame Alexander! It’s such a beautiful book. You handled this expertly, and I hope Emily gains strength from the hope that is present at the end of the story. I’d like to read it aloud one day, too!
I tweeted and tagged, but no response yet. I would love to talk to him. The book is so moving and fun to read aloud.
Lovely post, Margaret. This book is now on my list to read. You handled the situation with your student with grace and respect. How lovely that she read for you as you wept.
That was a tough moment. I cried reading it on my kindle app. Emily has such strength. You are helping each other. Beautiful post.
This was a beautiful moment, Margaret, on so many levels – your sensitivity, the power of reading to our kids and the connections that builds, and Emily’s grace and strength. Just lovely!
Especially watching those boys. I think they each felt like they knew Josh “Filthy” personally. Amazing power of books!
[…] panic because I knew that I had treasure trove of Slicers to ignite me. Thank you Margaret Simon for THIS one. Her powerful slice actually brought me to […]
I agree with Tara – the post moved me in many ways, from your own compassion to the power of the story to the classroom community …
Kevin
I like to write honest and true. I never know when I may inspire or move others. The power of our words…
How beautifully you handled this tender situation. Thank you for a great book recommendation as well.
Thank you for the touching post, and for introducing me to this book – now to find it….
I love that with your love and support, Emily is learning to “dance through the storm.” Thank you for sharing this touching story with us, Margaret.
And thank you for the heads up. I think it made all the difference.
Thanks lady. You inspired me today! I was tearing up as I got to the end, of course.
Wow! What a beautiful story and how wonderful for your students that you are in touch with what really matters to them. Love this post!
What a perfect image from Kwame what all who suffer loss must do. Beautiful. touching post.
Thanks for directing me to this post, Margaret. It brought a tear to my eye. I’m not at all surprised by the reception THE CROSSOVER got in your classroom, but Emily’s strength and courage? That’s what put me over the edge.