I’m so excited, all the 2nd grade classes are now done with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. We’re finishing up book reviews of it this week. I wrote 3 sentences on the board and asked the kids to fill in their opinions, good or bad, of the book. They had some great thoughts about it, I was so impressed! I used to take it personally when students didn’t like a book we read in class together, but then I remembered that I don’t like every book I’ve read, either. Especially those I read in school, so why should I expect them to be any different? The point for me is that they really think it through, I don’t want them to just tell me it was good or bad. And they totally get it.

WARNING: SPOILERS to follow for the book, if you haven’t read it already and want to stop now!

Here are Emily’s thoughts:

Justin said:

Isabelle didn’t like the book, and she had good reasons:

Amen, Mackenzie!:

Elliott’s review was thoughtful:

Can you tell that Julia is a sensitive thinker? Also, she has better handwriting than I do:

Cindy had mixed feelings, which I think is perfect:

These are just some of the highlights, but I’m so proud of all of them!