The article focuses on the Dorthy Canfield Fisher (DCF) program or list. This is a list for Vermont children's choice award. Each year a list is compiled by eight experts that meet to compile a list. There is 30 books selected for the list out of about 300 titles. This list is used as support for student selection. It can be overwhelming for students, parents, teachers and even librarians in book choice. Each year about 10,000 children books are published. This list is an example which many states have as a tool to help guide students to good children literature.
Each year there is student volunteers that read books from the list and vote to choose their favorite. In April the votes are collected and the winner is announced in May.
Further than this list the article talks about other factors in book selection. There was 12 students interviewed for this article. Many of the students liked reading the books on the list. They trusted the choices of the committee that created the list. Many books were from different genres of interest to students. One student even mentioned choosing books from the list because of a favorite author he sees on the list.
Social aspect and relationships are built through reading. Many students mentioned that they choose books off of peers referral. They also liked reading the same books as their friends. Being able to converse about a book was something groups of friends liked to do. Friends also know what their friends like so they are a trusted resource. Coming from this social aspect would be books discussions, literature/book circles and book clubs. These all are great ways to let students use book selection with friends to find books of quality and interest.
Being aware of their own interest is essential for a student to find books. If a student has no interest in the book they will not gain as much from it.
Leveling is also a very negative thing to do in a classroom. It also takes away from the book selection. If Level N box has nothing of interest to the student they will not like it. Being in a level can also be embarrassing for a student. That is why lists like Dorothy Canfield Fisher is good because it gives suggestions off quality and genre rather than a level.
It is essential for teachers and librarians to stay on top of children's literature. Working together as a team to provide suggestions is important. Children book choice will happen in my classroom and it should happen everywhere. Let the students read what they like at the same time something challenging. Guidance is needed but student choice is needed too. Balance is great as lists like the Dorothy Canfield Fisher provide.
A Children's Choice Program: Insights into Book Selection, Social Relationships, and Reader Identity
Language Arts,
Vol. 87, No. 3, Who Is Reading? What Is Being Read? (January 2010), pp. 169-176
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