Nel Noddings & A Book List

"If we decide that the capacity to care is as much a mark of personhood as reason and rationality, then we will want to find ways to increase this capacity." - Nel Noddings

In the spirit of Nel Noddings, I have started to put together a mentor text list of books that encourage a dialogue around ethics, choices, and caring. One idea for extending conversations might be to have small groups of students write prologues or epilogues to help express how they saw through a character's lens. Exploring the diverse characters and how they came to make and reflect upon their actions, will offer participants critical discourse opportunities.

Picture Books

• Little Beauty by Anthony Browne
• Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne
• Willy the Wimp by Anthony Browne
• Gorilla by Anthony Browne
• Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby
• Hey, Little Ant by Phillip & Hannah Hoose
• Fox by Margaret Wild & Ron Brooks
• Night Diary by Paul Hunt
• The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
• Thanks to the Animals by Rebekah Raye
• Friends by Catherine Thimmesh
• Everyday Dress Up by Alko
• The Robot & the Bluebird by Lucas
• Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski

Books for Grade 4 and Above  

• The One & Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
• Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos
• Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
• Paperboy by Vince Vawter
• Rules by Cynthia Lord
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
• Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick   

Paperboy

I just finished my first summer read, Paperboy by Vince Vawter.  A story about a reflective young boy, who happens to stutter. A boy who experiences a summer that exposes his inner strengths, through listening to what others around him can offer him, as well as their embrace of all he can offer too. I think it is appropriate that author Rob Buyea commented that he loved this book, as Vawter, like Buyea or a Gary Schmidt, develop characters that are as real as someone you know, and you find yourself rooting for their happiness and well being during and after you finish reading. I also know a book is special to me when in between reading it, I think about it and offer insight, as if I am reflecting about someone I care about in real life. For anyone who feels defined by their tangles, or can relate to how that feels, this book will reveal the confidence we all have and need to survive adversity. This book makes a great family read, independent read, and would be a well received read aloud too.