Gordon Korman has written dozens of books over the last three decades, everything from the young adult books A SEMESTER IN THE LIFE OF A GARBAGE CAN (one of my favorite titles ever) and the more recent SCHOOLED and EVEREST to the middle-grade books THE SIXTH-GRADE NICKNAME GAME and 39 CLUES.
Gordon writes in a variety of styles and with a never-ending collection of memorable characters and produces books for every kind of kid. Here are the books we've enjoyed the last few months:
SWINDLE and ZOOBREAK:
Best friends Ben and Griffin right the wrongs in their community by concocting elaborate plans involving stolen baseball cards, animal heists, and villains with perfect nicknames.
THE TOILET PAPER TIGERS and THE CHICKEN DOESN'T SKATE:
I don't have one sporty bone in my body, and yet I've still been able to enjoy these books that include a small-town underdog baseball team headed up by a brilliant-but-clueless scientist and his savvy, blackmailing New York granddaughter and a science-experiment chicken that becomes a hockey-team mascot.
It's great to know we have so many more Korman titles to choose from in the months and years ahead!
What contemporary titles do your boys or male students gravitate toward?
One of my daughters really loved the Everest, Dive and Island series. Lots of action and interesting settings.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I've never heard of him. This is great info, as my nephew is just starting in on picture books, so I hope to have him reading up within a few years.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I shouldn't have ignored the girls! SCHOOLED was on the Louisiana Young Readers Choice Awards list several years ago, and it was a huge hit with both boys and girls.
ReplyDeleteMatt, glad you're planning ahead!
I saw Gordon Korman speak recently. I loved him. He was so funny! He talked about working with other writers on the 39 Clues series and the challenges that brings.
ReplyDeleteMy son loves the Danny Dragonbreath Series by Ursula Vernon. They're funny and he easily flies through a book, which keeps him from getting bored. ;)
hi miss caroline! i love mr kormans books! i just got done reding the 39 clues books. wow! cool for sure. im just way happy theres so much good books for boys. now that im 12 im kinda being a little y.a.ish i read all the hunger games. but for sure i still love my m.g. books.
ReplyDelete...smiles from lenny
Twelve's a great age to read both MG and YA, I say. And so is thirty-eight. :)
ReplyDeleteGordon Korman is amazing!~ I am in awe of how prolific he is, while keeping it good stuff. Thanks for showcasing him, Caroline.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how he keeps creating such unique characters. Truly a talent.
ReplyDeleteYahong, thanks for the recommendations! Adding to our list around here.
ReplyDeleteAh, Gordon Korman. Big fan of his. I think perhaps the reason he isn't as popular as he should be is that he is (sorry, Yahong) Canadian. His SWINDLE series is a favorite with students of mine. Dan Gutman is also a favorite for many kids who like Kormam. Have you tried Gutman? Great post, Caroline.
ReplyDeleteMike, thanks for the suggestion! I've never read Gutman. Adding to our list.
ReplyDeleteKorman is a MG god, and Anthony Horowitz is one of my personal favorites. Rich Wallace is awesome, as is John Wilson. There are more and more books for boys coming out all the time. Your 11 year old will be in great shape.
ReplyDeleteI need to haul out Zoobreak again and hand it to my youngest son! Thanks for the reminder! I heard Gordon Korman speak at a conference and he's just as delightful in person!
ReplyDeleteMs. Yingling, thanks for adding to new authors to our reading list. Susan, my May B. editor moved to Scholastic last summer, and as soon as she heard we were reading Gordon Korman, she sent us four Korman books, including the next two in the Swindle series. What a gal!
ReplyDeleteI really liked Gordon's Everest Series, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd, No More Dead Dogs---very funny book.
And, an older one of his books: "Son of the Mob" I think that's what it was called, very funny as well.
I loved the MacDoanld Hall books as well as A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag. I had an autographed copy of that that the school librarian got for me. I just wrote about him today on my blog. Reading through these comments I am reminded that I forgot about I Want to Go Home. I had that one too and it was great.
ReplyDeleteJeff Semonis
www.jeffsbookcase.blogspot.com