CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION, Reviewed by Mike Winchell

The last book in the CJJ series is out now!

There are stories that personify “series” with just the mere pronunciation of their titles: The Matrix. Lord of the Rings. Star Wars. The Hunger Games…
 

…and…

…Charlie Joe Jackson!

Yes, I said it. My man Tommy Greenwald continues Charlie Joe Jackson’s ever-evolving story in the third installment of the series, CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION. And having read and reviewed the first two, I’d say this one is my favorite of the bunch. Charlie Joe has given us his guide to NOT reading (book 1), his guide to extra credit (book 2), and now we are lucky to have his guide to summer vacation. All three of the books are hilarious and kid-friendly, but at the same time trick the young reader into…er…reading! I always loved how the original intention of the first book was to, obviously, hook reluctant readers by making them hopeful they’d find ways to avoid reading by picking up the book, but then trick them into reading. And enjoying it, most likely. Nice thinking, Greenwald, you trickster. CJJ would hate you for that, though.

Back when the first book came out, I snapped a pic of it on the shelves.

Now with this third book, CJJ is being shipped off to an academic summer camp called Camp Rituhbukkee (slyly pronounced “Read-a-Bookie”). So the non-nerdy CJJ is surrounded by a nerd-herd-and-then-some, which would lead one to wonder, hmm, maybe the mass nerdiness will rub off on CJJ. But, in his uniquely mischievous manner, CJJ contrarily thinks of something else: maybe his non-nerdiness can rub off on them?! Therein lies the crux of the third book: for CJJ to try to change the culture of Camp Rituhbukkee by helping the kids see that reading and learning just ain’t cool. But again, Greenwald applies the same reverse psychology as the story unfolds and the rubbing goes both ways (which sounds inappropriate, but you get the gist) and both sides learn quite a bit about the balance between work and play. Interspersed with cool comic drawings by J.P. Coovert (who illustrated the other CJJ books as well), and including letters written to/from CJJ to/from various people “back home” (characters from the first two books who readers will remember), this is a win-on-all-levels book.

Some of you may remember my son digging into the second book about a year ago.

If you have a reluctant reader in your life, or any kid, in fact, hand all three of the CJJ books off to him or her. Pretty sure the kid will thank you. My son did (see above).

Oh, and if you're all upset that the CJJ journey is over, I just got word from Greenwald himself that there will be at least two more in the CJJ series, not to mention a spin-off based on a character who is in book three, Jack Strong. Nice!

My classroom library is a car dealership, by Mike Winchell

Although yet another school year just ended—my fourteenth year teaching—I find myself rather excited to get next year started. Wow, it’s weird typing that. Don't get me wrong; I’m ready to relax and enjoy a well-deserved break this summer, but I’m itching to start the new school year at the same time. There are reasons, though, for my feeling of rejuvenation. See, I’m moving into a new classroom that has a new SMART Board, a great location in the building, enough space for any creative activity (I’ve been stuck in a room with a giant pillar in the middle that had essentially cut the room in half), and enough computers and laptops for every student. I have always said that if I ever had enough computers for all students that I would try going completely digital. I plan on doing just that, with perhaps 90% of my activities and assignment done digitally (assignments emailed, dropped in our shared drive, and handed in via web resources). And then there is something else I’m super psyched about: my classroom library.

I, like many ELA teachers, have my students read independently (on a monthly basis). And like many teachers, I allow my students to choose their own books. There is no required genre, no required book length, no reading level or reading range, nothing that might restrict them in choice. The point is for them to be inspired to be lifelong readers by allowing them to choose and enjoy their own books. There’s something to be said about students owning their own selections when it comes to reading. When you allow them to choose on their own, there’s an intrinsic motivation that comes with the choice.

This is not to say I don’t help, or sometimes guide, students to help them find books that are right for them in terms of reading level, or help them find books that might be of interest. The school librarian and I always offer suggestions, and we utilize the state-of-the-art school library to give students an extensive selection. Our library is outstanding! This said, I still enjoy having my own classroom library that is stocked with some classics, along with a ton of new MG and YA page-turners. It allows for a better student-teacher/reader-reader discussion when I can highlight  a bunch of recommended books and even pick them up, turn to a page, and say, “Read this!” It’s like a car salesman standing inside a huge dealership full of shiny rides, offering multiple test drives, and then pointing out all the bells and whistles of each car. "These books are priced to sell, folks! Just sign and drive!"

This leads me to a question for you all: what 1-2 books would you say are, without-question, must-haves for any middle-school classroom library? And why?

* * To help round out my classroom library, I have turned to many of my writer friends and asked if they’d like to donate a book to add to my "dealership." So if you are a writer or publisher and want to donate a copy of your book(s) for my classroom library, feel free to email me: mswinchell@hotmail.com. I am toying around with the idea of starting a kids-only review blog (with my school librarian) and having our students give honest-to-goodness reviews (no “good-things-only” reviews for us…just honest opinions from kids). If you’re game to throw yours in the dealership for a kid-driven test drive, go ahead and email me. **