“Book Tasting” Spices Up 8th Grade English

A “Book Tasting” added some variety to a recent 8th grade English class.

Librarian Julianne Ross set up the experience for students to “sample” different books and write reviews in their menus so they would be able to return to the library later and select favorite books for independent reading.

Ross grouped the books in courses — appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts. Each course had a different theme such as “Award Winners,” “Non-Fiction,” “New Releases,” and “Virginia Choice Readers’ Selections.” As they “sampled” and reviewed the books, they enjoyed grapes, crackers, cookies and after-dinner mints, served by a waitress.

“It was an engaging way to review of a variety of delicious book selections,” notes Ross. “Reading is important for EMS students not only to build literacy skills,” she says. “Reading also fosters imagination and innovation, cultivates curiosity about our world, and nurtures compassion for our global community.”

Ross plans library events, designs reading programs, and offer reader’s advisory, as well as works with classroom teachers to develop a reading culture at EMS.

She graduated from EMHS in 2001, earned a BA in 2006 in elementary education from Eastern Mennonite University and an MS in school library science from Longwood University in 2012