I have a confession to make:
I don’t love all of the novels I am required to teach as part of the curriculum.
Phew! It feels good to get that off my chest! I understand the need for a canon and I’m lucky because I have a lot of flexibility in my district, but I just don’t feel passionately about all of the books my students and I read together. I’m making slow and steady progress in changing some of the books we read, but I also recognize that there are ways to connect with stories beyond loving or disliking a book. And that while I don’t love all of the books, I have students who do connect with and enjoy those same books.
At the same time, I know that passion is important. If I am not passionate about the book I am reading with my…