This year I have set myself a goal to read a lot more YA fiction. The purpose being two-fold: to be able to discuss with students the books they are reading and recommend other books they might enjoy. The second reason is to build up my bank of mentor texts for using in secondary schools. I have read some great literature and am looking forward to the new Deborah Ellis book, The Best Day of my Life, sitting beside my bed. I have met some exciting new authors, books I can recommend to my teenagers and, I might add, I have been introduced to the lives and loves of zombies, vampires and Uglies.

What are the books you can’t live without in your coaching and teaching, the ones you return to again and again when teaching mini-lessons or confer with students? The ones I should definitely add to my must read list? I would love to hear.

The story of the three little pigs by Jon Scieszka has always been one I use year after year. It shows how a story can be told from different points of view. If you know this book or if you know just the original story of the Three Little Pigs, you will love this: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/03/05/147977288/the-three-little-pigs-and-the-future-of-journalsim

Enjoy your Easter break