Middle School Book Tasting

Shorecrest’s Middle and Upper School Media Specialist, Casey Giroud ’02, has been collaborating with Middle School teachers to help students discover their next great independent reading books.

Eighth graders took part in a book tasting with separate stations that encouraged focusing on a book that had been made into a film. Books were presented by theme, such as: Dystopian Worlds; High Adventure & Epic Journeys; Classics & Tough Decisions; Sports, Teamwork, & Pressure; and Nature, Isolation, & Identity. Within the genres were student favorites such as “The Hunger Games,” “The Maze Runner,” “Wonder” and “Out of My Mind.”

Students explored each selection like critics and screenwriters: examining the cover, reading the book description, noting visual clues on the table, and then scanning a QR code to watch the movie trailer. As they filled out their logs, they were prompted to think deeply:

• “How might the book be different from the movie?”*
• “Which story relies heavily on internal thoughts that could be hard to adapt on screen?”*
• “Which book might pose the biggest visual-effects challenge?”*

Sixth graders** enjoyed a seasonal twist with a Harvest Book Tasting, where each genre was presented as a course on a menu.

• Appetizer: The Time Traveler — fictional characters placed in historical settings
• Salad: The Unsolvable Mystery — crimes, riddles, and secrets to uncover
• Entrée: The Unthinkable Journey — magical worlds and mythical creatures
• Side Dish: The True Story — narratives based on real events or people
• Dessert: The Modern Dilemma — contemporary, relatable stories about school, family, or friendships

Students sampled each “course,” noting intriguing excerpts, plot elements, and predictions. Their final challenge: describe the book in one sentence that would convince a friend to read it.

“I do these types of activities throughout the year. It helps get the students excited about choosing a book and makes the library a special place to visit,” said Mrs. Giroud.

With so many titles on the shelves of the Hess Library, choosing a new book can feel overwhelming. Activities like these give students a fun, structured way to explore stories, discover new authors, and venture outside their usual reading comfort zones.