At the end of each year, I create a project with my 4th graders that revolves around their favorite books. The lesson I create asks the graduating 4th graders to write a book review of their favorite book from 4th grade. I take their picture and put the picture with the review. At the beginning of the following year, I use this as a way to get the kids excited about reading while meeting older students from our community. This serves as a way to build my classroom library, but more importantly, build community and connections. The room is always filled with excitement and lots of eager questions about what's happening when they see the books and reviews on the table.
Students remember these reviews and who wrote them, especially if it's a book or series that propelled them into a new genre or just motivated them to read.
I've even had students tell me they met the reviewer at a school event and discussed the book. What an incredible way to build community and create dialogue around literature!
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