Students chose books from a variety of genres to “taste” and reflect on what they liked and didn’t like.
This month in our elementary libraries, Mrs. Barnes is hosting Genre Book Tastings for grades 3-5. The library transforms into “Cafe Read-a-Latte.” In this cozy café, students “sample” books from every genre—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels, biographies, and more. Much like a food tasting, students are encouraged to try new “flavors” of reading to discover something that excites their curiosity.
Our Genre Book Tasting is aligned to classroom reading and writing units, giving students a fun, hands-on way to apply what they’re learning in and out of the classroom.
Each week highlights a new menu of genres:
- Week 1: Realistic fiction, science fiction, sports fiction, and historical fiction
- Week 2: Mysteries, biographies, non-fiction, animal fiction
- Week 3: Spooky fiction, fantasy fiction, thriller fiction and poetry
“Book tastings are a great way to build excitement around reading,” said Elementary Library Media Specialist Michelle Barnes. “Students get to relax in a casual atmosphere, and it helps them step outside their comfort zones as readers to explore new books and series.”
Beyond exploring new stories, activities like this have a lasting impact. The more students read, the stronger their spelling, vocabulary, and writing skills become – and often, the more they want to read in the future.
Students chose books from a variety of genres to “taste” and reflect on what they liked and didn’t like.
Choice and Agency: By sampling and reflecting on books in genres they haven’t experienced before, students learn to make informed, independent reading choices, and may even discover new hobbies or passions they wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
Critical Thinking: Students compare and contrast books and genres, identify their preferences, and learn to articulate reasons for their choices.
Information Literacy: Exposure to diverse text types builds familiarity with how information is organized and presented. Students strengthen their ability to distinguish fact from opinion and develop a foundation for conducting research.
Book tastings bring excitement and joy to reading while supporting curriculum goals and promoting equitable access to a wide range of materials. Every student has the chance to find a “just-right” book and to build key 21st-century skills like self-direction, teamwork, and curiosity.
By offering these memorable experiences in our libraries, we help students strengthen their literacy skills—and nurture the confidence and curiosity that will inspire them throughout their education and beyond.