As some of you know, I am in the midst of trying something new. Two of my classes of students have spent a week reading Choose Your Own Adventure novels, and now will begin writing their own. I was amazed at how many books they were reading, and I did an informal survey to gather some numbers.
I also asked them about what they were liking and disliking about the books.
Likes:
- The reader makes decisions about the story
- There are many different ways that the stories can end
- It’s entertainment reading
- You can always backtrack into the story and start over at another point
- The reader is a partner with the writer
- The reader is a character in the story
Dislikes:
- Too many story branches end in death
- It’s easy to lose your place, particularly if you want to go back
- The jumping around the book can be confusing
- The novels are too short
- Lots of exaggeration, unrealistic adventure
- Not all the endings were equally creative
- Not enough choice (!)
I’ll admit — that last one threw me, but I was the recorder of the discussion here.
Peace (in the endings),
Kevin
Did they read a story individually? I have some low readers but I want to try this. Maybe I will give them the option and read to those that want me to read aloud.
Chris
I had then pair up with someone (sometimes, I made the pairings) and read the story together as one reads a passage and the other makes the choice, and then switch. At that time, they also are mapping out all of the choices they make to visually show the story unfolding … Hope that helps …
Kevin