Every summer I spend time reading children's literature in order to recommend great books to my students.  This summer, I also wanted to work on developing lesson plans to deepen the thinking of my students while they are reading.  Working with gifted readers, I often find that students are very quick to finish reading a book and are 'done'.  I was searching the library and book stores to find resources to help me deepen my students thinking.  I came across a fantastic resource, Interpreting Literature with Children by Dr. Shelby Wolf.  Dr. Wolf provides great ideas for slowing students down and helping them to dig below the surface to uncover deeper meaning within the text.  While reading this resource, I decided to reread several of the books she refers to in the text.  My husband and kids chuckled while I cried reading Bridge to Terebithia (ok I balled my eyes out),  The Giver, The Watsons go to Birmingham and Because of Winn Dixie. Ok, so I cry easily.  But these are amazing books for kids.  I can't wait to read them again in the fall with students.