Oliver Twist Audiobook

[CrystalEv]

Starting the year off this week, working out kinks! Cores for 3rd, 5th, and 6th all have the read alouds and I'm committed to them, but 3 chapters a day is a tall order. I'm losing my voice!

Have you any experience with Oliver Twist audiobooks? Have a favorite narrator?? My 6th grader is just barely able to absorb the plotline and I think a really good reader for this book is integral for the enjoyment of it.

Also, the vocabulary in this Dickens work is mega-rich! And a smidge hard to follow for her (which I'm content to continue because what challenges one makes one better.). Which leads me to ask this: Would it be better to read Oliver Twist to my 6th grader myself (audiobook another grade's read aloud), so as to provide her with a quick commentary to keep her engaged and abreast of the plot and word-meaning? Or is stopping to explain what's going on something that isn't expected in the read-aloud portion of their school day?

Thanks, all.

[Heather in GA]

Simon Vance! I have listened to his narrations of David Copperfield and Nicholas Nickleby, and he is fantastic.

[JodiSue]

We used the Simon Vance narration last year and I really liked it.

For read alouds I do a little explaining of plot, no vocab. It's 95% just catch-as-catch can and sitting and enjoying having someone read us a story. Actually, we all kind of lounge around and listen to the audiobook, maybe before I start the chapter I'll try to have the kids jog my memory with what happened in the last chapter, or if something really pivotal happens and I think everyone is zoned out, I'll pause it and say, "So what did he just do?!" or something like that. Also, I admit that sometimes I zone out or have to go deal with a little and I will look up the SparkNotes on the chapter and maybe summarize from there before we start a new one for the day.

But also, I normally just do one chapter from one book and make everyone listen (or at least sit in the same room with the book playing, lol). I don't try to fit in both read alouds for both grades and three books running would wear me out too (not to diminish your commitment; I really admire it)! We had been doing the oldest's read aloud, but now down to the 5th grader since I don't think 7th grade has read alouds anymore. Last year, even though the littles didn't really understand Oliver Twist, they would all go around speaking in British accents all the time once we got a few chapters in. It was hilarious. Most of the books in the read aloud lists are books I've never read or never appreciated when I did read them. So read aloud time is as much for me as it is for the kids (which is why I like a good audio book). I tell everyone who will listen that the 4th grade read aloud package is among the best years of fiction reading I've ever had.

Glad to "see" you around these parts, Crystal!