AIBU re: teachers reaction to DD's reading book

[Llanbobl]

Don'treally want to post in AIBU, would sort of like a teachers perspective if possible.

DD(aged 9, Yr5) is currently reading All Creatures Great and Small (James Herriot) as her reading book and has been for 4 weeks now, this has been faithfully recorded in the reading diary which the teacher has signed each week and awarded huousepoints for reading and spellings.

Yesterday (and I know this is according to DD, so her impression of the situation and not gospel) the teacher asked her what she was reading. DD replied and the teacher pulled a "meh" face (so I'm guessing she does not wholy approve) and asked how long she had been reading it [hmm}. DD explained she only had a couple of chapters left and teacher replied "oh well, I suppose you should finish it".

I don't know if I'm being P2ndB or not, but, I'm not impressed with the teachers passive aggressive approach, especially as she has been signing the reading record weekly. DD can read this book fluently and understands the story/context, we discuss the issues and look at the characters etc. Not sure if I should go in to discuss with her or not, DD has finished the book this evening and has Skellig lined up next, so possible I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.

Grateful for your advice (and sorry it's long)

Maybe it's just not one of the teachers favorite pieces of literature. I'd leave it.

If you go in every time your DD says the teacher pulled a face, you'd be for ever in the classroom.

I know it's not great literature, but beter than the bland diet of Michael Morpurgo she fills the class bookshelves with!

DD has never come home with a tale like this before, which is why I didn't know if I was overreacting.

Thank you for your common sense approach/advice, it's appreciated.

See if the teacher pulls a face at Skellig, and then go and moan :P
Skellig is a fantastic book.

It is indeed Sunscorch

Well, I think that All Creatures Great and Small is great stuff for a 9yo and am now seriously thinking of getting the whole series for my DD1 who is 11 and has just finished devouring most of Gerald Durrell's animal memoirs.

DD2 is 9 and is hooked on Rick Riordan and Diana Wynne Jones, would that be 'good' enough?

You clearly have a very good reader, I'd continue sending her to school with stuff you know she will enjoy which will stretch her and just smile and nod at this teacher. The year is nearly over anyway.

It's a good book and IMO well written - if teachers want DC to read certain books they should provide them and/or a reading list.

My DD read the book at about that age (as did I, when it came out ) and much rather a 9 year old read that than one of those 'rainbow fairy' books my DN was reading at that age.

Agree if teacher has same reaction to another book perhaps go and ask her what she would prefer DD to read? Otherwise let it go - DC need to learn it's OK to form their own opinion about books etc.

Not surprised you are annoyed by teachers behaviour - I would be too.

I love the book it's great. Why are you so bothered by this? Maybe the teacher doesn't know it and just recognises it as an adult book and was surprised? If you are going to get upset by the teacher's facial expressions, tone of voice etc you may as well set up camp in the playground!

I had the same experience with DD (8) who had choosen diary of a wimpy kid from the school library as she finished the book the teacher made a similar comment. We now have Alice in wonderland - oh how I hate this book, but the teacher thinks it's wonderful.

You are overreacting- just let it go. Let her read what she wants to read (and what you want her to read).

Who cares what the teacher thinks of the book :) she's reading and enjoying it. Far better for here to be reading a book she chose than the awful selections schools hand out. I was given books at 14 I wouldn't have touched when I was 8. Forcing a kid ti read to someone else's level or taste is asking for trouble :) can't see anything wrong at all with a book based around a respected country vet. :)

DS read one of the Herriot anthologies about the same age. He loved it for the swearing!

Think you are a bit sensitive? Herriott books contain a lot of gory sheep birthing & maybe teacher felt squeamish just seeing the cover again.

I thought the same as Lockets. The teacher may well have been commenting on the length of time your dd has been reading the same book rather than the book itself.

Thank you all - Cansu what bothers me is the passive aggressive stance the teacher took- if she has a problem she should speak to me - I wanted to gauge people's opinions as to whether I was being P2ndB and it seems on the whole I'm not, but should chill a bit

Lockets and others (sorry am on my phone and can't flick back) she has been reading other books during that time. The teacher insists on one book being finished and a book review written. She's been reading a couple of Alex Rider's and some Morpurgo twaddle about a cat as well as papers, magazines etc.

Teacher insists that reading at home is always outloud - and she definitely gets "meh" when she thinks the kids are skim reading - as another parent found out when she lectured them and said a 10 year old couldn't possibly be reading a 200 page book in a week - which is easily achievable when reading in your head, so now it's outloud for all regardless of ability