My advanced class (preteens) is currently reading Holes by Louis Sachar.
If you haven't read it, you definitely should! It's an amazing book, and I think I'm enjoying it even more than the kids are. And that's hard to do, because they're loving it.
Especially one girl. She's become fascinated by the character of Kissin' Kate Barlow, a cowgirl outlaw whose trademark is leaving a red lipstick kiss on the faces of the men she shoots. Her essay on whether Kate was a good or a bad person was one of the most impassioned things I've ever marked as a teacher. And even more amazingly...
She's writing fic! She came into class today with a 2000 word story (not assigned, she did this for fun) with an AU ending for Kate in which she survives her story and goes on to take over Texas. Without any knowledge that thi is even a thing (as far as I know) she's producing FANFICTION!
I think she's far too young to be venturing into Stanley/Zero slash yet, but seeing a little geek get her wings is just so adorable.
