Dear NI2,
here's the title of the novel we're going to read in the first semester: The no.1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. You're supposed to read it at your own pace at home and we'll do group activities about the book in January and an individual writing activity as well. Don't wait until Christmas to start reading it!!!!
(Since the book was first published in 1998 and became very popular, you will find different editions with different covers. Don't worry as long as you buy the right title)
Dear NI2,
here's a suggestion of something you can do while there's no substitute teacher (and continue doing when s/he replaces me): you can read an original novel, which can be challenging but quite rewarding once you've done it!
The title of the novel I'm proposing is A Love for Life, by Penny Hancock (Cambridge English Readers, Level 6). The book comes with three CDs. I'm sure you can find it in the big stores, but also in the small ones in the neighbourhood if you order it for the whole class.
We'll do some activities and discuss the book towards the middle of December, hopefully ;-)
here's the title of the novel we're going to read in the first semester: The no.1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. You're supposed to read it at your own pace at home and we'll do group activities about the book in January and an individual writing activity as well. Don't wait until Christmas to start reading it!!!! 
