This weekend, after reading Robison Wells’ Variant I got to thinking about reading lists and their potential hang-ups for parents. This is not to say that reading lists are a bad way to select books for your kids, they can definitely be helpful. It’s just that they don’t work for everyone.
I sped through Variant in two very late nights. (If you saw me looking less than alert last week you now know why) Variant was everything a book for reluctant readers should be. Quick paced, fun, suspenseful, page turning. You would think that would give me the confidence to recommend it to Joe Blow Reluctant Reader but I’m afraid it’s not that simple.
Parents often ask me, “Is this a good book for a reluctant reader?” Wouldn’t it be great if I could just say yes or no? Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Whatever they’re holding may or may not be on a reluctant reader’s book list but whether or not it will hold their child’s interest? Well that’s a different story.
If you have a reluctant reader at home and want to get them reading, start by asking yourself what type of story would motivate your child to read? A good way to assess this is to consider what type of movies they like. If they like comedies might they like funny books? Could they be interested in mysteries, romance, fantasy, or horror? If you don’t know the answer and are going to be selecting a book for them sit your child down for a mini interview.
1. What was the last good book you read? (If your child can’t answer try asking the same questions but about movies instead of books)
2. What did you like about it?
3. Do you like books with girl main characters or boy main characters?
4. Do you like books that seem real or do you like fantasy stories like Harry Potter or the Wizard of Oz?
Once armed with the answers to those questions your local children’s librarian can help you find a book that is not only good for reluctant readers but good for YOUR reluctant reader.
I sped through Variant in two very late nights. (If you saw me looking less than alert last week you now know why) Variant was everything a book for reluctant readers should be. Quick paced, fun, suspenseful, page turning. You would think that would give me the confidence to recommend it to Joe Blow Reluctant Reader but I’m afraid it’s not that simple.
Parents often ask me, “Is this a good book for a reluctant reader?” Wouldn’t it be great if I could just say yes or no? Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Whatever they’re holding may or may not be on a reluctant reader’s book list but whether or not it will hold their child’s interest? Well that’s a different story.
If you have a reluctant reader at home and want to get them reading, start by asking yourself what type of story would motivate your child to read? A good way to assess this is to consider what type of movies they like. If they like comedies might they like funny books? Could they be interested in mysteries, romance, fantasy, or horror? If you don’t know the answer and are going to be selecting a book for them sit your child down for a mini interview.
1. What was the last good book you read? (If your child can’t answer try asking the same questions but about movies instead of books)
2. What did you like about it?
3. Do you like books with girl main characters or boy main characters?
4. Do you like books that seem real or do you like fantasy stories like Harry Potter or the Wizard of Oz?
Once armed with the answers to those questions your local children’s librarian can help you find a book that is not only good for reluctant readers but good for YOUR reluctant reader.