It's an epidemic!
Well, maybe not an epidemic, but I see it happening quite a bit--kids who do not like to read. Several of my son's friends flat-out tell me they don't like it. In fact they would rather do almost anything else. Several of my mom-friends say the same thing--they cannot get their kids to read. They've tried the library, Barnes and Noble, kid's magazines, but the kids have a definite aversion, and they cannot get passed it.
I am not anti-school at all, but I think maybe school may have something to do with this. Our kids are told to read about endless battles in history (and remember the dates), the number of protons, electrons and neutrons in an atom, how our government functions, and endless other important facts and situations. They are then told to write about what they read so they will never forget what they learned. This is followed by reading books like Great Expectations, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Red Badge of Courage. Wonderful books, but heavy stuff.
Are there any books out there that are fascinating to children, yet worthy to be on a school's reading list? Is it worth it to have them exclusively exposed to only masterpieces at the expense of their love of reading? I would love to see some books added to the reading list that all the kids can the thrilled about, that they cannot wait to read and talk about in school. Harry Potter has been bashed by everyone from the Catholic church to local school systems, but kids were reading.
I hope we can be more open-minded and add a larger variety of books to our kid's reading lists. Because if we want our kids to like to read, we need to give them something they might enjoy.
Here are a few books I think are terrific and should be read for school:
* Anything by Roald Dahl
* The Harry Potter Series by J.K.Rowling
* Stephen King's books for the upper grades in high school
* Thomas the Tank Engine books for little ones
* Shel Silverstein books
Please tell me if there are any books you think would be great for kids to read, I would love to do a series of posts featuring the books you suggest. Thanks!!
I am in no way comparing myself to any of the above-mentioned authors, just adding a shamless plug for my own kid's book ----------------->
Heather Adkins added a great comment below that does not show so I am adding it here because they are such great suggestions--thanks Heather!!
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume(Actually, ANYthing by Judy Blume)
The Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
The Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
That's all I can think of off the top of my head :) All favorites from my childhood, Heather.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume(Actually, ANYthing by Judy Blume)
ReplyDeleteThe Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
The Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
That's all I can think of off the top of my head :) All favorites from my childhood.
Judy Blume--of course!! I grew up loving her books.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what age group you're referring to, but as a high school Language Arts teacher, I've been pleased to see a real increase in kids reading for pleasure the past few years. Of course, I may be in a somewhat unique situation teaching at a charter school for the performing arts. Most of our kids actually want to be in school. So that might skew the perspective a little, but it's still good to see.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I try to mix up my curriculum. I teach some Edgar Allan Poe, a little Twilight Zone reader's theatre, Lois Lowry's The Giver, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, and while it's not my favorite, Romeo and Juliet is pretty much required 9th grade Shakespeare. I think the key is to make them be able to relate whatever story to their own lives, be in a current or a classic. If a teacher can't do that, the kids won't care about what they're reading.
p.s.- Loved the Ramona books and most other Beverly Cleary works.
Paul D. Dail
www.pauldail.com- A horror writer's not necessarily horrific blog
Paul--I think I would have cut off a little finger to be in your Language Arts class as a kid. To read Poe and the Twilight Zone would have been a dream. And I agree with you--if a teacher can make it relatable the kids will surely respond. Wish you taught in our school system Paul. :) The environment you are a part of sounds terrific.
ReplyDelete