Here’s a great classic for boys (and girls) age 7 to 9. Sid Fleischman takes us to the world of royal princes, no-good highwaymen, dancing bears and the possibility that some people may never have to face the consequences of their actions. It's a Newbery Medal winner and an elementary school library favorite.
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_ Here’s a classic tale for beginning readers. It include rhymes, repetition, and simple decoding. _ My boy recently brought it home from school…
and proceeded to read it to me with a British accent. Every day is a new adventure! The comic books of my childhood... are far different from the comic books of today! The 'comics' have given way to 'graphic novels' which include not only the old time classics, but also history reference books, popular fiction, and condensed chapter books. This ever-expanding genre of books provide a great way to ease older struggling-readers into the joy of reading. The content is age appropriate, but the number of words is decreased and picture-clues help with every single line! It's a recipe for success and an effective stepping stone to the expanded book titles that await them.
I have few academic memories of middle school, but a seemingly unlimited number of stories about best-friends-forever who were not, epic drama in the cafeteria, and I-heard-that-she-said-that-he-said whispers in the girls' bathroom. The 6th through 8th grade years are simultaneously fabulous and horrific. It's an exciting time for youth who are finding their own voice, maneuvering a changing body, and trying-on new independence. However, I've considered asking for a sabbatical from parenthood when my own boys reach the middle school years. I may not be strong enough to endure the angst. This delightful book enters the world of middle school girls through two voices. One voice belongs to Colleen Pomerantz, who is sucked into the drama of the resident 'mean girl' while valiantly struggling to remain true to herself. The other voice belongs to Emma-Jean Lazarus, an objective observer to the complicated choices of her tween peers. As an adult, I tend to read between the lines detailing such characters, but as a whole I was impressed that this book offers a wonderfully balanced view of the social maze that middle school girls often travel. There is good (the joy of a BFF and the excitement only expressed through high-pitch squealing) and there is bad (fear of rejection and feeling hopelessly misunderstood). However, in the end all is ok. In the end, you will survive. In the end, things get better.
A bit of humor, a dose of truth, and a subtle underlying mystery -- I highly recommend this book for young girls who can relate to the overall setting. Of course, I don't think my nine-year old son will share my appreciation. I found this 'Emma-Jean Lazarus title' while previewing books for his nightstand. So.....I guess that means it's back to the stacks for me. I'll let you know what I find. My young reader has enjoyed these books as they have repetition of sounds, lovable characters, simple drawings, and kind humor. Most days I put my son in charge of the main text, and I take the speech bubbles of all the characters. It's just one more book series that can help him practice, build confidence, and smile!
An open letter to Author Barbara Robinson: Dear Barbara,
For years our family has enjoyed ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.’ Beth’s clear voice detailing life with the Herdmans is both funny and honest. Claude, Imogene, and Ollie are like no other kids we’ve known and yet poignantly remind us of our very selves. Recently we had the pleasure of reading ‘The Best School Year Ever’ and ‘The Best Halloween Ever’ and to you we say: More! More! More! We want to read more about Leroy. We want to better understand Imogene. We want to know what happens to that one-eyed cat! We want books (and movies) that bring young readers to Beth’s hometown to marvel and gasp at the unending adventure of children who seem bad, and mean, and nasty, and crazy AND ultimately terribly misunderstood. Keep writing Barbara. We want to keep reading! Sincerely, NW Kid Chaser Full disclosure: I have not read the Judy Moody book series. However, I post it here because my nine year-old son happened along this series, devoured the chapter books like chocolate bon-bons, & continuously laughed out-loud while reading. That counts for a gold star in my book. - I do know Judy Moody (the character) is inspired by Nancy Drew to become a girl detective. - I do know that Judy and her brother (otherwise known as Stink) tease, pester, and generally relate to each other just as real siblings do. - I do know that Stink has a series of his own. So…. from someone who hasn’t actually read any of these chapter books, I have to say that from the cackles and the page-turning, I gather that Megan McDonald is the queen of quick, fun fiction. Much loved by my oldest son, these books are now a regular favorite by handsome Obery boy #2. Henry is a young boy who loves adventure. Mudge is a big dog who drools a lot and doesn’t mind being dressed up or climbed on (as long as there are crackers to be eaten afterwards). It’s a match made in heaven. And now, I've discovered the Henry & Mudge 'Ready to Read Level 1' Series which includes the same character, the same author, and the same good fun -- but in a format designed specifically for beginning readers. Ah, Mudge! Good dog! As a beginning reader- some books seem endlessly long. My youngest son often checks the number of pages before selecting the book he will read to me. I choose to take this as a sign that he likes to plan ahead - rather than a sign he’s afraid of commitment, but whatever the motivation.... I often ease the blow of a longer book by offering to share the reading responsibilities. This ‘sharing’ often means reading every other sentence, or paragraph or page.... or character. Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie books are all conversations between the two friends. If the adult takes one friend and the child takes the other – they share the reading.
It’s a great compromise for beginning readers. |
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