NW Kid Chaser

     When researchers ask reluctant readers why they don't read more often, the response is often: "I have nothing to read." Granted, they may say this while sitting in a library with thousands of books at their disposal, but the truth is still the same. Kids (like adults) want to read something that interests them. It's not about the number of books available for your child -  it's the interest level of the books available that really makes the difference.

    While my oldest son is drawn to a variety of topics and genres (and therefore needs little encouragement), my youngest will limit his reading to LEGO and football books for weeks and weeks and weeks unless I intervene. In fact, when introducing a new book, I often have to read a chapter or two  aloud to prove that the new title is worth his effort.

    That's how I introduced my son to "My Side of the Mountain.'  After just one chapter, he slipped the copy out of my hands and retreated to the living room couch. He soon finished the book and requested the sequel. From there - he moved on to the third book in the series... and the movie... and several non-fiction books about falcons, survival, and the outdoors.

      Understanding a child's personality and interests can be the key to encouraging reading development. Have an active boy who loves outdoor adventure? Here's the series to fill the gap.

With multiple adventure series, Smith's book have been in our library bag all winter long. One after another, I keep bringing them home and we keep reading them. I would describe his genre as action adventure, with a sprinkle of mystery, a pinch of nature/animals, and a full dose of pre-teen hero. They make a great read for the 5th-7th grade set. Bonus: Many of the characters jump across the novel series, which means (as a reader) you often feel like you've been reacquainted with an old friend while reading a new book.

With Roland Smith continuing his writing, we'll continuing our reading. His website speaks of school visits, which has me thinking... maybe he'll come to our neck of the woods.

  When her grandchildren come to visit, they slowly learn that country life (outside of Chicago during the depression) is anything but boring. In fact, there are remarkable lessons to be learned if you just stick with Grandma Dowdel and pay close attention.

    Simultaneously the town outcast and the town leader, Grandma Dowdel will remind you what’s important. She’ll keep you humble. She’ll set things right.... and this will all occur when you least expect it.

      While reading these books, I couldn’t help but think of the great-aunts who both boss me around and endlessly love me. As a child, I wasn’t always sure where we were going, but I was happy to follow, because I knew the destination would be unlike anything I had seen before.

    I hope one day, I’ll have my own chance to be a wise (and spirited) grandma. It’d be a great blessing to have a life of love, strength, and a bit of mischief... all for the greater good.

    Fabulous Middle School reading for both boys and girls: Check out Richard Peck's magical writing.

We rarely buy books. With the wonder of the public library - all our needs are covered. However, every blue moon there is a book I recommend for purchase. Here's one such treasure:

   The ongoing 'Origami Yoda' books are a great upper-elementary and middle school read. While we wait for the next release, this book helps readers draw, talk, invent and fold (just as the main characters in the book do). This book has brought an entire week of Star Wars puppetry to our home. I've also been perfecting my translation of 'yoda speak' -Play well, my boys do! Now: Room needs cleaning, it does!"

Expertly woven, each story illustrates the give and take necessary between teacher and student for real learning. Visiting both sides of the fence (and both sides of the desk), readers are guaranteed to think back to their own school days that made a difference.

These books would correspond perfectly to classroom studies of:
Lunch Money = Math & Business
Lost & Found = Twins
The Last Holiday Convert = Music & Band
A Week in the Woods = Outdoor School
Extra Credit= Geography & Current Events
The School Story = Writing

   I have never been a 'gardener'. However, I do love to view other people's work. Our neighborhood has an amazing neighborhood garden that I like to visit in the cool evenings of the summer. I enjoy sitting on the bench (as neighbors talk and kids squeal from the swing) and think about how this once empty lot has now become such a thriving oasis.

Constantly trying to read ahead of my eleven year-old son, I have found one more book to add to my pile of recommendations:
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech.

This Newbery Honor Book will appeal to both boys and girls in upper middle school and beyond. Artfully crafted to unveil the ‘truth’ of each character, the story explores belonging, purpose, personal history, and family entanglements while vividly describing the adventure of a girl, two boys, and three uncles on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

This book is a great mentor text to demonstrate how an author can take one episode and write it from two perspectives.

I recently listed Carl Hiassen's 'Hoot' as a middle-school must-read.
Last month, my eleven year-old and I watched the movie.

A great adaptation of the original novel, I give this film two thumbs-up and would have been comfortable allowing my eight year-old to watch it as well. Great cinematography of Florida's wild life and a heart warming story: a middle school must-see.