... I have a post up about that this morning at Booklights about this whole issue of pushing kids to read ever more challenging books, with a few links to posts that came out after my previous post. That post went live at 6:00 EST, and since then I've already run across three other thoughtful posts on the topic.
At Bookmuse, Robin Gibson talks about the importance of guiding readers as individuals, and the problems with using the term "above grade level" at all. I like Robin's post, but especially her last point: "And while I do regret children being denied pictures, as some have expressed, what is worse to me is not being read to anymore. Many times the proud parent of a new reader still in one of the early grades will say something like, “now I don’t have to read aloud anymore.” For me, this is the real tragedy. That time spent together, those memories created, the inside jokes that become part of the family — that is indeed a loss."
Author Rick Riordan takes on the topic of kids reading advanced books, saying, among other things: "Growing up is not a race. For one thing, it's sad when kindergartners skip over kindergarten books, because they're missing an awful lot of good, age appropriate literature. For another thing, they won't appreciate the older books as much as they would when they're . . . well, older." He also recommends (which I LOVE), "Rather than the 'five finger' method, I usually suggest something much more time-consuming, but much more accurate. When in doubt, the parent should read the book. If it still seems good for your child, then go for it. Have a family discussion about the content."
[Side note: In case there's any doubt as to why I'm such a fan, Rick is clearly a kindred spirit. On Booklights this morning, completely independently, I said: "The short-term problem is that children can miss books that they would enjoy reading. Books about kids their own age, having relatable experiences. Fun books. Books with pictures! Instead, they can end up reading books before they are ready for them, which often leads to not appreciating the books, and never going back." And of course I have entire posts about parents reading the books that their kids are reading.]
Rick's post was inspired by a post at ShelfTalker by Josie Leavitt about how to handle requests from nine-year-old girls for Twilight. She says: "My fear is twofold -- the first is they are coming to a good book too early and they won't get out of the book what they would if they read it at the right age. The second issue is now that these girls are reading about characters so much older, they won't have patience or the desire to read about children their own age." Josie concludes with a plea for help: "So, how do I, as a bookseller, gently sway parents from buying a book their child is so obviously happy to read, but I feel is far too old? It's a question I've been grappling with, unsuccessfully, for weeks. Any tips would be greatly appreciated." Yeah, she's a kindred spirit, too.
Clearly, this is a topic that a lot of people are struggling with. Perhaps by spreading the word, by talking and asking questions, we can all make a difference.
This could not be more timely for me.
I know that you know my struggle to keep up with my 10 1/2 year old daughter's reading, and my fluctuation between letting her jump ahead (content-wise) or stay on her level. I think I've found a good balance, but even for older kids, I agree that it's important to read about kids their age -- not teenagers.
But the real encouragement came to me because my son is 5 and will be entering K-garten in the fall. He pretty much taught himself to read, so I'm sure he'll be reading well above his age level in these early school years. However, this will be in the back of my mind.
I just recently bought a bunch of Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books, so those are perfect for him right now.
Posted by: Jennifer, Snapshot | June 16, 2009 at 01:54 PM
I have this same problem with children that come into the library. I'm not going to stop them from getting Twilight or Percy Jackson at 8 but I sure do wish they would wait. They would appreciate these books so much more with some years under their belt. Kids just grow up too fast these days!
Still loving your blog and learning so much. Thanks for all your hard work.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 16, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Thanks for commenting, Jennifer and Jennifer.
Jennifer, Snapshot, I'm not worried about this for your kids - you clearly have spent, and will continue to spend, time focusing on keeping them interested in books. I hope that your son likes Elephant and Piggie. I think that they are wonderful books!!
And Jennifer, it must be hard, seeing kids check out books that you know they'll appreciate more later. Maybe you can show them that Rick Riordan post, which talks about the age range for which he wrote the books... OK, probably not. But at least you'll be there with recommendations for other books if/when they do want them. Thanks so much for the positive feedback! Comments like yours keep me finding the time for the blog in the first place.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 16, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Do we have another idea for Share a Story-Shape a Future 2010?
Posted by: Terry Doherty | June 17, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Definitely, Terry. I'm getting some great comments from parents and librarians on this over at Booklights, too.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 17, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Chiming in a little late, but as you would guess, I want in on this great discussion!
Sometimes, kids themselves want to read books that they are not ready for because of their reading ability. Maybe it's the media hype or their best friend has read it, whatever. But they really WANT that book.
Here's what I would do as a teacher or librarian or parent: give it to them. Maybe someone at home can read it to them, maybe they will read it later when their reading matches the level of the text. And meanwhile, I would use the opportunity to hand-sell another book, one of similar genre or plot say, but not so difficult to read. I would explain why they might enjoy this book, tell them the great things about it, stand on my head if necessary to encourage them to have a second (or tenth) book, one they can read independently. And meanwhile, I would hand sell the parents on reading the difficult book aloud so the whole family can enjoy it.
I saw this so much when the Harry Potter books first came out and took the world it seems by storm. They ARE great books, but there are thousands of other great books, and some may be a better match to a child for all sorts of reasons.
Posted by: Book Chook | June 18, 2009 at 03:57 PM
That's an excellent suggestion, Susan. I like it.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 18, 2009 at 04:14 PM
I have a daughter that is 5, and my husband loves to read to her. They have read many of R Dahl's books, E.B. White, and many other chapter books. Being a children's librarian, they constantly ask me to bring things home and look for the next book. I have found myself putting books I select back on the shelf thinking that she will probably like to read them more on her own when she is older! I agree, there is a time and a place to discover good books on your own.
Posted by: Mechelle Bernard | June 18, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Thanks for taking time to comment, Mechelle. Your daughter sounds very lucky - a dad who reads to her, and a mom who looks out for her reading interests, now and in the future. Luckily, there are plenty of wonderful books out there to choose from!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 18, 2009 at 06:24 PM
I've often wished that books came with a "listening age" recommendation. We do a lot of reading aloud in my family. But then maybe this is just another way of saying reading skill level and content-maturity level which is a rather sticky thing to level.
I'm surprised by the comment that Percy Jackson isn't "age appropriate" for an 8 year old? I thought it was classified as middle grade fiction which I thought was around ages 9 - 12 and don't find 8 to be such a stretch that it would bother/concern me [i.e., that I'd feel the need to make more age appropriate recommendations]. (Twilight is another story - literally hah! - and one I can't comment upon since I haven't read it but I do know it's classified as YA and thus the gap is bigger).
I read the entire Percy Jackson series aloud to my nephews - they're 9 and 11 now but the younger was 8 when I started. The older one re-read all the books himself. My 6 year old daughter certainly knows who Percy Jackson et. al are because she pops in and out when I'm reading to her cousins and is just generally aware of the hoopla. I'm sure someone hearing her might assume she's read it and/or had it read specifically to her.
Anyway, I don't know how this age appropriate conversation carries over to reading aloud selections but it seems that it does considering it content appropriateness that is the issue and not reading skill.
Posted by: Kim W | June 19, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Kim, I think that age appropriateness is a bit less of an issue when reading aloud, because the adult can talk about things that come up, and not leave the child wondering. But of course it's still something to think about. Some people pre-read the books before reading them aloud, to get a better sense of what they're in for.
Regarding the Percy Jackson books, there's nothing inappropriate in them for younger kids. But the main characters age from 12 to 16 throughout the series. There are definitely boy-girl interactions, and middle school behavior. Again, nothing inappropriate - it's just not content that a 7-year-old is likely to be particularly interested in, and quite a few of the jokes will likely sail right over younger kids' head. I think that the ideal age for reading those books is more like 10 to 14. Rick Riordan said that he "designed them for the middle grades, roughly ages 9-14".
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 19, 2009 at 09:56 AM
I was one of those kids who read books that were over my head, content-wise. Now I find myself, at 42, wanting to take another swipe at books that I skimmed or abandoned when I was 6. I have memories of reading "The Wizard of Oz" and only vaguely understanding it. This problem doesn't end in elementary school, either. There are books I read in jr. high and high school that I want to dig out and try again. Because of this, I've never been one to focus much on reading levels with my own kids.
Posted by: Dani | June 20, 2009 at 11:21 AM
No harm in going back to read those books now, Dani. But I do know what you mean. I've never gone back and re-read David Copperfield, after reading it in 7th grade. Someday...
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 20, 2009 at 02:23 PM