If you’re tired of constantly hearing that kids don’t like to read anymore (and if, like me, you have trouble believing it) you’ll be gratified to see this story in Newsweek . Kids are reading, it appears.
In fact, if Newsweek got it right, they’re reading novels in record numbers – and it’s not just Harry Potter. The article cites the large number of high-quality books available to young readers today as one of the reasons for the interest in reading.
Then, if you’re wondering exactly what the kid will be enjoying this summer, Book Sense has just released its list of summer picks for children. It’s hard not to like a list that offers both a new Jeanne Birdsall and a last novel from Madeleine L’Engle!
1. Kay Powers | 05.18.08
My 12-year-old daughter eats books by the handful every week. Her friends are enthusiastic about mother/daughter book clubs. It’s a terrific trend to watch as a parent! I just finished an advance reader copy of THE ADVENTUROUS DEEDS OF DEADWOOD JONES by Helen Hemphill. I think this historical fiction inspired by real-life African-American cowboy Nat Love will capture the imagination of those tough to reach middle-school boys this fall. Unfortunately it won’t be in book stores until November, but I think we’ll see some schools using it to entice boys to get excited about history and reading. As for my daughter, if it has printed pages she’s all over it. I just gave her LOOKING FOR SALVATION AT THE DAIRY QUEEN by Susan Gregg Gilmore and she read it in less than 48 hours even though it isn’t a YA book. Another trend I like is that YouTube is posting book trailers for YA books. Helen Hemphill’s book is already up there and it hasn’t even been released yet.