How to Banish the Reading Doldrums

If you're bored when you're reading, my friend, you're holding the wrong book.

If it's your economics textbook, sorry. I can't offer much help on that front.

But if you (or your kids) are looking for a book that really grabs your interest and doesn't let go, let me suggest... fantasy. I heard that groan.

I'll be honest, fantasy isn't my favorite thing to read, and I've known other reading snobs who considered themselves above that particular section of shelves until a certain title changed their minds.

The much-maligned genre suffers from one-bad-apple syndrome, I think. Let's face it, "campy" hits like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes are campy because, frankly, they're really, really bad. That said, there are plenty of excellent fantasy books to be read. Some are enjoyable for adults as well as kids. (Remember that series about a boy wizard?)

Here, a few titles that might change your mind about fantasy and convince you to dive into a (slightly) different world:
The Phantom Tollbooth  - a splendid read-together book, for children 3rd grade and up*
A Wrinkle in Time  - 3d grade and up
Timeline and Diana Galbadon's great Outlander series are for adults, only, really.
Dr. Who  fans would certainly take me to task if I failed to mention them. (So, there.)

What fantasy title(s) have you liked, in spite of yourself? I'd love to hear about it.

~Diane Stresing

* Writers, you must read the NPR interview with Norman Juster. And if you're looking to bump up your child's vocabulary, head straight for the Tollbooth. 

Help for struggling new readers (or over-achievers)

Got kids who need a little help with reading? Try some of the suggestions you'll find at Starfall. The site was launched thanks to a former reluctant reader and so effective it made the education section of Time magazine's current  50 best websites list. Visit the site to find free (yes, free!) fun and games and a good shot at reading improvement. Recommended for K-2nd graders.

Got over-achieving readers? You know - the 4th-grader who can handle any adult title, but maybe not the context? Librarians can be your best source of recommendations. Don't overlook those "older" titles, like The Phantom Toll Booth and Stuart Little. Vocabularies have changed a bit over the past few decades - enough to slow down a young (eager) reader and to teach a few new words along the way.

They'll thank you when it's time to take the SAT.
 

Wiser Wednesday: Reading games

After flirting with Angry Birds and declaring a truce with Draw Something, I've returned to my old addiction: word games. Lately I've been spending a little (too much) time with Word Dynamo.

Time to 'fess up: where RU wasting your reading time these days?


---- oh and PS, get your kids addicted and I'll betcha they get better SAT scores (you're welcome) ---

Wiser Wednesday

If you enjoyed my Matriculate Monday series, you might like this, too:

Definition a Day quiz from Vocabula.com

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Link not working? Here:
http://www.vocabula.com/quiz/showDOTD.aspx