A Word About Summer Reading

With summer around the corner and schools opening their doors and releasing the wild hoards of offspring into the communities, I hope you will lasso yours and take them to your local library to indulge in some summer recreational reading.  What I wish to stress here is the word summer and recreational.  Having worked so long in a public library, I was witness to gaggles of kids embracing the fun time of being able to read what they wanted, what they enjoyed. Mysteries, adventures, tall-tales, and fairy tales.  We didn’t care as long as they were continuing to practice and exercise those reading skills. 

Parents!! Nothing will kill the joy of reading quicker than telling your child they must read something classical.  Something of merit, educational.  YUCK!  They get SO much of that nine months out of twelve.  Give them a break and allow them to pick up a graphic novel.  Who cares?  If they are not sitting in front of a television or computer, let them read it.  There are some great authors out there whose works will introduce your child to the wonders of the world through fiction.  Allow them to stretch their imaginations while reading a book of fantasy or science fiction.  (Do you honestly know how many modern contraptions have been developed because of a man who pushed the boundaries of imagination on a little scifi program called Star Trek?)

How many kids have learned how to stand up to bullies by reading Harry Potter?  How many have picked up a biography or non-fiction title because they read one of the Dear Diary series or a Magic Tree House? Summer is a time to rest the brain a little but keep it exercised by reading and exploring realms they don’t see a lot of during regular curricular cramming. 

How about this idea?  Why don’t you grab that bodice ripper, who-done-it or spy adventure and join them on the sofa for some page turning escape time?  Order out for pizza and enjoy.  You’ll be so glad you did.