From: James Elliott <j_c_elliott>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 15:26:45 -0400

Oh, I completely agree. For about a year my wife would try to get my son to read the "Little House" books. I objected on several levels:

1) they were too 'old' for a 9 year old who had trouble reading anyway 2) HE considered them "girl" books 3) he had absolutely NO interest in reading them 4) They were mostly dry, with very little humor to which a young boy could relate 5) he had absolutely NO interest in reading them 6) they were longer than most boys' books for his age group, with bigger words from a by-gone era 7) he had absolutely NO interest in reading them

You get the point. My son was diagnosed with a reading problem and short term memory problems. I suggested time and again shorter, more interesting books, with pirates, adventure, skateboards, etc. She staunchly refused to give in (I have a bit more understanding of why so many kids are reluctant to read the books picked out by their parents -- sorry, but particularly MOM).

Finally, after seeing how he loves these books, she went with me to the Scholastic Book Warehouse sale and let him pick out books he wanted. Now I rarely see him at night without a book in his hands, even books as long as
"Little House" (Harry Potter is on his list, now.)

I fully support starting children out on books that reach them, rather than what we *think* they should be reading. That will come in time.

Jim Elliott Gadsden County Public Library.

P.S. this is not meant to be overly negative of my wife. she has done a great job on homeschooling our son after finding out about his learning disability and the public schools' refusal to help him out (or even initially to have him go for the testing!).

Jim
Received on Mon 27 Jun 2005 02:26:45 PM CDT