SEVEN BOOKS FOR YOUR TEENAGER TO READ by Sandy Brannan

Original Post Date: 

Credit To: (therealdealofparenting) https://therealdealofparenting.com/7-books-for-your-teenager-to-read/

SEVEN BOOKS FOR YOUR TEENAGER TO READ

As the parent of a high school student there are a lot of issues to deal with. It can be easy to forget about the importance of reading in the life of your teenager, but this activity can be a way for the two of you to connect. It can also be the perfect opportunity to help your child deal with the unique struggles he or she is facing at this stage of life.

Many of the novels your child enjoyed (or maybe didn’t find the time to enjoy) in middle school are still perfect for him now that he’s a few years older. This is also a great time to introduce your child to the classics, books that he otherwise might not choose to read.

There are more books for your child to discover than he will ever find time to read. I think it’s important that he still reads for the pure joy of it. I hope the rigors of education have not stolen this experience from him. I hope he doesn’t equate reading with book reports or tests. But, even if he does, these final years of high school can be a chance for you to help him rediscover the thrill of reading he experienced so long ago, when books were simply a way to engage his imagination. After all, that’s what books should be for all of us.

SEVEN GREAT BOOKS FOR TEENS

There are many books I could put on this list, but here are seven for your high schooler (and you) to enjoy:

GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens

This story will take your high school student on an adventure where he will fight alongside the characters as they struggle with good versus evil, usually in the form of the characters they will, most likely, recognize from their own life experiences. Great Expectations is an excellent story, but it’s more than that. It allows us to explore different personalities, explore love and what that word means, and explore the struggle to overcome obstacles.

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

Historical fiction is a way to learn about more than just our past. It’s also a chance to think about human nature, including our own. This story, set in WWII, shares the importance of words, the sacrifices of friendship, and how to overcome impossible difficulties. This is an excellent book to read before or with your child as it lends itself to meaningful discussions. And who doesn’t want an excuse to talk to your teenager more often?

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott

Your teenager will quickly identify with the four March sisters as they travel, over the pages of this story, from childhood to adulthood. This time of transition is one your child is experiencing too. Reading Little Women will bring about an appreciation of the way the characters interact with their mother, with those who are less fortunate than them, and with the all-too-familiar friend/love interest. Some things in life never change. This book will help remind your child that those from the past aren’t so different from them and what they are experiencing today.

A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness

This fantasy book deals with the death of a parent. This novel, complete with illustrations, will encourage your child to empathize with others. It also is the perfect choice to explain to him how hope can follow great loss. Although this book would be considered a middle school choice, it is one that your young adult will enjoy as well. This story shares the important message of how life is not free from pain while exploring how it can be overcome.

THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien

This novel will introduce your teenager to complex characters, a quest of heroic dimensions, and growth through adversity. This series, technically only two books, also includes other books from J.R.R. Tolkien which take place in the fantasy world he created for his readers. This story, with elements similar to the fairy tales your teenager is most likely familiar with from his childhood, offers an engaging world for him to get lost in.

HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

There are many popular dystopian novels for your teenager to read, but the Hunger Games trilogy (along with the newly released prequel) is especially hard to put down once the first page of the first book is opened. These stories are more than just a chance for your child to go on an adventure with the characters. They explore the themes of sacrifice, friendship, love, and survival.

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by John Bunyan

This allegory of the life of a Christian will take your teenager on an important journey with the protagonist. While they travel together, your child will experience the obstacles and trials the protagonist, Christian, faces. He will also enjoy triumphs along with Christian as he makes his way toward the Celestial City. At this point in your child’s life, when he is on the very cusp of adulthood and ready to venture out on his own, this book is a good reminder of what life is really all about.

Audiobooks are a great option

The days of taking your child to a story hour at the library are long gone. He most likely no longer asks for money to buy books at his school’s book fair. In fact, reading may not be a subject he discusses with you at all. But this stage in his life is the perfect time for you to open up the world of reading for him. Don’t forget that books don’t have to be made of paper. Audiobooks and ebooks are both great choices for readers of every age. Reading is reading; no matter how it happens.

Read more of Sandy's work on her blog at sandybrannan.com.

SEVEN BOOKS FOR YOUR UPPER ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL READER by Sandy Brannan

Original Post Date: 2.20.2022

Credit To: (therealdealofparenting) https://therealdealofparenting.com/seven-books-for-your-upper-elementary-middle-school-reader/

If you’re the parent of an upper elementary or middle school student, your child is most likely either a bookworm or a reluctant reader. If your child loves to read, this list of books will be a welcome addition to his bookshelf. If your child claims to be a nonreader, this list will provide a variety of options to pique his interest in reading.

When a child has acquired the skills needed to be a successful reader, he needs to be surrounded by books he enjoys, books to keep him interested in reading. There are tons of great books for these young readers to choose from. The trick is to find the ones your child will enjoy, the ones guaranteed to have him reaching for a book daily.

I would caution parents of upper elementary or middle school students to not focus on reading levels. The most important gift you can give your child at this crucial point in his reading journey is to allow him to read what interests him as you present reading as something to enjoy rather than a chore to suffer through. This attitude will go a long way toward helping your child become an adult who reads.

Here are some books for you and your child to consider.

1. HATCHET BY GARY PAULSEN

Hatchet is the first book in Gary Paulsen’s five-book series Brian’s Saga. If your child loves adventure or the outdoors, this book will be compelling. While it deals with real issues such as divorce and survival, readers will enjoy experiencing the main character’s transformation. These books are long enough to deliver an excellent story while being short enough not to overwhelm a reluctant reader.

2. THEODORE BOONE: KID LAWYER BY JOHN GRISHAM

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham is an excellent mystery with a thirteen-year-old protagonist that young readers will be able to relate to. Readers will be drawn into this story as well as the others in this series. These books are well-written, providing plenty of intrigue which will keep the reader turning page after page until he reaches the end of the story.

3. WONDER BY R.J. PALACIO 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is the perfect book for this age group because it deals with the insecurities experienced by most middle school students. This book, through excellent storytelling, gently teaches its reader the importance of kindness and the power of empathy as he reads about the unique struggles of the protagonist.

4. HUNGER GAMES BY SUZANNE COLLINS

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is an exciting book for older students in this age group. Originally released as a trilogy, there is now a fourth book which is a prequel to this futuristic world. Each book will take your child on a dystopian adventure. Its teenage protagonist reveals her true character as she is forced to make tough decisions. This futuristic genre has been widely duplicated, so your child will have plenty of other reading choices once he finishes this trilogy.

5. DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE BY JORDAN SONNENBLICK

 

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick has everything a middle school student enjoys. Your child will read about annoying sibling troubles, friendship issues including a first crush, and the everyday life experienced in a typical middle school setting. What sets this book apart is the changes that takes place in the heart of the protagonist as he experiences his brother’s cancer diagnosis. This book will hold your child’s attention as he gets drawn into the world of this family Sonnenblick has so masterfully created.

6. THE BOOK THIEF BY MARKUS ZUSAK

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the perfect segue to more sophisticated reading material. The size of this book might intimidate most young readers, but more mature children will quickly get drawn into this historical fiction story. Sharing about what life was like for a child who lived through a difficult time in our history, this expertly written novel will open up a world of reading your child may have never experienced before. It would be an excellent book to read at the same time as your child, giving you opportunities for meaningful conversations as the two of you get lost in the same fictitious world.

7. THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the first in the seven-book world created by C.S. Lewis. This series, The Chronicle of Narnia, will take your child through a fantasy world which will share Christianity with your child. This first book takes your reader on an adventure with four siblings who find themselves in a new and exciting world. These books are a perfect way to introduce the excitement of reading a series to your young reader.

There are numerous excellent choices when it comes to helping your child decide which books he wants to read. Please don’t forget about graphic novels which most definitely count as reading. Audiobooks are another great choice for your multi-tasking child or the reader who doesn’t enjoy sitting still while holding a book in his hands.

It’s easy to assume your child will no longer enjoy you reading aloud to him at this age. While he may be too big to climb into your lap for you to read to him these days, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much both of you will enjoy a routine of a chapter a night together.

To learn more about North Carolina author Sandy Brannan visit

https://sandybrannan.com/author-sandy-brannan/

SEVEN BOOKS FOR YOUR EARLY READER by Sandy Brannan

 Original Post Date: 2.23.2022

Credit To: (therealdealofparenting) https://therealdealofparenting.com/7-books-for-your-early-reader/

It can be tempting to want to replace all your child’s toddler books with chapter books once he becomes an early reader. Please don’t. Those familiar stories are still a great way to read with your child as he develops the vast array of skills necessary to become a fluent reader.

It also can be tempting to expect your early reader to know how to read every book you share with him, but reading is actually a series of steps which build upon each other. Your child needs to know his alphabet, learn how to connect sounds to letters (phonemic awareness), and have a solid understanding of phonics before learning to decode CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words, recognize sight words, and learn rules such as short vowels versus long vowels.

The good news is your child doesn’t have to learn it all at once. There’s also a lot of fun to be had while your child masters all he needs to know to become a fluent reader who comprehends what he has read. In fact, keeping the fun in reading is the best gift you can give your child.

There are seven books you need to include on your bookshelf to ensure your child has fun while finding success as an early reader.

1. Wordless books such as A Boy, A Dog, and A Frog by Mercer Mayer are important for your early reader. 

When you share a wordless book with your child, have him look at the pictures as he tells you the story. This encourages the important skills of predicting and making inferences. It also encourages your child to use his imagination.

2. BOB books by Lynn Maslen Kertell are the perfect way to teach and reinforce pre-reading skills as well as early reading skills. 

These mini-books are a just-right fit for your child’s hands, and the short text and simple pictures won’t be overwhelming for your young reader. Whether your child is mastering the alphabet or practicing CVC words, these books are a great choice for your child’s bookshelf.

3. Dr. Seuss books such as The Cat in the Hat are a delightful read for all ages, but beginning readers especially enjoy them. 

The simple text coupled with engaging illustrations are sure to captivate your child as he first listens to you read and later learns to decode the words for himself.

4. Mo Willems books, such as We Are in a Book! featuring Elephant and Piggie, are perfect for introducing the adventures of characters and how their interactions affect the outcome of the story.

These simple stories will make your child laugh as he follows these characters through the beginning, middle, and end of their easy-to-understand plots.

5. Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton and other “I Can Read” books provide your child with a character he will enjoy getting to know. 

With several selections to choose from, your child will want to read them all. The text is designed with the beginning reader in mind, allowing him to use his decoding skills as well as practice the sight words he has learned.

6. National Geographic Readers: Weather, and the other Level One books in this series, are a wonderful way to introduce nonfiction to your young reader.

Children are naturally curious and nonfiction books not only teach your child about the world around him, but they also are a good way to introduce new vocabulary.

7. A great way to introduce chapter books to this age group is the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo. 

These books, including Mercy Watson to the Rescue, have very short chapters with delightful illustrations. Each chapter ends with just enough of a cliffhanger to make your child want to read more without leaving him frustrated.

As you think about which books to buy your child, don’t forget the importance of audiobooks. You can play these while driving in the car or hanging around the house. Listening to these with your child will allow for the opportunity to engage in conversations about the stories which is an important component of critical thinking and comprehension. Listening will also aid your child with his own fluency as a reader.

No matter how many books your child can read on his own, it’s important to still read to your child. Not only will this give you the opportunity to model successful reading, but this time together is priceless as you are making memories you both will cherish.

To learn more about North Carolina author Sandy Brannan, visit 

https://sandybrannan.com/author-sandy-brannan/

THE TOP SEVEN BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ TO YOUR TODDLER by Sandy Brannan

ORIGINAL POST DATE: February 5, 2022

CREDIT TO: TheRealDealofParenting (https://therealdealofparenting.com/the-top-7-books-you-should-read-to-your-toddler/)

Toddlers spend their days soaking in everything about their little worlds. They wake up happy because life is new and exciting to them. You have a wonderful opportunity to introduce the wonder of books to your toddler, but you may be wondering where to start.

There are many excellent books for this age, and I firmly believe toddlers deserve a print-rich environment. Books should be part of their world, whether you have bookcases full of treasured stories in your home or a library tote bag that’s always full of new books for your child to explore.

As you open up this new world for your toddler, expect him to choose favorites, books he’ll want you to read over and over. As you memorize the words on each page, your child is learning too. While he’s enjoying listening to your voice share stories with him, he’s being drawn into a world where his imagination can be free, where he can think about things he’s never known before. His love of learning is being born.

While I have a lot of other books I’d love to encourage you to read to your child, here are seven that I think belong on the bookshelf of every toddler:

LOVE YOU FOREVER BY ROBERT MUNSCH

Snuggled up on your lap while you read to him, your toddler already feels loved. This book puts words to the love between parent and child. It’s lovely pictures and short text will keep your toddler’s attention while the story will most likely make you cry. It’s one of those books that your child will continue to want to hear as he grows, as each year allows him to understand the story better. It’s one you’ll appreciate more as the years go by too.

GOD GAVE US YOU BY LISA T. BERGREN

This is the perfect book to share with your toddler as you help him understand that God is love. The polar bear family will enthrall your toddler as he listens to the message about how special he is, what an important role he plays in his family.

CITY DOG, COUNTRY FROG BY MO WILLEMS

This book carries the reader through each season of the year as well as the seasons of life. The simple text as well as the subdued illustrations will captivate both you and your child as you read about the timeless love between friends. This story is one that will help your child make sense of changes that occur in life, such as the death of a loved one, without veering from the simplicity of the story.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR BY ERIC CARLE

This book is a perfect way to introduce sequencing and counting to your toddler. As you read about the caterpillar’s transformation as he becomes a butterfly, your child will gain an understanding of cause and effect in its simplest form. This classic book, in addition to being an excellent story, is a gorgeous work of art and an excellent way to introduce the beauty of color to your child.

READ-ALOUD RHYMES FOR THE VERY YOUNG BY JACK PRELUTSKY

Poetry is perfect for toddlers. They love the rhythmic music offered by poems and will be immediately drawn to the ones in this book. The silly ones will make them giggle. They’ll find comfort as they read about what is familiar. Some of the poems will help them to learn about the world they live in as they are introduced to new ideas and experiences. All of them are fun.

CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM BY JOHN ARCHAMBAULT

This is a book your child will most likely want to hear again as soon as you read the last page. In addition to being an excellent way to introduce the alphabet to your young learner, this book is fun because it’s impossible to just read it. You’ll find yourself tapping your foot as you, much to the delight of your child, almost sing the words out loud.

DEAR ZOO by ROD CAMPBELL

No list of books for toddlers would be complete without a lift-the-flap book. The thrill of anticipation will simply never get old no matter how many times you read this book to your child. He’ll love discovering the animals on each page while you’ll enjoy seeing his face light up every time he lifts a flap to reveal a new surprise.

~ Reading To Your Toddler Has Many Benefits ~

There are hundreds of books that could easily be added to this list. Reading to a toddler, a little person who can’t yet read to himself, is a huge honor and responsibility. This is an age where your child will learn to associate books with pleasure as you model the importance of literacy to him.

Your child will learn the basics of how to hold a book, how to turn pages, and other tiny details we, as older readers, take for granted. Even though you’re teaching him important skills, that should not be your main focus at this age.

Reading to young children is a way to help them feel secure and loved. It’s a way to share the world with them. It’s the perfect opportunity to show them how we communicate with words. And your child needs to hear a lot of words before the age of three to help his brain develop adequately.

The many wonderful benefits your child will receive from spending time on your lap as you read to him will be extended to you as well. There’s just nothing that can compare with watching a child’s face light up as he discovers what’s on the next page, hearing him giggle in delight as he listens to your voice, and having him ask you to read a story one more time.

Reading is a gift, one meant to be shared with everyone. What an honor to be able to share this gift with your toddler.

Thank you for your continued support and writing contributions Sandy! 

Sandy Brannan, author of Becoming Invisible, So Much Stays Hidden, Masquerade, and Frozen in Time, teaches middle school and high school English. "I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember. I’ve been reading even longer." You can read more of Sandy's work on her blog at sandybrannan.com. 

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