Can You Have Too Many Books?

I'm part of a local mommy's group on Facebook.  I'm not super active there, but there's a question that pops up fairly regularly that I always like to put on my librarian hat to answer:



Q:  What is a thoughtful, fairly inexpensive gift that I can get for X Child who is X Years Old?  S/he already has everything, so I'm looking for a really interesting/unique idea.

My answer is always something along these lines:

A:  When in doubt, I love to give books!  You truly cannot have too many of them, you have lots of options to choose from (but you also really can't choose wrong), plus they promote learning / early literacy / parent-child bonding.  Board books and paperback  books are also fairly inexpensive, most costing under $10.  You really can't go wrong!



Occasionally someone will respond to my comment with the following counter-arguments.  While these are fair concerns, I think that it's really important for me to provide a few counter-counter-arguments.
 
I usually present this first answer in much shorter form with a more focused information depending on the situation, but here on this blog it makes sense to elaborate a bit more deeply:



CA:  But they already have SO MANY BOOKS!  I don't wan to give them more and add to the clutter.

CCA:  Oh, honey.  That's sweet of you to care about the trouble of having books strewn all over the living room floor.  And I get it.  I also have a very young child who owns a fairly obscene number of books.  And yes, I do occasionally mutter to myself about the clutter.  But really and truly:  You can't have too many books!  

I have observed, both from my own experience and the experiences of friends/colleagues as well as documented research (links below), that the more books a child has in their house, the more they read and the greater their future successes will likely be.  The books will not sit stagnant on the shelf.  They will be read if they are in the house and easily accessible.  It might seem like they have "enough" or "too many" books on the outside, but I can assure you that if you're seeing the books well enough to make this observation, you can be confident that they're being read.  A few more will only help this child love reading more, and that to me is more than worth a little bit of clutter.

Is the child very young and still being read to?  If so, I can all but guarantee that Mom and Dad are bored to death with most of the books already in their house, no matter how many they have and how wonderful they are.  A personal anecdote to illustrate this:  My 1.5-year-old daughter has about 75 board books.  It's a pretty ridiculous number; more than most people have.  But it only takes about two minutes to get through each one and because we have lots of books that are easily accessible, my daughter loves reading them and we go through a big stack every day.  It doesn't take very long for us to start repeating books, even with this large number to start with, and when we start repeating too often Mom and Dad get bored. Something new and clean and fresh will always be a welcome addition to the routine.

Is the child older?  Are they voracious readers?  If so, the same rule applies; The more, the better.  The books that you give will get read.  Are they more reluctant readers?  Then it's all the more important to give books, perhaps in a different genre or style than they are used to, in the hopes that you might help this child discover something new and exciting.  Most reluctant readers are reluctant simply because they haven't found That Book that sparks something with them.  They need a little nudge to find That Book.  They will only find That Book if people give them books.

Finally, the one or two books that you give are also not going to really going to add that much more clutter if they already have tons of books.  Mom and Dad find a way to make room on the shelf or in the storage basket.  They will continue to do so until the bookshelf collapses, at which point they will either do some housekeeping or buy an extra bookshelf.  Either way, it's not your job to worry about the clutter.  It's your job as the gift-giver to give a really nice gift, and books are great gifts.

A few links to interesting articles on the subject of having books in the home, both of which relate to the same study:
Pacific Standard
Education World



CA:  I just gave this child books at his/her last birthday / Christmas / Easter / other occasion.  Wasn't that enough?  I'd hate to be repetitive.

CCA:  Again, don't stress out about this.  As long as you give a different book, it won't be the exact same thing because each book provides a different reading experience.

Did you give them a book about dinosaurs at the last gift giving occasion?  Then give a book about colors or farm animals or outer space this time.  Variety is always good.

If you think an older child would be up to it, try giving books from a different genre than their usual to mix things up a bit, for example, giving something historical or a mystery to an avid reader of fantasy.  Alternatively, introduce them to a new, up-and-coming author in their favorite genre, or an older, classic series that they may not be aware of.

Don't forget about nonfiction too!  Has the child recently expressed an interest in anything at all - maybe sports, current events, opossums, the latest video game, or science?  I can all but guarantee that there's a book about that.  Find one to give as your gift to help the child further explore their new passion.

Most kids, especially those who love reading, will be happy to have more to read and explore.  More reluctant readers will hopefully be drawn to new subject matter.  The more books, the better!

Passionate Reading

Today I visited the 6th grade classrooms at our local school to talk about the Summer Reading Program.  After giving my spiel, a boy raised his with a question which resulted in the following dialogue:

"So I can read any book that I want this summer and it counts?"
"Yup, you can read absolutely anything you want."
"So if I want I can read medical textbooks?"
"Yes, you can read anything you want."
"YES!  I can read medical books!"

No sarcasm.  This kid apparently actually has a passionate interest in the medical.

This brings up a great point to remember about summer reading:  Part of the beauty of summer break is that kids no longer have teachers breathing down their necks to do specific kinds of work.  Summer is a great chance for kids to take a break from scheduled learning and instead focus on whatever it is that they are passionate about.  They can reread their favorite books for the hundredth time.  They can learn to juggle.  They can read about zombies or LEGOs.  They can learn even more about something cool they learned in school, or they can learn about something cool that their teacher doesn't have the time or ability to teach them.  Summer is a time when kids can become experts about whatever it is they like with no questions asked.

How cool is that?

So parents, it's okay to let your kid relax a bit this summer.  Let them dictate how their reading time is spent.  As long as they do at least some reading, they'll be the better off for being able to take some ownership of the effort.

Don't Discount YA Literature, Part III: Books to Try

I've spent some time lately talking about books written for teens and the ways that adult readers might come to these books with some inherent prejudices.  In fact I've written two different posts on the subject (see links at the bottom of this post).

Having these sorts of inherent prejudices against books written for this age group is problematic.  There is no reason at all why Young Adult books would not be as well-written as those written for adults.  In fact, I would imagine that, when looked at by percentages, there are just as many amazing books for teens as there are for adults!

I like to think that those adults who have such low expectations of Young Adult books just have not yet stumbled upon that one amazing YA read that makes them want to explore more of the genre.  I strongly believe that just about any YA book can be enjoyed by just about any open-minded adult reader.  If you're an adult looking for the best of the best in the genre here are a few books that might get you hooked on YA:


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie is a high school freshman and he's not particularly popular.  As he writes letters to a "friend" describing his difficult life, he finds himself taken in by a few gregarious seniors and, with their help, navigates his way through a host of new experiences including sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A powerful novel that is deeper than the sum of its parts.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Mattie is a girl with big dreams of going to college, but given her farming family's needs and low expectations that typified 1906, she has little hope of seeing them come true.  Mattie is able to take a job at the Glenmore Hotel and hopes to set aside her earnings, but an unusual request from one of the hotel's patrons leads to a mystery that Mattie never expected.  A historic setting, a true crime murder mystery, lyrical writing, and solid characters come together to create an absorbing read.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
See what all the fuss is about by checking out this book about two teens with terminal illnesses who fall in love while trying to uncover the ending of one of their favorite books.  The book will make you laugh at cry at the same time.  Is the hold list too long for your liking?  I'd actually strongly recommend any book by this widely popular author, so try Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, or Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Bobby is your typical teenage boy in Harlem.  When his girlfriend announces that she is pregnant, the two of them suddenly find themselves faced with decisions that they never thought they'd need to make. Angela Johnson's writing is poetic and lovely to read and transforms this premise from obvious to amazing.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
Sam is an unassuming young adult working a dead-end fast food job.  Then one evening Douglas, a creepy and violent necromancer, wanders into the restaurant and sees plenty of potential in Sam.  That's when things start to get interesting.  This supernatural story is full of both humor and gore, and while this genre is stereotypically enjoyed by teens, adult fans of the genre will find plenty to like here.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
The two title characters meet when they find themselves sitting together on the bus, and they soon bond - and eventually fall in love - over Park's comics.  But everyone knows that first love doesn't usually last, and soon Eleanor's troubled home life threatens to tear the two apart.  Author Rainbow Rowell's voice is like a breath of fresh air as you read.  I also highly recommend another of Rowell's books, Fangirl.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Karou, an art student in Prague with fantastic blue hair, fills her sketchbooks with incredible monsters.  Little does anyone know that these monsters are real.  Karou has grown up with these chimera and is a part of their lives, traveling the world on mysterious errands to retrieve teeth for Brimstone, the monster who fills the role of her father.  Yet Karou has always felt that something was missing from her life  When the magical doors that allow for her travel are suddenly destroyed and her chimera family is killed, Karou just might find the answers she is looking for from the beautiful angel Akiva.  This fantastic novel is one part globe-trotting modern fantasy and one part heart-pounding romance, written with a grace and maturity that will make this book plenty palatable to adult readers.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Verity is a spy who finds herself captured by the Gestapo and Nazi-occupied France.  Her captors present her with two options:  Tell them what her mission was, or suffer the consequences.  She composes her story on scraps of paper, telling an intricate tale of courage, hope and friendship.  Meanwhile her best friend Maddie, who was also the pilot of the plane whose crash lead to Verity's capture, hopes to rescue her friend before it is too late.  This is a powerful story that sneaks up on a reader slowly.

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Matt and his sisters are deeply unhappy as they try to survive under the tyranny of their abusive mother.  Matt sees a glimmer of hope when their mother begins dating Murdoch, an upstanding man that Matt hopes can save them.  But will it be enough?  Or will Matt need to take a stand on his own?  Readers will find themselves rooting for Matt and his sisters as they try their best to pick up the pieces of their lives.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Narrated by Death himself, this book set in Nazi Germany tells the story of a girl, her foster family, a Jew, and a love of books.  The unique narration (Death as the comic relief in an otherwise heavy story) makes an otherwise awesome book truly stand out in the crowd.


See Also:  Don't Discount YA Literature
See also:  DDYL, Part II:  The Dos and Don'ts of Criticism

Don't Discount YA Literature, Part II: The Dos and Don'ts of Criticism

Last week I talked about a certain amount of prejudice that seems to exist in the minds of many adult readers when it comes to books written for teens.  My complaint is that many adult readers of YA novels seem to either expect that the book will be flawed, or will readily excuse any flaws in the novel because of the target audience.

I will admit that not every YA book is a masterpiece.  There will be books out there that do have their problems, and it's perfectly acceptable for a reader to voice their criticisms of the novel.  However, we can very rarely can we chalk these flaws up simply to the book's target audience.  It is important instead for readers to really think about and be able to define exactly what a book's problem's are when reviewing, discussing, or otherwise critiquing a YA (or any other) novel.  This way they will not fall into the trap of immediately placing blame for a book's inadequacies on the perceived target audience.

Here are a few common critiques that I have seen made of YA books by adult readers.  I will be attempting to define what is or is not productive about such comments and, if needed, explore alternative ways to more concretely express dissatisfaction with a novel:

"This book had its problems, but it's a YA novel so I kind of expected it."
Should you be making this comment:  I hope not!  I'm very sorry if you've had bad experiences with YA novels in the past, but please do not assume that all YA novels are poorly written.  They're not.
Better ways to deal with this reaction:  Unfortunately, there might not be a better way of expressing this type of reaction.  But exactly why is it that you have such low expectations for this kind of book?  If you find yourself making this comment frequently then it might be time for you to try some different YA novels.  More on that to come in a future post.

"I was willing to let a few things go with this novel because it's a YA book."
Should you be making this comment:  NO!  It's perfectly fine if you decide to let a few minor flaws go with a book.  Readers of all kinds - myself included - do this all the time.  What is not okay with this kind of comment is the implied assumption that all YA novels will have problems or that it's somehow more acceptable for books written for teens to have these problems.
Better ways to deal with this reaction:  "This book wasn't perfect, but I was willing to let the flaws go.  Here are the flaws.  Also, here are the things that I did like that really made this book work for me."

"Ugh, teenagers are so annoying.  I hated the characters."
Should you be making this comment:  NO!  Teenagers as a whole should not grate on your nerves because no two teens - or teen characters in novels - are alike.  This sort of broad generalization is a bit unfair to an entire demographic of very real people and fictional characters.  It's fine if you didn't like the characters in one particular book.  That happens.  What's not okay is blindly assuming that all teen book characters are terrible.
Better ways to deal with this reaction:  "I did not care for the characters in this book.  Here's why."

"This book was nothing but teen angst."
Should you be making this comment:  Probably not.  Do you know what "angst" really is?  It basically means that the character has an emotional situation that needs dealing with that is causing him/her some sort of duress, and it not exclusive to teenagers.  Conflicts like this exist in books written for all ages, not just YA novels, and these sorts of concerns are necessary to drive the plot and create an interesting book.  As with anything else there will be situations where angst is over or poorly used, but if you really try to put yourself in the character's shoes you'll see that most of the time their concerns have real foundation.
Better ways to deal with this reaction:  Just be careful not to throw the word "angst" out there too readily.  It's an apt word in some cases, but the phrase "teen angst" has such a negative connotation that it should not be used lightly.  Try to understand the source of the "angst" before you critique it too harshly - a little understanding can make a situation seem more like "conflict" than "angst."

"I'm not a teenager, so I couldn't identify with the characters/plot/setting of this YA novel."
Should you be making this comment:  I hope not!  The vast majority of the conflicts and issues that teen characters are dealing with in YA novels actually apply to the adult world too - relationship woes, conflicts with family, dissatisfaction with the society we live in, trying to find one's place int he world, bullying, violence...the list goes on.  Admittedly, a teenage character lacks the life experience that, say, a 40-year-old adult has when dealing with some of these problems, so they might go about it differently.  This is an opportunity for the reader to really put on their empathy shoes and try to explore something that is unfamiliar.  This should be exciting, not alienating.
Better ways to deal with this reaction:  Before responding this way to a book, reflect on the situation that you had trouble identifying with.  Really flex those empathy muscles and make an honest effort to try to understand whatever it is that initially seems so foreign to you.  If you still feel alienated, then that's fine.  It'll happen.  But please keep an open mind and be open to discussion with someone who was better able to identify with the book.

The moral of the story:  Be thoughtful.  Be empathetic.  Be open minded.  If you've done all of these things and still find yourself unsatisfied with a book then that's fine.  You don't have to like everything.  But please make a sincere effort to try.

See also:  Don't Discount YA Literature
See also:  DDYL, Part III:  Books to Try

Don't Discount YA Literature

One of my greatest pet peeves of all time is when an adult has read a Young Adult novel and makes a comment something to this effect:

"This book had its problems, but it was a YA book so I didn't mind."

Or alternatively:

"It's a YA book, so I expected this book to not be awesome."

I think that this attitude is a real problem.  It makes me sad that so many adults out there have lower expectations of books that are written and marketed for a teen audience than they do for book that are marketed for adults.  I can't even imagine what the cause of this prejudice might be.

Is it because at one point in the not-to-distant past a series of books about sparkly vampires (or who who knows what other topic) turned them off from the genre?  But it hardly seems fair to judge an entire body of literature based on a few bad experiences.  Do we discount novels written for adults because we once read a book that we didn't care for?  I don't think so.

Is it because people have lower expectations of teenagers, and therefore have lower expectations of books that are written and published with them in mind?  Let me answer that question with another question:  Have you spoken to a 14-year-old recently?  I have - it's my job, after all - and most teens that I've spoken to are able to define what they do and do not like about certain books.  Teens know what they want, and they know how to pick out the good books from the bad ones.  Teens, like their books, will certainly surprise you with what they are capable of doing an enjoying.  Besides, teens are very rarely the ones creating YA books; they are written and published by adults.  YA is not the market where B-list authors and publishers are banished to when they can't hack it in the adult market.  In fact, many authors will admit that they didn't quite realize that they had written a YA book until their publisher defined it as such.  These creators are incredibly talented people who work hard at their craft and who should be held to the same standards as the authors of adult materials.

Is it because when today's adults were teens, the market for YA books was vastly different than it is today?  Perhaps, but consider the realities of the changing publishing world.  Could you not find a good book to read at your library when you were a teenager?  Maybe not because when you were a teen the market for YA books was much, much smaller than it is today - perhaps even non-existent depending on your age - so it was less likely for there to be a book on the shelf that suited your particular tastes.  The market for YA books has grown vastly over the course of the past 15 years or so, and this means that the demand for quality material has also increased.  The creation of the Michael L. Printz award in 2000 also encouraged publishers to increase the quality of the YA books published, and they have certainly responded in kind.  Don't assume that because you were not happy with the available books during your teen days that today's readers will have a similar problem.

When it comes down to it, there are lots and lots of amazing books written for teens out there being published today.  Adults should take notice!  Don't feel guilty about picking up a novel with a YA sticker on it, because even though it's marketed for a younger audience it's probably awesome.

Admittedly, not every YA book is brilliant.  There are sub-par books out there.  But there are also lots of sub-par books out there written and marketed for an adult audience.  We really need to hold books written for both markets to the same standards and not make snap judgments about books written for teens because of whatever prejudices we may have.  Literature is literature no matter who the publisher's target audience might be.  Go out there and enjoy it.



I have more to say on this subject, but I think that I'll save these thoughts for another post.  Look for more soon!  In the meantime, check out this article, or this article, both of which also do a fantastic job of talking about the awesome YA lit that is out there and why adults should not automatically discount it.

See also:  DDYL, Part II: The Dos and Don'ts of Criticism
See also:  DDYL, Part III:  Books to Try

Tell Me About Your Picture

When I was a kid, I was really into the Baby-Sitters Club books. I read them obsessively. Maybe my reading horizons weren't exactly broad as a child, but I've recently been able to apply a valuable lesson in childcare learned from these books to my work at the library.

Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and company were always very careful in their phrasing when taking care of their baby-sitting charges. When a kid drew a picture that, to the baby-sitter, just looked like a bunch of scribbles they would always ask the child to "tell me about your picture" rather than asking what the picture was. Author Ann M. Martin explained that asking a child what their picture is could be potentially offensive. After all, it's probably obvious to the artist what he/she has drawn, so why can't everyone else see it? "Tell me about your picture" can be a gentler, more productive way of talking about artwork that doesn't imply that the artist isn't good at drawing, and in my mind it is also a better frame for opening an extended dialogue about the picture's subject.

How does this relate to what I do at the library? During the summer months we have an activity table with different small projects available for kids to try. This week we are asking kids to draw a picture showing a dream that they have had. When the child brings their artwork to the children's desk and shows it to us, they earn an extra raffle ticket that they can use to enter our big end-of-summer drawing for prizes. This week I've looked at about 200 drawings - many of which are easily interpreted, but many more of which make a lot more sense with a little explanation. Needless to say, I've been putting Ann M. Martin's advice to good use this week!


The interesting thing that I have noticed is that it's even beneficial to use use the phrase "tell me about your picture" with older children who draw very well. This week I have often found that the story behind the finished picture is actually a lot more complicated than the image implies. It's great to hear kids of all ages talking about their inspiration and to hear the details of their sleeping and waking dreams.

So thank you, Ann M. Martin, for your sound advice. It's amazing what little details from books will stick with you!

Unattended Children

Dear Parents of Young Children:

Thank you for bringing your children to the library. You are doing both your children and yourselves a great service by taking advantage of the books, movies, magazines, and computer access that the library has to offer. I am truly glad that you are here.

I understand that it can be difficult to pry your offspring away from the children's area. I can also empathize with your desire to simply spend 60 seconds alone in the adult section or at your car to quickly find what you need without youthful interruption. Unfortunately, neither of these circumstances qualifies as a good reason to leave your children alone in the library.

Let's get one thing clear: I am not a baby-sitter. I am paid to manage the library's children's collection, not to manage the children themselves. It's not that I don't love your kids - I'm sure they're great. But I have work to do that doesn't involve making sure that your children remain calm in your absence.

When you waltz past the children's desk and casually comment that you'll be back from the car / bathroom / circulation desk / adult area very soon, you probably don't think much of it. If you do stop to think, you probably imagine that you are doing your children a favor by making another responsible adult aware of your absence just in case. But if you know that your children might need a grown-up's attention while you are off doing who-knows-what (even if only for a moment or two!), then why are you leaving them with me, a virtual stranger who has other things to worry about?

Your 30-second detour has now turned into a 3-minute discussion of the library's unattended children policy. By the end of it, neither of us is happy. Please spare both of us this awkward conversation and remember that the library is a public place. Anything could happen to your children. If you are even remotely concerned that your children will need an adult to guard their happiness and/or safety please make sure that you are supervising them at all time. I'm sorry, but I cannot do it for you. I have programs to plan, books to order and catalog, publicity to create, and a half-dozen other patrons in the room who need my assistance.

If you really and truly do think that your children will be fine alone for a minute and you are willing to take the risk, then do us both a favor. Just don't tell me that you're leaving them alone.* Spare us the conversation about library policy. If your kids are well-behaved I probably won't notice that you're gone if you come back quickly (remember, I'm very busy). Just make sure that your children know exactly where you are going to be and how to find you if they need you. Empower your children to take care of themselves so that you will not feel compelled to ask me to take care of them for you. That's all I ask.

Sincerely,

Your Children's Librarian (NOT Your Baby-Sitter)



*Disclaimer: I do not officially condone this course of action due to the potential liability issues at stake here. I do admit however that it is - with the right family as determined on a strict case-by-case basis - not the end of the world if they children know what to expect and how to deal with it.

Lexile

I do not like Lexile reading levels. As a librarian they do nothing but frustrate me. Why? Because I feel that a focus on a tested reading level inhibits, rather than helps, the reading process for kids.

The Lexile is a magical number that is supposed to help match kids with books that are at exactly the right reading level for them. If, for example, your child has a Lexile rating of 800L you can take comfort that any book with a Lexile rating of 800 will be "just right" for him/her. However, Lexile ratings need to be taken with a very sizable grain of salt.

The most important thing to consider is that Lexile ratings for books do not take into account the content of a book, its style, or its format. Instead, Lexile considers other factors when determining how difficult a book is to read: Sentence length and word frequency. While I think we can all agree that these two factors are important things to consider when searching for the perfect book, they're not the only things that matter.

Let's look at a couple of examples of deceptive Lexile ratings:

Consider these two books: Changes for Addy (an American Girl book - I usually give these to kids in grades 2-5) and The Lightning Thief (a Percy Jackson book - I usually give this series to kids in grades 5-10). Which would you guess is the more challenging book? If you were to guess The Lightning Thief, you'd be wrong. While this book has a Lexile rating of 740L, Changes for Addy has a Lexile of 760L. Not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but it's significant when you consider the age of the child that each of these books targets.

Interestingly enough: May of the other books in the Percy Jackson series have significantly lower Lexile ratings than The Lightning Thief. So am I supposed to tell a 12-year-old coming to the library that his Lexile matches up with The Lightning Thief and that it's such a great book and he'd really like it...but uh oh! His teacher won't want him to read the sequels because they're way below his Lexile level and are therefore "too easy."

What about the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series? Heavy with cartoon illustrations, this has been the go-to series for reluctant readers everywhere since it was first published in 2007. You'd think that these books would be fairly easy to read, given how quickly most kids tear through them. But a look at the Lexile ratings for the series shows that these books are - in theory - quite challenging with Lexile ratings ranging from 950L-1060L!

As a librarian, it is very painful for me to watch some children and parents struggle with Lexile. Though the Lexile website includes lots of information on how to use Lexile ratings and specifically encourages users to take other factors into consideration, the fact is that all of this is forgotten by the time infomation on this system is passed down from the Lexile company to the teachers to the students to their parents. In the end what most kids/parents hear when their teachers talk about Lexile is that, "I have to read books in this Lexile range or they're not good books for me." And that's just not true! It's hard to watch kids struggle to fine the perfect book under a system that doesn't take their interests or maturity level into consideration.

So parents, if your child comes home from school with a Lexile rating, please don't take it too seriously. Your child did not become a good reader by reading really hard books. He will not become a better reader by reading books with a magical Lexile number. The fact is that kids become good readers by reading a lot, no matter what kind of reading it is. Kids read a lot when they learn that reading can be fun, and it's very hard to develop a love of reading when your teachers put all of these restrictions on the books that you select. There is so much more to finding the perfect book than a number that evaluates word usage. So please, let the Lexile go and help your child find books that he will enjoy so that reading becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.

To Be a Good Reader

Not too long ago a dad came in to the library looking for ideas on how to help his teenage daughter with her reading. He wanted books with ideas for parents and teachers to help him with the instruction he was planning on giving her; books that would tell him what kinds of flashcards to make and with worksheets for her to complete. And while I was able to help him find what he was looking for, I felt compelled to remind this well-intentioned father of what I think is the most important part of becoming a good reader:

Reading. Plain and simple. In order to be a good reader, you have to actually read.

It might not be enough to just do the reading assigned in school. To be a strong reader, kids need to read on their own too, just for fun. They need to find books that they enjoy so they learn that reading isn't a chore.

The more you read, the easier reading becomes. Make sure that there are books in your house available for your kids to enjoy at all times. If you don't want to buy books (and even if you do!) make sure that your children have library cards so that they have free access too all of the books on the library's shelves. And then be sure that you actually take your kids to the library, and let the librarian help them find great books to read.

The father in question here actually seemed surprised when I told him all of this. I told him to bring his daughter to the library soon, and that I would be happy to help her find something to read. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we see the two of them again soon.



*I just want to throw in a small disclaimer here. Reading exercises and formal instruction can also be a great help to struggling readers, and it's a whole different ball game when a learning disability is involved. I just think that you can't at all discount the importance of books and reading for fun as a part of a child's development as a reader.

Too Hard?

Just the other day I observed a young boy (about 6 or 7 years old) and his mother at the library. The boy came over to show his mom a book that he had selected about something military related. It was clearly a topic that he was excited about so he was eager to check the book out. But then his mother asked him to put the book back. Why? It was "too hard" of a read for her young son. She told her son that there were too many words on each page, certainly too many words that he didn't know, and not enough pictures to hold his interest.

Part of me thinks that this mom was doing her son a favor by encouraging him to select books that he could actually read himself and enjoy. It's definitely true that a book that is too challenging can be discouraging for readers. We really don't want kids to get so frustrated while reading that they stop enjoying books altogether.

But part of me wonders where telling kids, "no, that's too hard" stops being helpful and starts being harmful. We don't want to teach our children not to try something because it seems hard. Instead, we should be encouraging children to work hard to overcome the challenges set before them, especially when it involves a subject that they are passionate about.

So where should parents, teachers, and librarians draw the line? Are there appropriate times and places for both possible scenarios? Is there a way for them to meet somewhere in the middle? It's a tough call, and I unfortunately don't have any easy answers. If anyone out there has experience, education, or otherwise strong feelings on the subject I'd love to hear from you to discuss this topic.

The Value of Classic and Award-Winning Books

I've seen it happen many times before: A parent comes to the library and asks for help in finding some good, "classic" books for their child to read. This parent is very well-intentioned, and I give the parent a lot of credit for wanting his/her child to read high-quality books. But "classics" or even award-winners aren't always the answer. There are lots of other things to consider when selecting books for your children. This issue came up not too long ago when I was talking with a relative of mine, and I went on a bit of a tirade that I'd really like to share:



Just because a book is old doesn't mean it's good. And just because a book is new doesn't mean it can't be amazing. The thing to keep in mind too is that things change over time: Writing styles have evolved and changed, children's expectations of books have changed, society's values as a whole have changed, and our collective understanding of child development and children's needs has changed. This means that in 2009, children will not react the same way to certain "classic" books as they would have in 1959 or in 1909.

There's also the issue of children's interests. Fact: If you want your child to love reading, they need to read books that they love. Believe it or not, your child might not love Swiss Family Robinson or Tom Sawyer. Or maybe they do. But there are very few children who will like reading every single book an any given recommended reading list. That's just the way it is, and there's nothing wrong with that. Now in school, since there are certain lessons that need to be taught and a teacher can't cater to every child in his/her classroom, a child will inevitably be forced to read something that is not of interest. But that's the exception to the rule. And a teacher should always try to find the book that will get the lesson across AND appeal to the most kids because otherwise that lesson is going to be lost an a class full of kids. For recreational reading, kids should ALWAYS have some say in what they're going to be reading or it's not going to be fun anymore and they will learn to dislike reading.

Fact: Just because a book is "classic" or has won an award doesn't mean that children will love it. See above for the rant about why classics could potentially no longer be appealing.

Awards are another sticky issue, especially with the much-beloved Newbery Medal. This award is given annually by a committee of librarians to the most distinguished work of literature for children. However, the fact remains that these grown-ups are recognizing literary merit and quality of writing. Yes, this means that the books that win this award will certainly have excellent, or at least interesting/unique writing. But sometimes the topics of these books, or even the very style that is being recognized, is difficult or even unappealing to kids. Many (including myself) have criticized the Newbery for picking books very appealing to adults, but that don't always resonate with children. There are plenty of great award winners that I would definitely recommend to most children, but there are also plenty that just make you want to roll your eyes.

There is plenty of value to be found in any book. Even if the writing isn't award-worthy, and even if it's subject matter is "fluffy," every book has an opportunity to influence a child positively. Maybe loving a book will simply help a child learn to love reading and inspire him/her to find other books. Maybe the subject matter is teachable and discussable - I feel that this is always the case if you just look hard enough. No, not every book is brilliant. But there are plenty of solid, usable, teachable books out there that aren't on classic or award-winning reading lists. And I'm not saying that you shouldn't read classic or award-winning books either - there are plenty of amazing ones out there that will probably appeal to your child. Just think about why you're giving this to your child to read first.

Cute Kid Quotes

Here are a couple of really great/adorable/hilarious things that I heard come out of the mouths of children at the library this week:

"Excuse me, but do you have any books here?"

"I have to wait until I grow up, and then I can learn to write my name."



Meanwhile, our Summer Reading Program has officially begun! My library has been very busy getting kids registered, and in just a couple of days we'll get to see what all of these kids have been reading since school let out. If you haven't done so already, remember to go and visit your own local public library and ask about their summer programs for kids - and for grown-ups!

"Real" Books

Today while I was working, I observed a parent tell her children to go and pick "real books" to check out. The kids had already selected a reasonable stack of books, largely selections of paperback series, but mom told them in no uncertain terms that their choices were, "junk...like cartoons." The word I would use to describe Mom's tone of voice as she expressed this view is "condescending."

This sort of attitude is disturbing to me for several reasons:

• There is absolutely nothing wrong with paperback series. Kids of this age (these two were ages 8-10 or so) often find comfort in the formula often found in these series, and enjoy being able to follow the adventures of familiar characters. Reading a paperback "Secrets of Droon" or even a "Rainbow Magic" or "Pokemon" book isn't going to kill a kid's brain. At lest they're reading - any exposure to the written word is always better than no exposure.
• If you want your kids to be readers, you first need to teach them to love reading. If reading becomes a chore, or if kids don't enjoy what they read, they won't want to keep doing it. And if they don't want to read, even if they're forced to they won't get nearly as much out of it. Telling your kids that they made poor choices in their reading, especially in a critical, condescending tone, and forcing them to read books they aren't interested in are both sure-fire way to turn kids off to reading.

Yes, there are plenty of amazing stand-alone novels that I really hope that kids will read and enjoy them. And I'll agree with this mother that many of these novels have higher-quality writing than paperback series. And I don't even think that there necessarily anything wrong with encouraging your kids to expand their horizons and explore these great novels. But there's no reason to have this sort of derogatory attitude toward paperbacks. Just because they're somewhat formulaic doesn't mean that they're not "real" books - don't rule them out just yet.

A Library Card for Every Child

Today I encountered a little boy (about nine years old) who did not have a library card. This boy was so excited about being at the library and looking at books and using the computers. However, he was disappointed to learn that without a library card, he would not be able to take books home with him or use the Internet computers, which require a library card to log in. He was at the library without his parents, so he was absolutely unable to get a card that day. I have seen this boy at a library a few times in the past, and have never seen a parent with him, so I am inclined to doubt that we will see Mom or Dad with him anytime soon without some major wheedling on his part.

I like to think that the parents of a child so young would know where their son is spending his time, even if he is on his own. So why is it that this boy does not have a library card? Why would you come to the library if you didn't have full access to everything the library has to offer?

Getting a library card is very easy in most places. Most libraries simply require that you fill out a brief application and show a form of identification or proof of address. This is simply so that library employees can keep track of exactly where materials are after they are checked out. All in all, obtaining a library card should take no more than about fifteen minutes of your time.

Once you have a library card, you have the ability to take home books, movies, music, and at some libraries games. Library cards are often also required for using library computers. The library is certainly open to the public and people are more than welcome to simply read at the library without taking items home. However, having the option to take materials home means that your child's opportunities to read become unlimited. Obtaining a library card also can give children a great sense of responsibility, because once they check something out on their card, they are responsible for taking care of the item and returning it on time. It also gives children a certain amount of ownership over the items they have selected, making the materials seem more enjoyable since they checked them out.

And just think - the library offers all of these opportunities for free, in exchange for your home address, phone number, a form of ID, and the promise that items will be returned in a timely manner. That's a pretty great deal no matter where you are.

As far as I am concerned, there is simply no good reason not to have a library card. It is my hope that other parents will agree that having his card is a key to learning about the world around you as well as a host of entertainment. Parents, if you have not done so already, please make sure that your child has his or her own card so that he or she can take full advantage of the resources available at your library.

"Grade Level" for Books - Yay or Nay?

It never ceases to amaze me how many parents come into the library looking for a book that's good "for a fifth grader" or "for a second grader" or "for my child's grade level". This is always incredibly frustrating for me because not all kids of the same age or in the same grade will react the same to a given book. And not every kid in a given grade will read at the same level. There is no single "perfect book" that's good for a kid just because they're in a certain grade. It's really much more important that we know what sorts of things your kid is interested in and what kinds of books they have read recently. Do they like sports? Adventure stories? Fantasy? Mystery? It really doesn't do your child any good if they aren't reading something they'll enjoy, even if it is at their reading level, because if they don't enjoy it they won't want to keep reading!

The moral of my story and my message to parents is: Take your kids to the library with you and help them pick out books. Help your child think about what type of book they want to read, and don't stress out about "grade level" material. Reading of any sort is beneficial. While it is certainly a good guideline to know what grade your child is in and how voracious of a reader he or she is, it is certainly not the only factor that is important when looking for the perfect book.