Resolution Time
Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been becoming a progressively better resolution-keeper as I get older.
The trick, as with many things you wish to accomplish in life, comes down to being realistic with yourself.
For instance, if you are trying to start a really noble habit, you should make sure it’s actually do-able and at least somewhat in line with your character. Like, say, you tell yourself that this year you’re going to start running five miles a day, but you’ve never been much of a runner, and you’re pretty out of shape, and you really don’t like running (except when playing basketball, I don’t like it much, I will confess), well, maybe you should pick another resolution. Like walking a couple miles a day.
It’s great to have ambitions, but they don’t tend to flourish unless you know what you’re working with.
And I don’t mean to presume to know you that well, but I think I’ve stumbled on a great resolution, in case the one you picked isn’t shaping up so well.
If you think your kid(s) should read more, if you have Internet access or are able-bodied, and if you have fifteen minutes or more of free time a month, here’s the idea.
Hold up your right hand and read this next bit aloud—
“I, [your name, and don’t be a wiseacre and say 'yourname’] do hereby resolve for 2008 to help get one great book a month for into the hands of a child in my life.”
That wasn’t so painful, was it? And you can do that, can’t you? If you can’t afford a brand new book each month—either from a store or from an online retailer—get a used one, or borrow from your local library (here’s a handy list of local libraries and links for how to set yourself, and your kid, up with a library card) or even a friend who has the book you think your child will like.
And if you need recommendations for books—bookstores and libraries, with all the thousands of books they have, can be a pain to find your way around, I know—then come here and check out recommendations that I—and your fellow blog-readers—have made. Or go ahead and ask somebody here at the message boards, or your child’s teacher, or a bookseller, or a librarian.
It really shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes from start to finish.
JP
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My New Year's Resolution is to read all the books I borrow from the library before I have to return them in 4 weeks. Usually I run out of time, because I watch too much TV or play too many video games. Like this month, with Christmas and all, I have 3 books out of 9 that I didn't get to read before returning them.
Here are some great books for older kids:
-Maximum Ride is the most Awesome book series I have ever read. (Thanks Mr. Patterson for writing them.)
-The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo
-Most of the books in the Harry Potter Series
-Most books by Jerry Spinelli
-Hoot by Carl Hiassen
-And the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Ahhh, I'm in a different boat. I am trying to get my very young grandchildren to like books. I've really been working a lot with the four year old, the eldest, with reading & letter writing. (I'm the custodial grandparent)
Everything I've read tells me to read the same books over and over to the child. That he/she will memorize the books and begin "reading" to you and pointing the words out.
My problem is that very few books are exciting for children of today who watch exciting movies and play PS3 video games.
Sometimes I honestly think I should just stop letting them watch television or play video games.
But that's unrealistic too. Kind of like me running five miles a day...;-D
So, my pledge is this:
I pledge to read to the kids every day. To continue to sing the alphabet song everyday. To work with the pre-k letter/sound books everyday. To let him play the alphabet game on the computer every day.
I also recognize that getting these children to read and enjoy learning is the most important thing I will ever do in my life.
Terrie
I am an ELA teacher in high poverty school, and I ask my students to read at home two hours per week. They must fill out a log and get a parent signature. They also read 20 minutes (of a book of their choice) in my classroom every single day. I read lots of young adult books so I can recommend things to students, and I have a huge personal library. I really love affecting the reading of young people, and I want to do more. I'm going to try an internet discussion group. Wish me luck!
Jean, you're in (ELA) East LA?
Where are you getting your books? What ages are you helping?
If you need help starting a website, please let me know, I'm willing to work for free for a good cause and as long as it stays fun for the children.
Ha! Making it fun is the hard part! Play, play, play and friendly competition is the key, I think.
And helping children to read is the most important thing of our lives...That is the gift that keeps on giving.
My email address: terrie@cavibigoaks.com.
or, terrie@stoneinternational.com
I too live in Los Angeles County.
My love affair with books dates long before I can remember. I think because book reading was that cozy warmth of night when, after bedtime, my mother read to me before I went to sleep. Like your posting on that special hour post-bedtime when your child is granted an honorable license to read. It works magic. How well I remember endless nights with a flashlight and book under my tent of blankets... and lazy summer hours breathing the lives of Nancy Drew or Jo and Beth in the hammock under the "old oak tree." I still stay up all night to finish a book, long after the television goes fuzzy - well, to the drone of telemarketers, that is... As a special needs teacher, I only wish for the day when all of my children could find life in the written word.
I think that it's awesome that you're taking a HUGE stance for reading and as a popular author, you're being heard. And I must admit that as a librarian, I love that you chat about librarians too! thanks for all that you do!!!
~ Jennifer
ps. can't wait for FINAL WARNING
When my step-son first moved in with us when he was 7, he was into video games like most kids. So, my rule was you get an hour of video games. If you want another hour you have to either go outside and play for an hour or read for an hour. For awhile we would alternate all the time. Now he plays video games like once a month and had a huge list of books on his Christmas wish list. He went from not reading at all and having a poor reading level to reading all the time (almost a book a week) and he reads at a high school level, he just turned 12. You just need to find books that kids can be interested in. :)
I had a hard childhood, and my mother helped me by introducing me to books, where I could escape into the characters' lives. Academics were a breeze for me, and I acquired a decent education with little effort, because of reading. I've passed this love of reading (early) on to my 10 year old son, who is in now in 4th grade but reads at a 10th grade/Adult level. His success in school because of his love of/avid reading has brought him needed self-esteem and an ability to help others in that area, boosting self-worth. I let him pick what interests him, and his favorite series is of course James Patterson's Maximum Ride. Since he reads novels, it is hard to choose appropriate content because of his age. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know. Thank you.
If you are making a commitment
to read more.. try these. You've been warned, Double Cross,, Women's Murder Club series,,,and many, many more. These are all great
books that I couldn't put down. All books by JP.
P.S. The Quickie was also great. (Syl)
I stumbled on this article and message board by accident, and very pleased that I did. I have a 12 yr old son that wishes he could be held prisoner in a library. His passion for reading is amazing. When he was a baby I worked in a pediatrics office. I am a nurse and worked closely with the MD. I will never forget her telling me one day how I would be wise to limit television or completely forego it while raising my son, and soon to be born daughter. I had never been a huge TV fan and hadn't really given it much thought. As a child I had loved to escape to my favorite place with a book, reading for hours at a time if given the chance. I can remember hiding under my bed with a flashlight, unable to wait until morning to find out if Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys had solved the mystery. Well, I took that doctors advice and took television out of my parenting plan. The kids are 10 and 12, and have had very little exposure to TV. We do have a set of old fashioned "rabbit ears" if we need to tune in to a local station. Both kids read at very high levels and don't seem to feel as if they are missing anything by not watching TV. My son, especially, would much rather read a book than play a video game, or go to see a movie. My daughter calls him a Jerd, both a jock and a nerd. This past fall, one of the parents from my son's football team pointed out the fact that my son being on defense, would be reading on the players bench when he was out of the game. I had to laugh. Punishment in our home is taking away books. All I have to do is threaten it, and it's done. My friends tease me about this. Anyway, I have gone on way too long and will probably have my comment thrown out as I will exceed the limit. I bought the Maximum Ride series for Jake for Christmas, books 1 and 2. Book 3 is being shipped Monday and he is going nuts waiting for it to arrive. He loved it. The problem we run into is finding books that interest him that are appropriate for a 12 year old. Anybody have any suggestions? A basketbll coach seeing him always reading at my daughter's practices suggested Maximum Ride and it was a definite hit. Thanks Mr. Patterson and keep the books for this age group coming!
Helen,
I was like you and your son. I remember reading Taylor Caldwell's Captains and the Kings when I was 9.
I also remember being in second or third grade and having to do book reports. Part of the book report was to write down words that you didn't understand and had to look up. Then you'd go to school and write the words on the blackboard so the whole class could look them up.
One day, I'll never forget it...One of my words was:
Orgy...
I had a great teacher. She must have just about shit when she saw me write that! But she just smiled and let the other kids look it up too.
I often wonder what would happen in todays politically incorrect school systems if a child did that?
So, I guess that I wouldn't worry about it too much. Kids understand what they're ready to understand. I would just be there to talk to him about what he's reading. You read the books too.
Good luck,
Terrie