Keeping Kids Reading: How to Raise Avid Readers in the Video Age

This is Leonhardt's second book, published three years after Parents Who Love Reading, Kids Who Don't: How It Happens and What You Can Do About It (see my review). In it she again shares her experience as a parent and an educator and breaks some new ground from the previous volume. As early as page 19 she flatly states, "Children must love reading. This goal is absolute. No one--teachers, parents, librarians, curriculum directors, book reviewers--must do or recommend anything that puts [it] in jeopardy...[A]ll of the skill exercises that children dislike--but are 'good' for them--are not allowed if they cause a child to dislike reading." She later adds that, as a parent, you shouldn't "try to force [your child] to read [a specific book] or argue her out of her dislike of [it]." From a teacher, this is, of course, a radical stand: doubtless all of us can remember plowing through some such title as "A Tale of Two Cities," or picking Shakespeare to pieces, because they were "required reading" (even some of the librarians I know, who have somehow managed to retain their love of books despite such experiences, recount them with bitterness). Leonhardt explains that in the high-school classes she teaches, any kid can get an A for his weekly reading if he reads 200 or more pages *of a book or books chosen by himself*. She also tells how all the young avid readers she has interviewed either grew up in homes filled with books, or lived within biking (or walking) distance of a library. (Having done both myself, I can testify that they are indispensable--although once a kid is 10 or 12, I would add that bussing distance, or perhaps nearness to the child's school, is also permissible.) And, as if picking up on my previous review, she declares that "Turning kids off...by insisting on too much analysis and criticism is winning a battle only to lose the war...[Many kids are] turned off by English teachers who insist that they analyze difficult poems they don't even like..." She points out, too, that reading often leads to writing, which, since most teens are reluctant to talk to their parents about their troubles (or just can't find the words to express their feelings), may help your kids to stay out of trouble as they enter "the angst-filled teen years. You want them home writing poetry and stories when they're troubled--not looking for the nearest drug dealer." Most important, she describes four basic "reading paths" and explains how to use them to find books that kids--at any age and reading level--can enjoy, books that will make them want to read not only the current title but more books, and eventually adult-level and even "difficult" or "classic" books. While many books about kids' or teens' lit break books into broad categories, such as animal stories, adventure, or nonfiction, this is the first time I've seen anyone try to separate those categories according to the type of kid who may be attracted to them. As might be expected of a teacher

Having just finished this book for the third time, I figured it was time to give the author kudos for this wonderful book. My husband and I are lifelong avid readers and it is very important to us to share our love of reading with our children. This book has given me so much help in choosing books for my children by helping me to identify their reading "paths". For a while, I kept offering the wrong books to the kids, and I was baffled by their disinterest. Now that I understand their preferences better thanks to this book, I am so much more successful at offering books that they will like. It really works! My boys read all the time; I'd estimate at least 3 hours a day of books they choose. Over and over, this author repeats the message to trust your children. That can be so hard to do, which is why I've needed to reread the book several times. But it works! I've watched the children move from easy readers to longer books to Tolkein, and I've known that they're doing it in their own time. If I start worrying that they've been reading "below their level" or conversely that they may be choosing books that are too hard, I remember the goals of making them love reading, and have a habit of reading, and I realize they are on the right track. I rarely take the time to review books that I read, but I feel strongly enough in favor of this one to chime in with BIG thumbs-up.

If you love reading the way I do, there is very little more important to you than raising children who love to read. I thought this book was wonderful. The author is obviously passionate about getting kids hooked on reading, and believes that you should do just about anything to acheive this goal. She points out how many parents that don't hesitate to spend tons of money on toys and clothes balk at buying kids books, and points out how books can be found at lawn sales and book sales by the ton for very cheap, and how money spent on books is an investment of the best kind. She advocates letting kids read what they enjoy reading, and letting that lead to reading you find more worthwhile, but wants us to keep in mind that just getting them to READ is the goal. Her kids loved Richie Rich comics (as did I as a kid!) I love her writing style---it's very honest and direct. A great book!