Comments on: On Reading: Letting Go

By: Jen Robinson

Jen Robinson — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:16:19 +0000

I’m a bit slow in responding (just got back from vacation), but I’m happy to have helped inspire such thoughtful discussion, Jennifer. Like Katrina, I think that the “yearning, burning” joke is inspired. I have other friends who struggle just with finding books for their voracious reader 10-year-olds, because the girls don’t want to read about love and dating, but they want to read those big, thick books. I completely agree with you that reading the books yourself, as and when you can, is the best solution. Having teachers who do that is a huge help, too.

Katrina said (happily): “I’ve decided I’ll probably have to eventually switch to reading kid-lit/YA exclusively, just to stay one step ahead of my son.” Fortunately, those are some of the best books available. So it all works out.

By: Katrina @ Callapidder Days

Katrina @ Callapidder Days — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:50:44 +0000

I already commented at your blog on this topic, but I love this post too. I’ve decided I’ll probably have to eventually switch to reading kid-lit/YA exclusively, just to stay one step ahead of my son. Even though right now, his reading doesn’t give me concern… I know the day is coming.

I’m all for being a mean mom as we protect our kids. But I also think it’s great that you guys have a bit of a joke about yearning and burning. I think that’s a terrific approach (even if it just evolved naturally) — it lets you talk about a serious issue while keeping the conversation a little light-hearted.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:33:14 +0000

My 12 year old & I have had the same talks over Twilight. I read it, decided she could too and then guess what? She read one chapter and decided she wasn’t interested. Sometimes things just work out, don’t they. k

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 24 May 2009 21:12:43 +0000

Mean parents unite!!! I’ve heard that mantra from my son before, along with the ‘but so-and-so’s mom let’s him watch…’ It’s our job, right?

By: Jenny @ Another Jennifer Speaks

Jenny @ Another Jennifer Speaks — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:26:45 +0000

I think I’ve heard of this book but I’ve never read it or even seen it. xD Iuno if it’s something I’d read though. I’m picky about what I read.

By: Lisa notes...

Lisa notes... — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:10:41 +0000

Deanna,
There’s hope! I have a 19-yr-old who is also an avid reader. When she was younger, I would pre-read as many of her books as I could before passing them along to her.

So now that my 14-year-old is going through the books, that work is behind me because I know which books are good.

Of course there are always brand new books. Sigh. A mother’s work is never done.

Lisa

By: Deanna

Deanna — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:56:05 +0000

I agree with you Jennifer. It is hard to direct and dictate which books our 10, 11, 12 year olds girls (etc) are to read. It is hard because when you do have a child who is an avid reader they start to want to read beyond the elementary school age level. YA books are big. I think they are bigger now than in the past but who knows…I may feel that way because I am “in” the loop now. Anyways, I find (as I think you already know) that if I read the book first (best situation) or even with the child (not aloud but side by side so to speak) is the best way to help eliminate potential problems. Twilight, I agree is a bit too old for a 10yo. I even think it is too old for my 11.5yo. My biggest problem is that my 11yo is my third child, she is 2 years younger than her sister. Her sister reads alot of YA. Her sister will be 14 soon and YA (for the most part) is fine and approriate and brings us to a lot of converstations. How does a parent prevent a 11yo from reading books that her soon to be 14yo reads? I have decided to take the approach of reading the books (as best as I can) and then talking to her about them. Preventing her reading stops her from reading…doubled-edge sword here – you know.
Anyways, sorry about the lengthy comment. I could go on and on…
Your post is interestig and important. Thanks.

By: Lisa notes...

Lisa notes... — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:49:15 +0000

Jennifer,
I relate to what you’re saying. I’ve said “no” to Twilight as well. My daughter has been fine with that, thankfully.

There are SO many wonderful books out there still waiting to be read–no need to resort to the questionable ones. The pile of wonderfully-written and morally-acceptable books is very high.

Thanks,
Lisa