Here is the question of the week: “My daughter wants to read the books her friends are reading. I have not read these and am suspicious that they are not worthy books. How can I encourage her to read excellent literature when she is wanting to read the things her friends are talking about?” The… Read More What’s a Mother to Do?
A mother wrote me about her eight-year- old son who is crazy about books. He has piles next to his bed, a basket full in the car, and walks around with a book in his hand. This is thrilling, but her concern is that he often peeks at the end first. I know adults who… Read More Is It Cheating to Read the Ending First?
Happy Independence Day. I take a moment today to give thanks to God for the gift of living in a country where I am still free to read, and consequently think and live, that the rich world of literature is wide open to me. Here’s the list of books I finished reading in the marvelous… Read More June Books
The next question that came in for me to address ran as follows: “My 16-year- old son was once an avid reader—read historical fiction, fantasy, and children’s classics over and over again. Then, he fell out of love a few years ago. He says he only wants to read fiction about people his own age… Read More My Son’s Lost that Readin’ Feelin’
Here’s another summer reading question: “I would like to know any tips you have for my 11yo son who has struggled to learn to read. He is now able to read on his own; he read through all of the Three Boys series and is now onto The Happy Hollisters. (I still think he prefers… Read More Growing Pains in Reading
I decided just to take this pile of summer reading questions in order, and this second one is a request for favorite audio books for the car. Can anything beat making the trip shorter like listening to stories as the miles slide by? They keep the driver awake and the children quiet. I haven’t traveled… Read More Summer Reading in the Car
Considering the packed calendar this month, I’m somewhat amazed that I read or finished reading the following this month: 1. The Mistress of Husaby by Sigrid Undset. This is the second in the trilogy of Kristin Lavransdatter and picks up where the first left off, following her through her first ten years of marriage. I… Read More My May Reading
This is the kind of question that apparently wakes mothers early in the morning, or keeps them up nights, since the following was sent to me at 5:50 a.m., the day my “Summer Reading” query was posted. I had asked, what questions do you have about keeping your kids reading through the summer: “I’m glad… Read More Can You Help Me With My Struggling Reader?
Today is the last day of school in our town. If it hasn’t arrived in your area, it will be here soon. If you haven’t already packed the days ahead with non-school fun, it’s a good time to think about summer reading. How about your children? Is the thought of release from school studies their… Read More Summer Reading
Everyone who has traveled a long distance with children knows the universal question: “Are we almost there?” I confess to wondering this as I reread George MacDonald’s children’s tale, At the Back of the North Wind. An experienced reader, I kept trying to recall the plot and to predict the wind up. After awhile, I… Read More Are We At The End?