How to Start a Book Club for 8 to 12-Year-Olds

​​If you’re looking for a way to get your child reading, start a book club! It’s a great way to encourage kids to read for pleasure, and it can help them develop important skills like critical thinking and communication. Here are some tips on how to start a book club for 8 to 12-year-olds.

Choose a location

Your home could be an option for a book club location, or you might want to look into local community centers and libraries that offer space for peer groups to meet. These days, you could also do a virtual option. Or you can enlist help from your mom friends and rotate homes for each meeting. If you do choose to meet in person, be sure to check with the parents of potential members to ensure that their child is comfortable coming to your home.

Decide on a format

There are lots of different formats you can use for your book club, including: 

• read aloud discussion, 
• guided reading, 
• and independent reading. 

If the kids read independently at home, they can then come prepared to answer questions about the book. Or have each child bring a question they have about the story.

Get creative! You could have the kids make a craft related to the book at each meeting. Or pull out the LEGOs and have kids build something that relates back to the book: a scene, a person, or an object. Or you might choose books that are also available as movies and then watch the film at each meeting. 

Keep trying new formats as you go along and see what works best for your group. You may find that some formats work better for certain types of books.

Choose books wisely

While it's important to pick books that everyone will enjoy and that encourage critical thinking skills, it's also important that they are at the right reading level. 

Additionally, try to look for books with a good mixture of male and female characters, as well as characters from different backgrounds and cultures. Diverse books are always a good choice. You can find a lot of them here on MommyMaestra.

Encourage discussion

Discussing the books is an essential part of a book club, so be sure to pick titles that will spark interesting discussions! You can even have your own "mystery box" that contains possible book choices, and let the kids choose from there.

If you don't want to read the books yourself, then you can: 

1. have your child lead the group and come up with questions to ask, or
2. look online for discussion questions. 

Author websites and publisher websites often have lesson plans or discussion questions that can be downloaded. But TpT is also a good place to look.

Put rewards in place

Whether it's a small prize or public praise, make sure the kids have some sort of reward in place to encourage their participation. Don't be afraid to add your own personal touch to this!

Here are a few reward ideas for kids ages 8 to 12.

Start small

Remember, you don't have to start with a huge group. A smaller group of dedicated readers is better than a large group that doesn't participate. You can always build up from there. Quality over quantity! (It's also a lot easier to manage and more budget friendly, depending on your reward plans.)

Be flexible

Try to be flexible with your book club plans. If a child can’t make it to a meeting, don’t force them to come. And if someone wants to bring a friend, that’s great! The more the merrier.

Use printable activity sheets

If you do a quick search for "book club printables" there are a lot of great options that come up. Think about using reading logs, book reports, bookmarks, reading craftivities, etc. Or challenge your children to design their own book club signs, member roster, book list, etc.

Later this week, I'll share some bilingual book club printables I designed and link to them here.

How to modify the book club for specific themes

If you want to focus on a specific theme for your book clubs, like science fiction or mystery, you can use these steps as a guide. Just make sure to choose books that fit the theme, and encourage discussion around that topic. You might even want to create some themed activities to go along with the reading.

Example: Summer Book Club

A good example of modifying a book club would be a summer book club. You can include classics like Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days or contemporary titles like Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Example: Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club for kids

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids, a book club is a perfect option. You can use books like Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan or The Mystery of the Mischievous Marker: A Mickey Rangel Mystery by René Saldaña Jr. or Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle if you are looking for books by Latino authors.

Example: Women's History Month for kids

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Women's History Month with kids, a book club is a perfect option. You could focus on books featuring strong female protagonists like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo.

Check out my post on 15 Children's Biographies Celebrating Women.

Where is the best place to buy books for book clubs?

First, always try your local library. Especially if the book club members live in different areas. But if your book club consists of neighborhood kids, chances are your library won't have enough copies for everyone. So, the best place to buy books for book clubs is typically a local bookstore or online retailer. Many bookstores will offer discounts for book club purchases, and you can often find good deals on used books as well. 

If you're looking for specific titles, it's usually best to check online retailers like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

How should an adult be involved in the book club?

Your level of involvement as an adult has in your children's book club will ultimately depend on the group's preferences. Some clubs may prefer that adults take a more hands-off approach, while others may appreciate having an adult chaperone or facilitator. Ultimately, it's up to the group to decide what level of involvement is best for them. You may lead discussions or just provide snacks and help with set up! 

Starting a book club can be a great way to encourage kids to read and discuss books critically. By choosing wisely, you can create a book club that is interesting for kids and encourages discussion. Be sure to have rewards in place to motivate the kids, and try to be flexible with your plans. If you want to focus on a specific theme or holiday, you can easily modify the book club to fit your needs.

Have you ever started a book club for kids? How did it work out?

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Book Review: Book Fiesta!
  
  
• Read for America: 3 Books that Inspire
  
  
• 40 Ways to Keep Your Child Excited About Reading
  
  
• Bilingual Reading Logs

image source: Canstock Photo - Ferli

40 Ways to Keep Your Child Excited About Reading

Happy May! 

For some, the end of the school year is in sight. For others, school will continue through the hot summer months. Either way, your child's reading development should be one of the things you stay on top of this summer.

This month, we'll be focusing on summer reading: tips, books, strategies, and more.

One challenge that parents face during the summer is keeping their kids excited about reading. So we've put together a short list of ways to make reading fun.

Did we miss one? Let us know!

© Can Stock Photo / evgenyatamanenko

40+ Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Reading

1. Read with your child.
2. Make it special and set up a comfortable reading nook just for your child.
3. Visit the bookstore or library on a weekly basis.
4. Translate a story!
5. Read the book...then watch the movie... or vice versa! Discuss which one you liked better and why.
6. Involve friends. Invite your child's friends over for a book swap party.
7. Create your own book club and meet weekly to discuss new books.
8. Make puppets and then have your child(ren) put on a puppet show of the story for friends and family.
9. Dress up in costumes and re-enact the story! (Who doesn't love a good play?)
10. Write up a book report.
    
11. Read to a pet!
12. Help your child create a video book review!
13. Add variety. Read books, magazines, eBooks, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, comic books, graphic novels, classics, action & adventure...
14. Ask your child to write and illustrate his/her own story.
15. Read outside.
16. Read in the car.
17. Download an eBook app, such as Epic, Storia, or Readyland.
18. Go to the park to read!
19. Make up different endings.
20. Buy picture books without words and make up your own story.
    
    

    

    © Can Stock Photo / Choreograph
    
    

21. Read to a stuffed toy.
22. Use story boards.
23. Make meals mentioned in the story.
24. Create a felt story board.
25. Join a summer reading program.
26. Listen to audiobooks.
27. Create a reward chart.
28. Use reading logs to record their progress.
29. Use story cubes.
30. Use incentives (these can be physical items or simple privileges).
31. Read aloud. Pick a book you both love and take turns reading to each other.
32. Dress it up! Gift wrap a book you've carefully selected and give it to your child as a gift.
33. Make sure your child is reading books on her level. Books that are too difficult or advanced make reading a lot less fun.
34. Buy a fun book light at the dollar store. 
35. Bribery! (Lol!!)
36. Give your child his own library card.
37. Stay up late reading!
38. Read to a friend.
39. Read to Abuela or Abuelo (Grandma or Grandpa).
40. Let your child choose the book.
41. Find books on topics your child is interested in.
42. Vary your child's reading routine.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Prepping for Summer with MommyMaestra
  
  
• 13 Free English & Multilingual Online Books for Children
  
  
• Read Around the World: Kutu, The Tiny Inca Princess
  
  
• Summer Reads: The Boy Who Touched the Stars
  
  
• Summer Reads: Luca's Bridge, El puente de Luca
  
  
• Read Around the World: Golden Tales

Barton Reading and Spelling: Expensive, Boring, and Effective

The following is a guest post by Stacie Farias, a Mexican-American mom of 6 who does not blog because she is too busy reading other blogs to write one of her own.

Have you been struggling to find the right reading and spelling program for your children? Do you have a child with a learning difference who needs the right program to guide them on their path to reading fluency? Today's reading program might be for you! Barton Reading and Spelling is a powerful program that works with all children.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Basics

Barton Reading & Spelling is an Orton-Gillingham based reading and spelling program created by Susan Barton. According to the Barton website, the Barton system “is a great tutoring system for children, teenagers, and adults who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing due to dyslexia or a learning disability.”

Barton Reading and Spelling has 10 levels that range in price from $300 - $350 per level. All students must pass the free Barton Student Screener in order to be able to use the program and all tutors, or parents who “tutor” their own children, must pass the free Barton Tutor Screener. There are several other requirements to be a Barton student (or at least be able to benefit from the Barton program) that are listed here.

The Real Review

Now that I have explained all the basic information, let me give y’all the real deal from a homeschool mom who has tutored her kids through 7 of the 10 Barton levels. 

Barton Reading and Spelling is VERY expensive, as far as homeschool curriculum is concerned. We have paid $350 for just one level?!?!? And all you get is a large spiral-bound manual, some colored tiles, and a set of DVDs!!! 

Yup. A lucky set of circumstances helped us to cover some of these costs, but yes. We paid $300 to $350 per level for a box with a giant manual, some colored tiles (although the tile app is better) and a set of DVDs. The plus side of Barton is that it has a very high resale value. Most families buy one level at a time and list that level “for sale” on eBay or various Facebook groups and easily get back $250-$300 back. That money goes into buying the next level their kiddo needs. Another plus is that many Barton parents later invest in becoming certified Barton tutors and begin to tutor other children. Overall, tutoring your own children is still astonishingly cheaper than paying a tutor to do it for you. 

Barton Reading and Spelling is VERY boring. LOL! This does not sound like an endorsement but it most definitely is, after an explanation. Barton was originally written for adults and so there are no cutesy pictures or anything of ANY visual interest in the student pages. The practice stories are drab. The procedures of Barton are so repetitive that you may require a caffeine boost to get you through them. But the repetition is key! The formulaic, systematic, and yes boring, procedures are exactly what a dyslexic student needs to recall and retain the many skills that are needed to read and spell. This is the secret of an Orton-Gillingham based program and why it works. And by the way, Barton is scripted. Moms, you CAN teach your child using this system by watching the DVDs, then doing the lessons from the script. That’s all you need. 

Barton Reading and Spelling is VERY effective. I have seen it in my own children. Their spelling is not perfect 100% of the time but they now have tools to help them. My children can break apart syllables. My children know what schwa is. My children are helping their younger siblings learn how to read using Barton techniques. Wha?!?!? Yes! I caught my dyslexic 12-year-old explaining to my 7-year-old why “y” makes different sounds at the end of a word. It’s called the Cry Baby Rule, thank you Barton!! 

With regards to my children’s reading skills, Barton has been effective in 2 ways. First, my children have stopped guessing at words (at least in front of me) and my children can read words that they have never encountered before by breaking apart syllables. Many people think this is the same as “sound it out,” but it is not the quite the same. There is a system for breaking apart syllables to determine what sounds the letters make and my kids understand this because of Barton. If you are more convinced by numbers, take a look at these studies about Barton’s effectiveness. 

Disclaimer! I could not possibly say everything there is to say about the Barton experience. Some days it just clicks and some days we have to close the manual and take a break. And what can I say about Susan Barton herself? She is a queen, A QUEEN!! If you watch this video of Susan Barton explaining signs and symptoms of dyslexia, you can see how much she cares and how much she knows. When you hear the story about her nephew, grab a tissue. 

Please! If you suspect dyslexia in your child or children, I highly recommend checking up Susan Barton’s two websites:

• Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
• and the Barton Reading and Spelling specific website. 

Do NOT be put off by the early 2000s look of the websites. LOL! The information is up-to-date.

Supplies to Help You Teach

These are some of the extra supplies I find helpful in teaching my kids to read with this program. 

• tabletop whiteboard and markers
• 3-ring binder
• page protectors
• plastic (tile) organizer
• Crayola Take Note ERASABLE Highlighter Set << These are awesome!

I also really like the I See, I Spell, I Learn Super Combo Picture Sight Words & Picture Homophones Flashcards...

And these guided reading strips are also extremely helpful.

Keep learning!

Click on these links to additional information about dyslexia resources or other reading program reviews.

• Resources for Dyslexia Awareness Month
  
  
• PRIDE Reading Program Review
  
  
• Teaching Children with Learning Differences to Read with Reading Horizons
  
  
• Reading Eggs review

-----------

Stacie Servantes Farias is an Army wife and mom of 6 with a “very healthy” obsession for Snoopy, Disney movies, Audrey Hepburn, Dr. Pepper, Whataburger, books, and homeschooling. Originally from Mission, Texas, Stacie and her high-school sweetheart hubby live with their kids and dog in a different home every few years, because that is the military life. She has big plans to write a book exploring her theory that La Llorona drowned her children because they would take their socks off all over the house and then would complain that they never had clean socks! Stacie also thinks she is really funny, but she is mostly lame. 

4 Ways to Hook Reluctant Readers

The following is a guest post by Latina author, Mariana Llanos. 

The day my second son came home from school and slammed his backpack on the floor, grunting, “I hate reading! It’s so boring!” my jaw dropped to the floor and my heart felt like it had been ripped in two.

I’m a writer: I breathe books! How could he possibly not like to read?!? My oldest son was a natural reader and a book lover. Actually, our main problem was getting him to put away his book so he could go to sleep!

But his little brother felt quite different about books. He learned to read by himself at 4 ½. He read way above his grade level… but still, reading didn’t come naturally to him, despite it being in his blood.

After I recovered my composure, I tried to convince my son that maybe he was just reading the wrong books, and he needed to find something else. His response? “Nope. I’m never reading again.”

So I did what I always do when there’s a crisis at home - I hit the library and the Internet. I read several articles about reading and different reading patterns. With all the knowledge I gained, I put an “emergency reading plan” into action.  And now, in case you’re going through the same thing with your child, I’m ready to share what I learned with you:

What is your child REALLY saying? 

Reading has a strong connection with our emotions. Is your child having difficulty reading? Can there be an underlying vision problem? Dyslexia? Any other problems that might be making reading an unpleasant experience?

After a long conversation with my son, I discovered that he disliked his advanced reading class because the teacher was strict. I know she meant well, but my son was stressed during class just trying not to get into trouble for talking. He was over-thinking all the comprehension questions that would come after reading. He wasn’t enjoying the books he read at school because he was too worried about having to answer questions and write papers about the book. I talked to the teacher and told her exactly what the problem was with my son. She was extremely understanding and opened her classroom to change. Taking the stress off my son’s shoulder was the first step to mending his relationship with books.

What does your child like to read? 

Not everyone likes the same kind of books. Some kids might enjoy reading non-fiction, and others might enjoy fantasy or sci-fi. Some people enjoy reading long books (you can’t see me, but I’m raising my hand and waving it madly), while others are overwhelmed at the thought of reading that many pages! Lately, everyone seems to be talking about what your child should be reading at a certain grade, but the truth is, reading is such a personal experience, that the reading level should only be used as a reference, not as a determining factor of what books your kids are allowed to take home.

In our house, we read plenty of picture books and picture storybooks (slightly longer books with colorful illustrations). These short stories still carry a lot of content and on occasion, touch complex subject matter (think of Show Way or The Smoky Night), opening doors for a meaningful conversation. My own books, Tristan Wolf and A Planet for Tristan Wolf, are geared toward reluctant readers: short stories, with poignant themes, but still with plenty of illustrations to aid wandering minds. I discovered my son, who in third grade was at a fifth-grade reading level, still enjoyed reading stories with vibrant images. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

Technology is on your side. 

It's funny but people are so different when it comes to reading habits. I can't stand reading long texts on my Kindle reader, but some people do. I noticed my son was more receptive to reading when it was on a tablet. So, why not? We’ve downloaded some picture books and chapter books on our tablet, but we also read in print. Some kids just enjoy the variation of format. They can highlight text, bookmark pages, and even look up words. Use this to your favor! You can download my chapter book The Staircase on Pine Street by clicking here.

Be an enthusiast for books. 

Now, it’s your turn to be honest: are you modeling reading? Children pick up all our habits, and reading is no exception. It’s a great idea to carve out a time where you get to enjoy your favorite book or magazine, while your children practice their own independent reading. But it’s also important to have some kind of family reading time. After I discovered my son wasn’t enjoying books, I began reading aloud again. He likes that a lot! Currently, we are almost finished with ‘Bud Not Buddy’, and our next book will be ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’. He just turned ten, but no, he’s not too old to enjoy some time reading with mom.

Also, I like to take him on special dates. It’s our little secret: during the school year, I pick a day where I’ll go and check him out from school to take him with me to my favorite indie bookstore. I do this one child at a time, so it’s our ‘special time’. At the bookstore’s café, we eat a treat, and then we pick a couple of books. We enjoy a little time together until it’s time to pick up his brother and sister from school. What’s my goal with this? To help my children have fond memories of reading, to find pleasure and warmth in it. Other ideas to be an enthusiast for books are:

• Attend book signings and book fairs
  
• Support local authors by purchasing their books
• Write a letter to your favorite writers
• Follow your favorite writers on social media and show your   kids the content these authors share
• Give books as presents
• Visit the library at least once a week and participate in their reading events
• Begin a book club with your children and their friends
• Make your library accessible to all members of your household
• Use simple goal charts and rewards. Your reward or treat doesn’t have to be anything material. Actually, kids enjoy rewards that are fun and original: maybe a picnic at the zoo, or a roller-skating date! (Our current chart goal is three chapter books and a tennis match as a reward)

It’s been almost two years since I changed my approach to reading with my son. Has he changed his opinion about books? Yes and No. YES, because now he’s more willing to read, especially when he sets goals (“I’m reading two picture books today, or three chapters of this book”), and NO, because he still wishes he could play Minecraft all day long.

In the end, we have to accept that everyone is different. Some people just love reading naturally, while others need to put a little more effort into it. Just like some people would rather do math, while I would prefer running with the bulls in Pamplona. We have to respect everyone’s differences, even within our own family. But by all means, keep on feeding your child’s curiosity through the wondrous world of books. Don’t dismay. Be consistent. Your child will be grateful one day.

You May Also Like These Posts Related to Reluctant Readers:

• Encouraging Reluctant Readers With Films
  
  
• Marta Darby: Homeschooling is Not for Everyone (Marta shares her son's reading challenge and how they overcame it.)
  
  
• Tintin and the Reluctant Reader
  
  
• Barton Reading and Spelling: Expensive, Boring, and Effective

Photo credit: WavebreakMediaMicro

-------------------------

Mariana Llanos is an award-winning children’s books writer. She was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and currently lives in Oklahoma with her family. Mariana’s books are available in English and in Spanish on Amazon.com and on her website www.marianallanos.com.

SightWords.com: A Free Online Reading Curriculum

Do you have or know a child who is learning to read in English? If so, do you know about the online program Sight Words?

It is a free educational resource for teaching children to read and the site has just introduced a great new curriculum, sponsored by the Georgia Preschool Association, for teaching Phonemic Awareness (also called Pre-Phonics) to children. Their site is packed with games, activities, and tools to help parents and educators prepare children for learning to read.

Their free and printable materials are designed to promote learning in the classroom and also at home. The site's features include:

• A Curriculum covering the full range of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
• Classroom-tested Lessons based on the latest research, complete with “how-to” videos
• Printable picture cards, word lists, and game boards
• Teaching Tips for tailoring games to the specific needs of your students

Each sight words session is approximately 30 minutes and is divided into two components:

• Sight Words Lesson – Use our teaching techniques to introduce new words and to review words from previous lessons (10 minutes).
• Sight Words Games – Use our games to provide reinforcement of the lesson and some review of already mastered sight words to help your child develop speed and fluency (20 minutes).

What I love about this site is that the curriculum includes instructional videos for parents/educators to help them understand the concepts and how to play the games. Take a look:

Parents! Take advantage of these free resources whenever you can. They are there to help you!

Reading Rainbow Releases New DVD and eBook App

Welcome back to MommyMaestra's Back-to-School Fiesta! Today I'm featuring my favorite show when I was a child. It was - hands down - Reading Rainbow. The show ran for 26 years on PBS, and while I stopped watching when I hit high school (mostly) it was still one of those treasured memories from my childhood. To this day, I can sing the theme song by heart. (Raise your hand if you can, too.)

This post uses affiliate links.

For the past five years or more, I've been lamenting the fact that my own kids couldn't see the show and have the same experience. I've closely followed (and contributed to) the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter campaign and danced a little happy dance as I watched all the support role in until the show had raised over $5 million dollars to bring LeVar and the show back.

This past June, Reading Rainbow released their first new DVD called "Animal Café" and it is awesome! I got my hands on one and it is going to stay in my family video library forever. The four episodes from the original show feature these books:

• “Animal Cafe,” read by Martin Short, 
• “The Tortoise and the Hare,” read by Gilda Radner, 
• “Ludlow Laughs,” read by Phyllis Diller, 
• and “Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message,” read by Nicholson Earl Billey.

Did you see that? Gilda Radner!! I loved that woman.

Anyway, my kids loved this video almost as much as I did. And we're clamoring for more.

 

But the reading doesn't end there because Reading Rainbow has also released a new online service for kids called SKYBRARY. It is a virtual library for kids that is available for mobile devices AND computers with internet connection!

When I registered, I was prompted to set up my account and add my children. After that, when we login, my children just have to select the hot air balloon with their name and off they go!

This virtual library allows your children to pilot their own personal hot air balloons among SKYBRARY'S 7 uniquely-themed islands, each featuring a wide array of quality literature and video content. These engaging worlds of animals, music, adventure, science, heroes, friends and family feature more than 500 books from esteemed authors and acclaimed publishers.

Your kids can choose the option of  “read by myself” or “read to me,” and many of the books contain interactive elements that enhance enjoyment while preserving the reading experience. My kids just click on the island they want to visit and then they select a video or a book. They add the books to their virtual backpack before reading them, and when they are done, they put the books in the "book return" to free up space in their backpack and let them check out new books.

In addition to books, there are more than 150 newly produced and classic video field trips with host LeVar Burton that show children they can “Go Anywhere, Be Anything” as they are taken behind the scenes to places such as the White House, the Los Angeles Ballet, the Grand Canyon, and Cirque du Soleil.

SKYBRARY is available at www.readingrainbow.com and offers a 14-day free trial with unlimited access to the complete digital library of books and videos. After the trial period ends, subscription plans are available.

So if you'd like to offer your kids this wonderful book, join up! Remember, they just have to...

Take a look

It's in a book

The Reading Rainbow!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this DVD & website trial for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Printable Bilingual Dinosaur Puzzle Cards

We took the kids to see Jurassic World last Friday. My son was counting down the days for it to open! It was a lot of fun, but it is definitely a movie I recommend for older kids. There are lots and lots of dinos, lots and lots of action, and lots and lots of scary. My older child spent most of the movie clutching my hand over her eyes.

Anyway, because I know that younger kids want to feel a part of the action, I thought it would be fun to create some dino-themed printables. Here's a freebie you can download today and tomorrow only. Be on the lookout for more fun dinosaur downloads in my TpT store!

Download this file here

Enjoy!

Encouraging Reluctant Readers With Films

I've always heard the phrase, "the book is better than the movie." And in my limited experience, that has generally proven to be the case. But just because this is true, doesn't mean the movie isn't worth watching. And in the case of reluctant readers, watching movies may be the pathway to creating a love of reading.

My son has always loved a good story. But he's always preferred to hear one rather than read it himself. When he was little, he would always bring a book and ask me to read to him. Even in our homeschool, our read-aloud sessions were - and still are - his favorites. But when it came to reading himself, he wasn't very keen.

Until he discovered How to Train Your Dragon. And I don't mean the books. Oh, no. The movie and then the television series captured his imagination. Then one day, we happened to be on one of our weekly bookstore trips and he spotted a little book. It was a beginning reader featuring - yep! - How to Train Your Dragon. Normally, he would be pretty apathetic and impatient about our literary shopping trips. But not this time!

This post contains affiliate links.

Using Movies with Reluctant Readers

So we bought it. And when he finished reading it, he begged me for another. And then, even though I thought they were far too advanced and difficult for him, I bought one of the bigger books by Cressida Cowell. I read the first chapter, and right when he was thoroughly hooked, I got "too busy" and told him to read it himself. He whined and begged, but I was very firm and told him I would read some more the next day if I had time. Before I knew it, he was reading it himself...before bed, in the car, on the couch. I would help him with difficult words, but otherwise he read the whole thing himself. And then I bought him another. And another.

Then one day, we stumbled upon Jeffrey Brown's Jedi Academy. And my little Star Wars lover was gobbling down all of Brown's books on that subject. Now we all eagerly await young Roan's next adventure in the third book set to come out this June.



From there we started ordering Indiana Jones books and graphic novels.

And after that? We watched Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. I balked at the $13 price per book. Lucky for him, though, we found most of the series in hardback at a used bookstore for only $4 each.

Using Movies to Supplement Reading

But don't get me wrong. My son, who is now a voracious reader at age 8, doesn't only read books about movie characters he loves. Remember how I said he has always loved a good story? Well, that passion for reading and stories has now grown to include new books and even classics.

My once reluctant reader now easily accepts reading assignments in school, although I've had to abandon many of the easier reads for his grade. We started a set of illustrated classics I found at our local bookstore and he read aloud Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But he couldn't wait and wound up reading Treasure Island and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer without me.

I surprised him with the movie versions of some of these titles...after he finished reading them!

Letting Kids Choose the Books They Want to Read

For school assignments, I've actively searched for "living books" written by authors passionate about the subject matter. We've even joined a homeschool book club.

Now we keep a basket in our car on the floor between my children's seats that holds an assortment of reading materials. Everything from comics to mysteries to classics to activity books to magazines. They read everything they can get their hands on. While my daughter has always been a strong reader, I didn't think my son ever would be. I'm so grateful for that I let him choose his own book. Even if it would be considered "twaddle" by some homeschoolers. Because I think to develop a love of reading in our kids, they need to be allowed to choose their own titles in addition to the ones they're assigned for school. Even (especially?) when that interest is created by movies.

25 Movies That Are Also Books

If you have a reluctant reader in your home, consider showing a movie first and then sharing the original or companion book. To help you, here's a short list to get you started. Or you may be interested in my other more comprehensive post, 55 Children's Books That Are Awesome Movies Too.

Keep in mind that there may be lots of other books or versions available than the ones I've listed here. For example, there are tons of books on Star Wars. But I listed Jedi Academy because it is perfect for a young child and emerging reader.

1. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (television series / book series)
2. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (movies / books)
3. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (movies & television series / books - there are a ton of other books related to this series, including picture books, etc.)
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (movie / books - the series is also available on Netflix)
5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (movie series / books)
6. Dinotopia by James Gurney (television series / books)
7. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy M. Montgomery (television series / books)
8. The Call of the Wild by Jack London (movie / book)
9. The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé (movie & television series / books)
10. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (movie & television series / book)
11. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (movie / books)
12. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (movies / book)
13. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (movie / book)
14. Peter Pan by James M. Barrie (movies / book)
15. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (movie / book)
16. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (movie / book)
17. Stuart Little by E. B. White (movies / book)
18. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (movie & television series / book)
19. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (movie / book)
20. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (movie / book)
21. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (movie / book)
22. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (movie & television / book)
23. Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown (spin-off of Star Wars) (movies / books)
24. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (movie / book)
25. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (movie / book)

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• 55 Children's Books That Are Awesome Movies Too
  
  
• 40 Ways to Keep Your Child Excited About Reading
  
  
• How to Start a Book Club for 8 to 12-Year-Olds
  
  
• Bilingual Reading Logs
  
  
• 4 Ways to Hook Reluctant Readers
  
  

Blue Planet Interactive Story Book App for Bilingual Readers

I've got another goodie for those of you raising bilingual readers. Blue Planet Tales has a special interactive app full of eBooks about world history and real life. From the race to the South Pole to the history of pirates to the construction of the pyramids, your child will enjoy these educational and entertaining stories.

Name: Blue Planet Tales
Subject(s): Reading, History, Science
Brief Description: An interactive story book app in Spanish & English featuring stories of historical events and people.
Price: Free with in-app purchases; $0 - $2.99
Language: Spanish, English
Ages: 4 - 10
Device: iOS, Android 

What I like:

I love the focus of the stories are vibrantly illustrated and teach history, technological and social progress through adventurous stories. I also appreciate how they are inclusive of Hispanic figures. For example, The Liberator is the story of Simón Bolivar. How often do we see stories like that featured? And the stories are in English and Spanish.

Your child can choose to read the stories himself, or listen to the app instead. 

And each book comes with reading comprehension questions to help boost your child's literacy skills.

 

To learn more, visit their website (available in English or Spanish).