Age appropriate

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

A year ago I was asked by a mother to help keep her daughter (now 13) reading during summer break. She read five books over the three months. She's a slow reader who has some comprehension problems. This year, she's been racing through the Trixie Belden series (already on book 11). I believe the books are geared for about ten year olds, but as long as she's excited about this series, I see no reason to push more difficult summer reading at her. So my question to you book lovers is should I be pushing her out of her comfort range? I'm not a teacher so I think the fact she found something she likes is good enough during her summer break. When she goes back to school there will no doubt be reading assignments that contain higher quality books.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@AuntG wrote:
A year ago I was asked by a mother to help keep her daughter (now 13) reading during summer break. She read five books over the three months. She's a slow reader who has some comprehension problems. This year, she's been racing through the Trixie Belden series (already on book 11). I believe the books are geared for about ten year olds, but as long as she's excited about this series, I see no reason to push more difficult summer reading at her. So my question to you book lovers is should I be pushing her out of her comfort range? I'm not a teacher so I think the fact she found something she likes is good enough during her summer break. When she goes back to school there will no doubt be reading assignments that contain higher quality books.

@AuntG @No, let her read what she likes to read. Tricia Belden is a good choice. If there's a book that's a little bit harder but you think she might like, just add that one in with the others in the collection.

QVCkitty1 · ‎05-23-2015

@AuntG wrote:
A year ago I was asked by a mother to help keep her daughter (now 13) reading during summer break. She read five books over the three months. She's a slow reader who has some comprehension problems. This year, she's been racing through the Trixie Belden series (already on book 11). I believe the books are geared for about ten year olds, but as long as she's excited about this series, I see no reason to push more difficult summer reading at her. So my question to you book lovers is should I be pushing her out of her comfort range? I'm not a teacher so I think the fact she found something she likes is good enough during her summer break. When she goes back to school there will no doubt be reading assignments that contain higher quality books.

Has she read any of the " Anne of Green Gables books?"

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

Anne of Green Gables is an excellent book. I first read it when I was in my 50s!!! really enjoyed it. Also, how about the Nancy Drew series? When I was her age I really liked those too and read almost all of them.

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

Anytime a child is excited about reading due to an author or series, and it's age appropriate, it's great. The more the child reads the better the comprehension, and their speed will improve. With that comes confidence and they will want to find new authors and series to read. It will also help them with their writing. . Kudos for helping.

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

If the books are too difficult for her reading will become a chore and not as pleasant. At least she is reading. She should be dicussing the books with someone (that has read them) if you want to help her with her comprehension skills. Good for her for at least reading during the summer, so many children don't even look at a book. Was she ever tested professionally? It could be a minor reading problem easily dealt with.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

@AuntG @Let's be honest. She's already doing FAR more than most adults or teens! Kudos to you for facilitating her love of reading - anything! I get excited when I hear that very young folks are loving books! (I'm now a corporate executive and I'm a former professor at a top ranked university...... Nourishing and supporting a child's curiosity to read is, in my opinion, the single most important thing adults can do to ensure academic success later on.) you're obviously a great influence in her life!

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

@AuntG , kudos to you for what you are doing for this young mind-- that is wonderful.

The Trixie Belden series is an excellent one for girls her age, and even older. Especially the first 6 in the series, which were authored by series originator, Julie Campbell. Campbell had a unique voice, and her characters were almost more like entertaining little adults, even though Trixie and Honey were 13 at the start. Kathryn Kenny, although not quite the same, who continued the series, did fine with it.

In an entertaining way, the Trixie books conveyed tons of what would be called "general information" (Trixie's brother Mart loved to opine on all subjects, and their friend Jim was a "brain" as well). Trixie was clever and shrewd in her analysis of the crimes she solved, and the wit, humor and hijinks in the books was at a high level. Most importantly, the adults like Miss Trask, Regan, the horse groom, and Mr. and Mrs. Belden were models of kindness and grown up responsibility, and highly respected by the kids. So the values in the books were stellar.

Another series by Julie Campbell, very similar, were the Ginny Gordon series. Ginny and her pals also lived in a sleepy New York suburb and solved mysteries. There are only 5 books in the series, and the first one, "The Mystery of the Disappearing Candlesticks", is really good! She would love those books as well.

Both Julie Campbell and the also talented Helen Wells alternately wrote the "Cherry Ames" series about a dedicated but fun-loving nurse who solves mysteries. Those are good too, and there's tons of them!

Your instinct in guiding her has been exactly right, in my opinion.

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

@Oznell You are a pleasure to read. You have a way with words.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Thanks to all who responded. I think once she finishes this book, I'll ask her to do me a favor and try Anne of Green Gables. I do think she tries to please me whereas her single mom is busy and tends to bark orders and the girl barks back! I never get that kind of treatment (thankfully). I don't ask too many questions about school, so I'd guess she's an average student. Oh, and as for the Nancy Drew suggestion, I'll suggest that next year if they are still living in our neighborhood. With Nancy being eighteen, and driving a car, I think an older teen might appeal to her.