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Book question
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My ds just came from PS in April and he claims he hates to read. Last night we were talking about books and he says he has read a lot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and would like to have more of them. I assume they are twaddle(haven’t read any myself)and shouldn’t be a part of school. My question is this…Do I refuse to let him have them or let them be a treat? How do you handle this?
I havent read those books, not sure if the are twaddle or not, but in general….
I would ask him what he likes so much about those books, and then try to find something non-twaddly but with similar attributes to tempt him to enjoy reading. The thing I have found with both junk food and junk reading is that both cause you to crave more junk. So, I would minimize the twaddle while trying not to move those books into the category of “forbidden fruit”, which as we all know is the most delightful stuff and the subject of intense cravings.
Check out some good, quality book lists and make some choices from those. Personally, we avoid twaddle. With so many wonderful books and limited time, I don’t see the need for any twaddle. Here are a couple of series to get you started: Sugar Creek Gang, Hardy Boys, Boxcar Children (first 19).
I let my son choose what to read during his free time. My son gravitates towards non-fiction almost exclusively, though. My son will not read fiction unless it is part of school (aka no choice =)).
We have not read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. But my cousin age 13, who was reading on a 10th grade level in 2nd grade, has read all of the books, and though in 7th grade and reading highly technical scientific articles for fun, he still counts the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books as some of his favorites. Different families have different allowances. My aunt allows any reading for her children, no matter age level. School readings are assigned by her but any free reading is anything they want. Sometimes my cousin (10) will be reading picture books during free read and the 13 year old will be reading Bo the Dog early chapter books. Both read well above their age/grade levels.
For my son, who reading had become something abhorrent, I just want him to enjoy reading again. If that takes something more juvenile, I would allow it. My hope is that, after so much exposure to quality books during school time, my son will come to be offended by any twaddle in his free reading. =)
Also, if your son has not read them, maybe try The Sign of the Beaver or My Side of the Mountain. My son loved these! We checked them out from the library but since finishing, my son got his own copies. I think these are the only fiction books in his personal library!
They are most definitely twaddle. They aren’t even chapter books…they’re like a long version of a comic book/cartoon…something like that.
My two younger dc liked them but once they got their fill, they were done. They may look at them occasionally but for the most part they don’t get them from the library anymore.
I would definitely start reading aloud to your ds and require a specific amount of listening (a set chapter, or time and use a timer, if you have to), even audio books in the car would be good. Eventually he will start to enjoy good quality over the “junk.” He may find twaddle funny at times or want to get them from the library occasionally, which I allow my kids to do a bit of, but they definitely “crave” the good stuff now.
It takes time, just like getting off junk food or soda, but it will happen if you stay consistent.
HTH
ETA: I, too, had to get my oldest to love reading again several years ago and My America book series helped with that and Gary Paulsen books. He’s on to higher level books now (albeit he still struggles with reading), I had to do something to open that door years ago. Lamplighter audio books were also a hit.
I have no problem with allowing simpler, lower level books for fun. My dd12 who can read most anything will grab a stack of wonderful picture books at times. Easy does not equal twaddle. While every family has their own level of tolerance, for our family there is no room for twaddle.
It is always great to hear advice from you wonderful ladies when I am struggling with what to do. I agree missceegee that there are so many wonderful books and so little time. I honestly don’t think he has ever read a “good” book so I have great hopes he will learn to love them.
srlord, I actually have both of those books already bought so we may start with those. 🙂
It helps to get suggestions that other boys have enjoyed!!
Thank you thank you for your help!!!
Super Duper Twaddle!! My kids just got out of public too and they are very popular there. It is about a 12 yr old in public school and all his woes of public school life. Boogers, farts, and public humiliation and such and the big brother bully etc.. My second grader was checking them out to read!! ugh. I transitioned him to Hank the Cowdog. Even my daughter likes Hank. Now we are on to better things. Best of Luck.
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