Chuck Black

I think they’re ok.  I wouldn’t consider them twaddle.

As far as using living books, I use living books lists- SCM, Ambleside, Sonlight, and a few blogs will list their chosen reading for the school year. And I also have used two read-aloud handbooks- The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, And Honey For a Child’s/Teen’s Heart by Gladys Hunt.

As for encouraging living books, I simply have required it from the start. My children haven’t always picked the best books on their own, (my son owns the Hunger Games trilogy and loved them, and daughter enjoys the Warriors/Survivors/Seekers series by Erin Hunter which I now regret letting her read, but thank heavens it was a passing phase), but as far as required reading for school, it is always good, quality living books. I have restrictions on the books they read, for instance, my daughter picked up a book at the library to check out that was very clearly a spirit/witchcraft sort of book and I said no. She understood and had no problem. Son, asked for a year to read Hunger Games before I relented. He was 13 or 14 I think. Often they are drawn in by an enticing cover. We never allowed our son to read Harry Potter books at all. But as a teen, he did see all of the movies, enjoyed them, and has no desire now to read the books.

Daughter, 12, is reading the little house books. Again. And she’s getting ready to read Anne of Green Gables set as well. Son, 18, has read so many classics I can’t even list them here, but I know he’s got favorites. I think the point is, that I required so much quality, living books during their reading, that they really desire the living books much more than twaddle for their free reading. I think it’s the requirement that brought on the desire over time. That’s what’s worked for us. I always reminded myself that books are media, just like tv shows, music and video games and I have every right and obligation to monitor and control what their minds take in. That has been my stand for a long time. I’ve certainly made mistakes, but I think generally, this has been a good approach for us.

I agree with previous post.  They did not seem like twaddle to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed them as well.  I enjoyed the Knights of Arrethtrae even better.  We have read through them twice and enjoyed the audio versions as well.  The audio series is excellent, with sound effects.  They are great for long road trips.