David Copperfield as a family read-aloud

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  • October 5, 2012 at 7:39 pm
    teachme2learn
    Participant

    Would David Copperfield be an appropriate read-aloud for children between the ages of 10-17 and 3-5 year-old tag-alongs?  I have never read anything from Dickens personally and am excited to give it go.

    October 5, 2012 at 8:08 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    I am reading it to myself right now and it’s taking a good long while. Now that’s probably because I have so many books going right now and would add another if I could, not the norm, I’m sure. (I just added another for my kiddos. The Wind in the Willows or Great Expectations were my most recent choices, they chose The Wind in the Willows.)

    My oldest is younger than your oldest by about 4 years so I wouldn’t be adding that to our list yet, but will someday. I think everyone should at least try to read it.

    ETA: computer was crazy just now..sorry.

    I was going to add that I’m sure others have read it as a read aloud. I know Michelle (bookworm) has but not sure of their ages or how long they chose to read it.

    HTH

    October 5, 2012 at 9:00 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I read it this last year to an 11yo, a 15yo and a 17yo and it was a huge hit.  The preschoolers won’t get much out of it, and it will likely take you MONTHS, but it is an awesome book and IMO worth the investment.

    October 5, 2012 at 10:06 pm
    teachme2learn
    Participant

    Great!  Another question, if you don’t mind.  How often did you read the book and for how long?  I would like to know what would be reasonable.

    Thank you

    October 5, 2012 at 10:24 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    We tried to read every night for 20 to 30 minutes.  Since I have busy on the go teenagers, that didn’t ALWAYS work.  We may have only averaged 4 nights a week at some times of the year. 

    October 5, 2012 at 11:01 pm
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    Just as a heads-up, the first part of it is rather depressing because of all the misfortunes that befall the boy. But if you keep going, it gets better and you see how it all fits together. I only mention it because we started reading it, and after a few chapters of hard times, my girls were concerned that it would be a very depressing book and didn’t want to continue it. Since then I have finished it myself and am encouraging them to give it another try, now that I know the rest of the story. 

    October 6, 2012 at 3:18 am
    teachme2learn
    Participant

    Thank you ladies, your tips are very appreciated.

    October 6, 2012 at 12:51 pm
    jeaninpa
    Participant

    We did it as a read aloud in the abridged version. Typically I avoid abridged versions, but we saw it as a play and my children were interested in knowing more and we didn’t have the time then to read the unabridged.  We all enjoyed it very much and hope to someday read the “real” thing.

     

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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