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Choosing Literature For Your Children
How do you go about choosing literature for your child? With so many books available, it is possible and preferable to find books that your students will enjoy. Not only does that make the learning process more enjoyable, but also more effective.Here is a general rule of thumb for choosing literature that most people know but don't always want to admit: Male students usually prefer stories with men or boys as the main character; female students prefer main characters who are girls or women. Are there exceptions to this rule? Yes, there are many and we could all think of numerous exceptions. However, as much as those who strive for a gender neutral society might not like to admit; more often than not that general rule of thumb is true. So one very simple starting point in your search is to look for classical literature whose main character is the same gender as your student. And what is the value of classic literature? One might well ask what is the definition of classic literature, but I'll just make it simple. If we define classic literature as any book that remains in print for more than fifty years (a simple definition indeed!) it would indicate that such books are so valuable that they continue to be in demand. Popular literature, in contrast, comes and goes with the trends. Now, of course, there may be a popular book that gets printed this month that will become a classic with time. There's no rule that one needs to read only the older books. However, while searching for the best, it is a great place to start. Besides standing the test of time and demand for reprinting, classical literature offers other benefits. These include qualities such as moral dilemmas, character development, and the use of literary elements. Other sources of great picks include your local library (they have lists) as well as teacher's websites. Our choice for classic literature is the Dover Thrift Classic series. This provides not only great quality literature but very reasonable prices. We have chosen the books we feel have appropriate content. Of course, even the best books may have some content or messages that some could argue are inappropriate. However, we feel the value of the main message makes these books worthwhile. Nonetheless, we have tried to mark some books that may have offensive content. Since these books have survived the definition of classic literature, they would all be available through your local library. Or you may purchase them here or from other suppliers. These books are listed by approximate reading level. Your student's actual reading level may be higher or lower.
One strategy for struggling reader's is to read an easy version which is edited at a lower reading level. If the student enjoys that book, have them read the original unabridged version. Their comprehension will be aided by the fact they have read and enjoyed the story. I believe all of the books from 3rd grade up are of sufficient quality to be interesting even to an adult. Therefore, these are books you can choose for fun for a more advanced reader. For instance, a high schooler who is an avid reader could read the books on the lower level for pleasure, but study the books at the high school level.
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