I have been asked for suggestions
for children reading over the Summer.
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If you google the phrase ‘Summer Slump’ or ‘Summer Slide’
you will read about how research has shown that children
slip back academically over the summer holidays.
Keeping up reading over the summer is one way
to counteract this.
The following link is a comprehensive link
from New Zealand on the subject:
Summer Slide and Holiday Reading.
We can read but that does not mean we read
books like ‘War and Peace’ all the time.
By the same token children benefit by reading
books that they are easily able for and enjoy.
Books for Girls
I feel the authors we already read
during this past year, in 2nd Class
are a good starting point;
I see many of the girls enjoying books from
‘My Naughty Little Sister’ Series by Dorothy Edwards
I think that books by Anne Fine have great potential
for student reading over the summer.
These are easy reads by Anne Fine.
We have read quite a number of Anne Fine’s books
but didn’t get around to Ivan the Terrible
It looks like fun!
Here is a
As you can see many of her books
would be of interest to boys also.
I feel the books of Jacqueline Wilson have a lot of potential
for reading this summer. Her clever website has her books
laid out according to age here.
These three authors write books for younger
readers right through to young adult,
so check their suitability for your child.
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The girls in the class also recommended the ‘Alice and Megan’ series by Judy Curtain (Alice Next Door, Alice in the Middle, Alice Again etc.)
Finally Eva Ibbotson’s ‘Journey to the River Sea’ is a good book
to read to your child. Details here.
Books for Boys
Research shows whereas girls prefer fiction
that many boys have a preference for non fiction.
Though girls might like these too
boys like graphic novels,
information books,
adventure,
humour/joke books.
The ‘Guinness Book Of Records’ and
‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not’ are also popular.
As are Roddy Doyle’s ‘The Giggler Treatment’
and ‘Captain Underpants’ by Dav Pilkey.
The ‘Beast Quest’ series by Adam Blade
is popular with independent readers.
Click here to read more about Beast Quest
Then there is Irish author Kieran Fanning’s
Code Crackers series.
These books are not read from beginning to end.
Children reading these books
have to solve clues, codes, problems
and other puzzles to continue with the story.
Click here for information on the Code Cracker Series
‘The Diary of the Wimpy Kid’ and ‘Horrid Henry’
have been popular with the boys this year.
I am reliably informed that the books from
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ by Cressida Cowell
is popular with both boys and girls
Link to Cressida Cowell’s website here.
Don’t forget the classics written by Roald Dahl
or CS Lewis. The Narnia Books can be
a very satisfying choice to read to your child
at this stage.
The staff in bookshops
and your local librarian
can also be very helpful
if you ask them about books
that are popular with boys
or girls of this age.
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The local library has a great selection
and building in a fortnightly trip to the library
can be a very enjoyable part of the summer.
Finally Scholastic suggests reading the newspaper with your child.
The Scholastic website has lots of great information about
encouraging your child to read. Why not check it out!