Seize the Moment
Posted by Liza's Journal at 1/4/2008 11:54 PM and is filed under uncategorized 
I had a great conversation with Jon Scieszka today. Yesterday I wrote about his appointment as the first ambassador of children's books. As I was writing that blog, I decided that in my capacity as a parenting writer/children's book industry expert I really need to write an article about the topic of reluctant readers. As luck would have it, my editor at Newsday called to ask if I could pull together an article quickly and offered me the chance to write what I want. Serendipity. So, I'm writing the piece now after speaking with Jon, children's librarians and a representative of the National Endowment of the Arts (which published the study, To Read or Not to Read in November, www.nea.gov/news). My article will appear in Newsday on Jan. 13th, so I'll provide the link that day. But can I just say how exciting it is to be involved in the world of children's books? All that we do has the power to positively impact children, and that's heady stuff.
I think its really great that there is an ambassador of children's books. What does that even encompass?
I look forward to reading your article on reluctant readers as that is a real problem with children. Although I would think teens fall prey to reluctant reading more often than younger kids do. Many teens do read (otherwise there would be no market for young adult books), but more don't. They don't even bother to read books assigned for school, opting instead for the basic plot summaries offered by spark notes. This even happens in AP English classes. It is incredibly frustrating.
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From what Jon told me, it means he'll be working with the American Library Association, the Children's Book Council, and other related organizations to try to stimulate interest in reading among, as you rightly point out, the older kids. Part of his goal is to create a list of recommended books for reluctant readers. There is already a list for teens at www.ala.org.ala/yalsa/booklistawards/quickpicks/07topten.cfm, but not for middle schoolers and younger. What Jon and others who are concerned about this issue have found is that once kids are reading more independently, usually around middle school, many tend to see reading as yet one more school assignment. And there is so much competing for your time, from afterschool activities to communicating online with friends, not to mention the ridiculous amounts of homework kids have to deal with. But studies show that the older you get the more you need to read an entire book so that you have a better understanding of complex materials. Believe it or not mastering the basic skill of reading comprehension is a good indicator of how you'll do in the work force. It's all connected. So a love of reading at a very young age can be an indicator of financial success as an adult. Who knew that it could be that important to read books? Thanks for sharing your comments about this.
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Huh--reluctant readers. I feel like the very basic and central reason for why people (yes, people, not just children and teens) don't read is the literature given to us at school. There is such a huge and fascinating world of literature and schools across America teach the exact same John Steinbecks and Shakespears, excluding anything even remotely current or outside Europe. The "fun" books we see in stores are poorly written exaggerations of teen life. I think we can do better than that. If we were exposed to a wider variety of books as children we might have more faith in the bookstores to carry something that interests us. It's an interesting topic--congratulations on getting the article! I look forward to reading it on the 13th.
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Thanks for writing, Jane. I totally agree that it's not just kids who can be reluctant readers. In fact, often their parents also don't enjoy reading, so it's not surprising that the kids don't find it all that entertaining. I also agree that schools seem limited in what they offer students to read, but I don't think that's their fault. They have to teach to all those ridiculous standardized tests that students have to endure. But there is always a place for Steinbeck and Shakespeare, both of whom, among other wonderful authors, can help shape a person's thoughts on society and culture, and even simply improve their own reading comprehension. What I enjoyed about reading literature in school was that I either wouldn't have known about those authors had they not been assigned, or I wouldn't have considered reading them any other way. Then I would have missed out, something I appreciate more now. I've been in a book group for 17 years and one of the things I enjoy about it is that it forces me to read books I wouldn't ordinarily have chosen for myself, like The Kite Runner. I think my openness to new literature came from my school days. But then, I've never been a reluctant reader, so I guess it's easy for me to have this opinion. As for other books for teens, I'm not a big fan of those "fun" versions either, but they have their purpose, too, in that they get kids to read who may not do so otherwise. But for people like you who enjoy and appreciate a variety of quality books, you can't go wrong with authors Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson, two of my new favorites. They're not fun, but they'll give you some faith that bookstores can carry books that interest you. Let me know if you ever get a chance to check them out.
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I know it's not the school's fault--it's that darned capitalist America! (just kidding.) In all seriousness, I think Steinbeck and Shakespeare are important to teach but combined with material that would make reluctant readers want to read more. I tend to get frustrated with reading the books assigned in school not because I'm a reluctant reader but because of my horrible time management skills. However, I'm a firm advocate of open-mindedness and believe we should be exposed to all things literature. I just think we could go beyond Shakespeare a little (Asian literature much?
Now I'm going to take a nap before I have to go to Select Chorus and, presumably, be driven to tears.
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I agree about schools offering an incredibly limited curriculum. Schools should try to diversify the books offered. Instead of having a yearly dose of Shakespeare they should try to keep the pool of authors varied. (Not that I'm saying anything against Shakespeare). And by varied I mean not just books that take place in either Europe or America. They should also offer books by authors of both genders and all races and backgrounds. If schools were to teach authors like Amy Tan or Khaled Hosseini, students could learn more about the world we live in and not just Europe and America.
Still, I doubt diversifying curriculum will solve the problem of reluctant readers. There are some people who just refuse to read anything that is given to them. I recently heard the people in my AP Lit class discussing the best sites to use to get around reading a novel. I don't understand it. I have always been able to find something of value in the books that were assigned to me. You just need to put the effort in.
And I agree Jane, it isn't just teens who have these issues. Often if adults read it will be those cheep and badly written romance novels. But people are becoming apathetic and would for the most part rather just see the movie than read the book.
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Absolutely valid and insightful comments. The thing is that for avid readers like you, me and Jane, it's inconceivable that people wouldn't be able to always find value in reading a book. But then, I don't understand why some people find value in activities like, say golf or football. I guess it all depends on your priorities. Still, I know I can get by in life without playing those sports, but I can't imagine any of us managing without good reading skills. Look for my article on Sunday in LI Kids and let me know what you think. And, keep reading!
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Hi Liza,
I thoroughly enjoyed your article in the LI Kids section yesterday.Teenagers and reading...hmmm. The good news from my parenting experience is that those kids who were readers as younger children do find time to return to leisure reading once the demands of school reading cease. The bad news is I work in a school with 1000 students and currently all 4 titles by Andersen,LH and 8 titles by Dessen,S are currently languishing on the library shelves.
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Well that's a shame. The kids are missing out. Maybe you can put them on display? Invite the authors to speak? Offer chocolate or some other incentive? Of course there are many other titles that may appeal to your student population. I just happen to be a big fan of their work.
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