How Do I Find Books My Child Will Like?
With so many books available today, determining the perfect reads for your specific child can feel like a monumental task. Whether it’s themes, too many pictures or not enough, writing style, subject matter, or genre, your kid probably has tastes of their own that also contribute to the decision-making process. In this article, we want to strive to remove some of the stigma around reading levels and assure parents, teachers, and caretakers that all kids are different.
When determining your child’s reading level, start with their interest. Not everyone enjoys reading, even as adults. Plus, some people still prefer animated media (like comic books and graphic novels), or audio mediums (like podcasts and audiobooks) to traditional novels. The research shows that reading is good for your brain, but don’t count your kid out if they give up on certain books easily. You may need to find what suits them to help them be interested in reading.
Start Early and Small
The younger your kid is when you begin with them, the better. While this isn’t possible for everyone, and teachers do a lot of this lifting in their classrooms, if you are a parent with the resources to read to your children, the benefits abound. As you read with a young child, you can start to get a sense of what interests your kids. Do they prefer adventure stories to stories with morals? Do they have certain subjects that appeal to them, for example, trucks and cars or mermaids? Reading with youngsters is a give and take of you both learning what you like and what your child likes.
Encourage Your Child to Do Research
As your kid grows, encourage them to look into books that interest them. If their friends at school are all reading graphic novels, allow them to peruse some for themself. You can also encourage them to check out certain books that appeal to you at their age. This opens up avenues to discuss plotlines and themes as your child progresses.
Be Okay With Trying the Wrong Books
Some kids love Percy Jackson, some kids don’t. Some kids live for DogMan and CatKid, others could leave it. Some kids have read every Wings of Fire book, and some wouldn’t want to read fantasy if their life depended on it. It’s okay if your kid doesn’t finish a book and chooses to move on to something else. Not every book appeals to every person and kids are no different.
Every book is a new adventure. Encourage your child to take a trip into a new world with a good story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some popular books for middle school kids?
The Wings of Fire Series is a top-rated book series for middle-grade kids. While Dog Man and Cat Kid tend to appeal to younger audiences, middle school children love to read them as well.
Who is the Far From Home Series geared towards?
Aimed at kids 9-14, the Far From Home Series is a coming-of-age story about a middle-school girl. It follows her on a journey through the mythical land of LeeCee.