I am wondering what books your children read? My dd is going into 4th grade. She has had many problems learning to read, stemming from a hearing problem that has since been corrected (the hearing problem). She still loves Junie B Jones. Though it is getting easy for her to read I don't "force" her to read harder books. I have a librarian friend who thinks this is awful & she should be reading more "age appropriate" books. As she told me "by 5th grade her daughter had read Harry Potter". It offends me that she compares them. I'm wondering what your kids read & do you pick what they read? TIA.

I feel as long as they're reading and enjoying it, I don't push it. My girls like to read and they read everything from chapter books to simple picture books. Depends on their moods and the book itself. My girls are 8 and 10 and like Junie B., Hannah Montana chapter books, High School Musical chapter books, my youngest loves animal books.
I don't think the librarian/friend should make you feel that your daughter should be reading what her daughter read.
If they can develop a love or at least an appreciation of books and reading, they'll read harder books as time goes by, IMO. That's been true of both of my kids.
I also think of myself and what I like to read. Many times, I want a quick read and not a five thousand page book. Kids are no different! They may want a harder book that takes longer sometimes and other times they may want a quick read.

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Beverly Cleary books are always good. My kids read them starting in 2nd grade through the 4th grade. I also agree with letting kids read what interests them; skill will come with practice.

My daughter who is going into 5th this year loved reading - Amber Brown books - sure she read one of the Harry Potter books, BUT - didnt enjoy it as well as the other books she reads. There is a lot of emphasis in the school (ours anyways) on reading - and for good reason. Truth be told, so long as she is reading, doesn't matter what she reads - be happy she does!

Besides, the Junie B Jones books has alot of reading in them.

One thing I have learned it that while these kids like to read (or not) they hav eto find an author or topic that they can get into - just like me. It can take me 10 books before I find one I like. I have found this with my 2 dd's ages 10 and 11 as well. Take her to a Half Price Bookstore and go into the clearance section. Let her look thru the books. For a $1 or 50 cents you can get her some books to try. She may find some she likes.

No need to feel the pressure, we all read and like different things.

katamasmom

between 2nd and 4th grade, they liked Junie B Jones, Magic Tree House, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Hannah Montana chapter books and a lot of non fiction science ones (animals, weather, rocks, etc).

And your librarian friend is being an insensitive butt. The more you force a child out of their comfort zone, the more they resist and do not want to read at all. I had a kid reading Harry Potter by 2nd grade and my other dd at the same age could barely do Junie B Jones by the end of that year. All kids learn at different speeds and someone in her position should actually have a clue!

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mommytolu,

Your daughter is far better off to have a mom (you) who is willing to work with her where she is, than push the traditional leveled agenda of this librarian lady...and the librarian is doing a real disservice to any reader if she frowns on different emerging reader abilities.

A lot of kids in your daughter's age range love Junie B. Jones - especially because of the funny way Junie B puts her own sentences together! Kids love to pick up on (and even correct) the grammatical errors and the silly phrases Junie uses. I'd encourage her to read any and all of the Junie B. books. These are still helping with her reading fluency, and her self-confidence as an independent reader.

Other books you might like are from the "Horrible Harry" series by Suzy Kline. My daughters (entering 3rd and 4th grade this year) still look for these books, too. They also like Cam Jansen books (about a young girl with a photographic memory who helps solve mysteries - written at about the same level as the Stepping Stone books).

Also - Louis Sachar "Marvin Redpost - is He a Girl?" and other books by L.S. about Marvin Redpost.

In the last few weeks, my oldest has become interested in reading Judy Blume - they started with "Freckle Juice" and have been reading "Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing," "Otherwise Known as Sheila, the Great" and "Superfudge."
The Judy Blume books might be a little bit harder than the Junie B. Jones books, but they are equally funny to kids, and my girls just love when we take turns reading them aloud to each other (I'm usually reading a page, then DD reads a paragraph...).

Any reading is great! And all opportunities you take will help her to develop a love of reading, and improved reading ability.

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My daughter loves the Junie B series but she is just entering 2nd grade. Her 1st grade teacher only allowed them to read 1 Junie B book because she said Junie uses bad grammar. She was a real tough teacher. Does your daughter like the American Girl stories? I have older son so not much help for you.

Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books are timeless and wonderful! However, Judy Blume has some "mature" books so make sure you preview what she reads (anyone remember reading Forever?)

Here are some fun newer book series out that your daughter might enjoy:

Disney Fairies Series by various authors (Kiki Thorpe, Laura Driscoll, Gail Herman, etc.)
Judy Moody Series by Megan McDonald
Franny K. Stein Series by Jim Benton
My Weird School Series by Dan Gutman
Ivy & Bean Series by Annie Barrows
Clementine Series by Sara Pennypacker
Emma Series (Only Emma, Super Emma, etc.) by Sally Warner
Little Genie Series by Miranda Jones

Also, most of the popular Disney Channel shows have book series that go along with them and they are 3rd-5th grade level: Hannah Montana, Drake & Josh, High School Musical, Zack & Cody.

This is great advice. The Beverly Cleary books are favorites in our household, along with several other series for our first and fourth graders. The Magic Tree House set is always popular, along with Star Wars, Horrible Harry (author Suzy Kline) and of course, classic Hardy Boys.

I think the Captain Underpants series is geared a bit more toward boys, but our whole family read one chapter a night just before bed and I believe the adults laughed the hardest. Those things are hilarious!

If you daughter is feeling up to the challenge, maybe she could try the Little House on the Prairie or Nancy Drew series?

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One thing I've done for my kids when they have been reluctant to try a book out of their comfort zone is jump start it for them. Even my 13 year old will let me do this. I read the first chapter or two to them. I always try to stop at a point where they will WANT to continue. Usually when something exciting is about to happen is when I stop. Nine times out of ten, they will pick it up to read for themselves.

I think parents typically stop reading to their children when they can read on their own but I think this is a mistake. I have four kids so I have a hard time finding something that apppeals to everyone. Right now, I'm focusing on dd-10 and we are reading Princess Academy. She has picked it up and read several chapters on her own but it seems she is enjoying my reading to her. She is reading other books during this time.

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Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

My dd is also entering fourth grade and some of her current favorite book series are:
Katy Kazoo Switcheroo by Nancy Krulik
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Disney Fairies
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Wayside School series by Louis Sachar

These are all quick reads for her so she throws in a longer, more challenging book every week. DD picks out most of her own books but I like to offer recommendations for the more challenging books -- ones that I loved as a child or know are classics that she might not pick out on her own.

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"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
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my 5th grader just read a WOW book from the series, he doesnt like a lot of book. he looks through paperbackswap.com and picks things out

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This is a great suggestion. Thanks for sharing.

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My dd is also going into fourth grade. She likes the Baby Sitter Club's Little Sister books. They are a little easy for her age, but I think your daughter may like them.

Kathie

DS1 is going into the 4th grade too. He just finished the Spiderwick Chronicals and is now reading all the Narnia books. DS2 is trying to read the Harry Potter books but they are very advanced for him (he is 7). I am letting him try because I do not want to tell him he can't read something.

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My DD, 10, loves the Animal Ark series and the Pet Sitters Club series. They're very quick reads for her, but perfect for the summer. Your DD might like them, especially if she's an animal lover.