Book Club

Choosing books can be the
toughest part of having a
book club.

However, before we began
this club I read several
selections that were good,
very good, but not great
first time choices.

I didn't know who our members
would be and how they would
react to some of the content
in one book in particular.

We are about to find out!

For our April Club we have
chosen The Glass Castle by
Jeanette Walls. It is a
powerful story. Mom and
I read it back then, I am
looking forward to re-reading
it.

This is the story of a very
dysfunctional family that learns
how to survive impossible conditions.
Some of the content is harsh.
Their life was harsh.
But there was love.
No question.

To my Quarryville Book Club Readers...
The library has ordered a copy for
you and they will let you know when
it comes in.

If any readers decide to read along
with us, let me know. I want to know
how this book impacts you.
It will have an impact.
What a story...

Have a great day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Do you have a reluctant reader?

Just some hints for some of my friends who are struggling to help their little ones enjoy books....

1. Read aloud to them - they will come to associate snuggle time on the couch with books.
2. Let them pick out a bunch of books for themselves at the local library. Check them out for yourself to see what caught their eye. Maybe they don't like fiction but get all the books on horses they can find...follow those clues.
3. Now focus some time on that subject and include games, writing projects and readalouds on that subject. Keep the assignments short and sweet.
4. Find books on tape that have the storybook your child can follow along in.
5. Some libraries have books on the computer that have the pictures and text scanned in . For some reason children seem to find things more fun if they are on the computer.
6. There are many free game sites that do grammar and spelling games. Do a search and let your child play his way through the reluctant period. He is learning and you aren't fighting.
7. Don't reserve reading for "school" time. Play reading games in the car or around the house. Have them hunt for words that you know they will likely find.
8. Allow your child to draw or color while you are reading if they want to. This seems to help some children be able to focus better.
9. Talk about what you have read and take cues from your child about what sparked his interest. Follow those cues!!!

Put all of these together and things will improve for you and your reluctant reader. Your most important focus is to keep the assignments manageable (short but frequent) and enjoyable.

Hang in there!