In response to a Quotation of the Day in yesterday's issue about "the real, urgent need to connect with children by age nine and turn them on to reading," Dan and Debbie Sullivan of the Book Oasis, Stoneham, Mass., write:
We wholeheartedly agree with this idea, if not younger than nine years old. Every summer we make a large effort to have as many books from as many area summer reading lists as possible. Most of these schools start their lists at 6th grade. It becomes painfully clear every year how many of these children have not read a book since their picture book days. Schools need to assign books from the 1st grade on. Kids also need to see their parents read books on a regular basis and not be discouraged by parents when they choose a book the parent feels is too long (we've actually had parents tell their children they should pick a shorter book).
We wholeheartedly agree with this idea, if not younger than nine years old. Every summer we make a large effort to have as many books from as many area summer reading lists as possible. Most of these schools start their lists at 6th grade. It becomes painfully clear every year how many of these children have not read a book since their picture book days. Schools need to assign books from the 1st grade on. Kids also need to see their parents read books on a regular basis and not be discouraged by parents when they choose a book the parent feels is too long (we've actually had parents tell their children they should pick a shorter book).