Why Your Child Needs the Summer Reading Program at the Library

Since I can remember, I have been involved in the summer reading program at my local public library.  When I was a little girl I remember taking out books and returning them read so that I could earn prizes, and I have enjoyed every moment of being a parent of summer reading program participants. My library still has the awful orange hard plastic oval 70s chairs that I loved when I was growing up. But it wasn't the prizes that that were important....and it wasn't even reading the books.  The most important part of the summer reading program was reporting books to the librarian, and being present in the library for all the programs they offered (and spinning until dizzy in the awful plastic oval chairs).

The summer reading program is free (and so is the air conditioning...).

Programs

Most, if not all, summer reading programs have more than just book reporting.  Many have special events and visitors.  Please take them up on the invitation. Not only does it teach and engage children, but I'll give you a hint...it eats up at least two or three hours a week.  Every Friday morning my library has Books and Bagels.  The kids munch on bagels while the world's coolest kid's librarian reads stories. He's awesome...he has an awesome goatee, plays guitar, and looks like he's the front man in a grunge band (it's great to watch "Kurt Cobain" sing Laurie Berkner's We Are the Dinosaurs).  The books might be for young children, but it engages all the kids for the entire half hour (and if bribing them with bagels and juice gets them there, so be it!).  Listening to someone read teaches children how to read themselves.  It teaches tone, inflection, pacing, and fluency.  I don't care how old your kids are...READ TO THEM and let others read to them.

Our library has visitors.  Below is my daughter in her bee suit (her father is a beekeeper and she helps) when a representative of a Beekeeping Association came to talk to the kids about the importance of bees.  They brought observations hives, honey, and a lot of information. Your kids will learn so much from visitors AND they will learn to be good listeners and good audience members, lessons that are sorely needed in today's society. 

Book Reporting

Reading is the most important skill all children need to master, but being responsible for analysis, comprehension, and the ability to discuss what was read is more important than most realize.  In my opinion, mastering these skills is what gave me an edge in school...even all the way to college.

The key to this is having both a good library program and a great librarian.  A good librarian will ask you what your favorite part of the book was.  A great librarian will ask you why it was your favorite.  A good librarian will ask you what the plot was.  A great librarian will ask you if you've ever read a book that had a similar plot.  A good librarian just writes the titles of the books down and sends you on your way.  A great librarian suggests additional books that have the same subject as the books you liked.

A great librarian realizes that a child might be reporting on information he/she doesn't know, and asks the child to teach him/her.

We are fortunate.  We have great librarians.

What do you do if you don't have a great librarian?  Fill in.  Below are some fabulous questions to use when discussing books with your children. And remember, do NOT ask close ended questions, questions that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no."

Universal Questions for Book Reporting

1. What did you enjoy about this book?
2. What have you read that is similar to this book?
3. What are some of the major themes of this book?
4. What do you think the author was trying to accomplish with this novel?
5. Who was your favorite character? What did you appreciate about him/her?
6. Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? What is he or she willing to figtht for?
7. At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters?
8. What is stronger in the book: plot or character development? Why? Do you think this was intentional on the part of the author?
9. Have you ever experienced anything similar to the action of this novel?
10. Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not?
11. What are your concerns about this book?
12. How did you feel about the main character?
13. What are the most important relationships in the book?
14. What makes a minor character memorable?
15. What are the most revealing scenes?
16. Are any of the events in the book relevant to your own life?
17. What did you think of the style of the writer?
18. Was the story credible? The characters credible?
19. Did you find any flaws in the book?
20. Compare the hardcover and paperback covers. Which one do you like better? Why?

Created in part with funds granted by the Oregon State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library. Send feedback to Katie O'Dell, School-age Services Manager

READING TIME!!

Make sure to have your children read silently for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day (a half an hour is better) and it won't hurt for you to read to them for another 15.  That's a half an hour out of each day!