School's Out for the Summer

A few weeks ago a mother asked what she could do with her pre-teens for summer entertainment. I would like to suggest reading, even though people normally tune out the minute reading is mentioned. Like, 'yeh, yeh, we've been reading since about 4,000 B.C. - don't you have anything new?" I don't mean reading all the time, but only casually after a day's worth of activities, in the airconditioning, relaxed on the couch, maybe for an hour. A kind of home version of drop everything and read programs used at school.

The kiddos may not like it, but they need to do it, like brushing their teeth. It correlates with every skill necessary for success in the modern world from the ACT to getting a driver's license to finding information in the Internet (you are reading this, after all). If someone asked a pre-teen to put on a virtual helmet and experience King Arthur's court, he would shout "hecks yeah!" But, they can do the very same thing within their very own video camera of the mind's eye by reading a book. Reading exercises the mind's creativity and imagination, instead of relying on Steven Speilberg's (which, ok, is a pretty good one).

Pre-teens hopefully do not have a mandatory summer reading list. They still have the leisure of choosing their own subject matter. Check to see if your pre-teen has read these books. They are some of my all time favorites. You probably have ones you would add from your own childhood - let me know:

Nancy Drew Mysteries - I can't wait for the Nancy Drew movie! If your daughter hasn't read any of the Nancy Drew books, get her one before or after the movie debutes.

The Chronicles of Narnia - all volumes. Most people are very familiar with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, since it has been made into a movie several times, but the whole series is fabulous.

His Dark Materials Trilogy - This is for the seriously metaphysical pre-teen through adult reader, inspired by John Milton's Paradise Lost. A very philosophical student loaned me his to read and I loved it. The first of the three, The Amber Spyglass, is due out as a movie December 2007 starring Nicole Kidman as the chilling Mrs. Coulter. Just got rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The books are a coming-of-age story following a young girl, Lyra Bellaqua, who sets out from Oxford to rescue her friend Roger. The other two books are The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. They are very serious stuff.

Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid - I am buying several copies of this book for both my pre-teen nephew, Noah, and my friends who haven't completely grown up yet. By the author of the Lemony Snickett series, which is also a great one, his "truths" are fantastic advice for the pre-teen in everyone. It's easy to read, not very long. A fun, fun book.

The Dangerous Book for Boys - authors Con and Hal Iggulden expected to get boos from parents for this book. Instead it has gone into its fifth printing. I LOVE the chapter on making bows and arrows, as I always used to do that when I was in my tomboy phase. A great book for dads and sons - in fact, might be a good Father's Day present.

Those are just a few suggestions. The readings don't have to be perfect, the whole book doesn't have to be finished. I am a firm believer that, just as virtue ethics are not dead (it's the trying that counts), reading is not dead, either (it's the trying that counts). If your child thinks the book is boring, get another one and keep trying!!