Reply to What does your 4th or 5th grader like to read that isn’t complete crap?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Disagree that “forcing” them to read something is damaging.  That isn’t true, not exactly.  They don’t know what they are missing out on because they haven’t been exposed to better literature. It’s your job as a parent to provide this exposure, even if they are reluctant.

Next time they go to the library. They can pick a graphic novel, but they also need to pick another type of novel. Give them a list of options or ask the librarian for a recommendation based on other books they’ve enjoyed.  There is no reason they can’t read both graphic novels AND better literature.  Get a second copy and you read it too and make a book club out of it.

I would also encourage you to read aloud to them nightly too.  It’s another great way to expose them to better quality literature they’ve enjoyed won’t or can’t read on their own [/quote]

+1 we are also a no graphic novel family. I always encourage good quality literature. I don’t ban graphic novels, but have never suggested them to my kids. My oldest was exposed to his first graphic novel in middle school AAP - shockingly. He thought it was a joke. The regular classes were also doing it. I guess it was easier for the teacher. Both of my kids are now strong students, AAP and honors/AP kids. [/quote]

FWIW I'm a PP who makes my kids read quality literature and only sometimes lets them read cupcake books. [b]There are good graphic novels out there.[/b] We don't only read them (at all), but my kids have enjoyed comic book retellings of Shakespeare and ancient myths (Marcia Williams), Ben Hatke's graphic novels, books and books of comics like Calvin and Hobbes or Garfield, and Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword among others. Is it all I want my kids to read? No. Is it fine? Yes. They also read a ton of amazingly illustrated Caldecott picture books when that was age appropriate. I mean - Paul O. Zelensky's illustrations or Bagram Ibatoulline's could easily hang in an art museum.[/quote]

I don’t doubt it. I just don’t know anything about what makes a good graphic novel and I don’t care to take the time to research it. Like I said, if my kid happens to pick up a graphic novel, I don’t ban it. But they haven’t picked them up on their own and generally read the books I suggest, which are a combo on Newberry medal and ones I grew up with. They’ve been fully satisfied and engaged with those.[/quote]

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