An Exhortation

A couple of weeks ago, I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid (see my other blog for a thorough review of this book) as I was curious to see why this series has been so popular in recent years. I was appalled. I would not want my child to read this book. I immediately began to wonder why so many other parents allowed their children to read it. After perusing many reviews - written by parents, teachers, and librarians - several themes began to emerge. I would like to take some time to address one of the most common arguments and exhort all of us to adopt a different approach to raising good readers.

Argument: "This book is not great, but if it gets reluctant kids to read, then that's good."

Response: In an era when the average child spends many hours per day watching television and playing video games, you frequently hear this argument. We assume that reading anything at all is better than reading nothing. I am a huge advocate of reading, yet I disagree with this sentiment.

Let us consider a food analogy. If given a choice, many children would prefer to eat junk food as opposed to healthier options. However, a responsible parent would not yield to this desire and respond with the attitude, "Well, it's not great, but at least my child is eating something." Parents know that this approach is not healthy for their children. And yet this is exactly our attitude when it comes to reading. We assume that something - even if it is degenerate - is better than nothing.

In my opinion, the ideas and images to which we expose ourselves are ultimately more affecting than even the food we consume. If we aspire to become wiser people, then we ought to pursue what is good and true. I do not mean that we should only read books that agree with our value system, but I would encourage parents to use more discernment. If we want our children to grow into men and women of character, we need to guide them toward literature that fosters admirable values and supplies honorable role models.

Given the above argument, what can parents do to inspire reluctant readers to partake of quality literature? The short answer is: expose them to it. Practically speaking, here are some specific steps parents can take to support their struggling reader.

1. Be aware of what your child is reading and interact with him about his book choices. If there is a book that is very popular, and your child really wants to read what his peers are reading, at the very least be prepared to discuss the content with him. For example, if my child were reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid, I would be asking him what he thinks about Greg: "Is he a good friend?" "Does he do the right thing? Why or why not?" "What motivates him to act?" It is through this type of discussion that we teach our children what is right, true, and valuable.

2. Find someone whose judgement you trust and ask for book suggestions. Then, when your child visits the library, provide him with a list of titles and authors to help guide his search. Having been an elementary school teacher, I know how little time librarians and teachers have available to help students choose quality books. Without this adult guidance, children usually turn to their peers for recommendations.

3. Read out loud to your child. This activity does not have to end when your child is able to read by himself. Not only can this be a wonderful bonding experience, but it provides a natural way for you to introduce your child to books that you believe are worthwhile.

4. Obtain books on CD so that your child can experience stories that may otherwise be above his reading level. Your local library can be a valuable resource in this regard.

5. Familiarize yourself with children's literature, both past and current. Be prepared to suggest alternatives and introduce new genres.

Some children will never be great readers, but we should continue to motivate them. Help your child to discover the joys of reading great literature - books that expand our horizons, foster creativity, and inspire us to be better people. And, in the midst of it all, always remember that being a wise person is ultimately more important than being a prolific reader.