[CarrieMF]

What kinds of books do your 7 & 8yo's read?

I am curious as my neighbor makes her dd's do book reports daily and as punishments. Her dd's are 8 & 6(I'm not sure if the 6yo has to do the report but she does have to read books).

I was at their house when they were getting books to for their reports and they were picking out Dr. Seuss type books.

Now I think doing the book report isn't a bad idea for my dd to do to practice her printing(not as a punishment, I don't think that's right) but my dd is reading books like Charlotte's Web, The Magic School Bus Chapter books, Little House in the Big Woods, Harry Potter. So her reports would be more of once a week, yk.

It got me thinking what other kids her age are reading. I know in school last year they were saying my dd was advanced in her reading but I'm still curious and a little proud considering this neighbor has made her dd's do homework for 20-30minutes a day since they were 3 and sent them to a preschool that specialized in putting them through K at ages 3 & 4.

 

[kewb]

She has them write book reports as punishment? How exactly does that foster a love of reading?

My 8 year old ds reads anything by Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. He just started a book on Greek Mythology-short stories of some of the popular ones, Magic Schoolbus (I learned a lot about bats and whales), and he will still pick up a storybook like Raining with a Chance of Meatballs.

 

[Twocoolboys]

My 7 year old reads mostly chapter books, too. He just finished a Star Wars chapter book, likes the modern Hardy Boys and loves Harry Potter, but I don't think he is up to reading the later books in that series yet. He has outgrown Captain Underpants, but still likes them for a quick read and a quick laugh. He does like the Magic Treehouse books too, but seems to always chose those only if nothing else appeals to him at the library - like if there are not any Star Wars books in- lol.

Reading as punishment sounds so counter-productive. That should be their reward! We love, love, love reading in our house!

 

[CarrieMF]

Quote:

Reading as punishment sounds so counter-productive. That should be their reward!

I agree. It is a great way to make kids hate something they should love.

 

[Trinitty]

Oh! I can't wait to share books with our children!

Black Stallion series.

Anne of Green Gables.

Black Beauty.

Ramona Quimby books.

Wizard of Earth Sea series.

The Neverending Story.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

 

[Jess A]

My son will be 7. He is a HUGE fan of non-fiction . . . weather, how things work, volcanos, etc. He likes the Stage 4 Readers (the ones in chapters).

He also loves the Magic Treehouse books. Can read one in a couple hours--takes after me!

This year, I'm going to start introducing him to the longer chapter books--we're going to read together before bed. We're going to continue with the Harry Potter series and I'm going to start some Dahl with him. I think I'll do some E.B. White eventually, too.

In my "former life" I was an English teacher. Reading and writing for punishment just turns my stomach to no end.

 

[mammastar2]

Smart kids - if I were supposed to read and report back as punishment, I'd stick to picture books, too!

My 7 yo is very into Harry Potter right now, and also enjoys non-fiction about the animal kingdom, e.g. Eyewitness books.

I will say, though, that there is a huge range of reading ability at that age. I've also volunteered with second graders at a school, and there are plenty of kids who are still at the 'sounding out' phase, Dr. Seuss, etc. Some kids, it may be because they don't come from families with a positive experience with books, but others, it's just developmentally where they're at. They may become extremely fluent when they're 9 or 10.

 

[CarrieMF]

Quote:

Smart kids - if I were supposed to read and report back as punishment, I'd stick to picture books, too!

lol

They don't have older books than the Dr. Seuss ones which really surprises me for her regarding books, but otoh she tends to treat her kids younger than they are in other areas.

but I still haven't bought the 8yo a bday present from her bday on Fri so I may get her some today.

 

[doulatara]

My just-turned-seven daughter reads Roald Dahl, Amelia Bedilia, Beverly Cleary, Pippi Longstocking, Junie B. Jones (I am not a fan of Junie B!) and Nancy Drew books mostly unassisted. Sometimes she has questions on particular words, and other times I think she just prefers to be read aloud to. Books like Harry Potter and the Narnia series require a lot more help, though. The range in dd's class for reading levels is huge...there is a wide range of what is considered normal for the age. (most of dd's classmates are older sevens.)

That is awful that she uses book reports as punishment. I have a hard time minding my own business when it comes to stuff like that...I would just *have* to say something if I were around her!

 

[sehbub]

My niece is 11 now, but when she was 8 she read everything from Junie B. Jones to Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prarie (my personal fave as a kid) and The Lord of the Rings series, starting with the Hobbit. She desperately wanted to see the movies, but my sister told her she needed to read the books first so that she would understand the subject matter. My niece spent a month reading the Hobbit, keeping a list of all the words she didn't know, and that night she'd look up all the words and then write definitions in the margins. After that, the rest of the series took about a month total.

Then again, she's a sixth grader (soon!) reading at an almost 10th grade level, so we're not all that surprised.

That kid was so excited when she found out the Library of Congress in DC has over 27 million books. A bookstore is her heaven.

 

[nancyw]

my 8 yr old loves reading the american girl books right now.

I really didnt want to get involved with these because I saw it as a big marketing scheme thing, but the books in and of themselves dont promote the dolls (unless you let them).

what we've found is that they are ABSOLUTELY FABULOUSly historical books, taking you through detailed lives of fictional girls starting with the revolution.

what a sad sad shame that mama is using books for punishment. way to screw up a deeply satisfying life long pathway for learning and enjoyment.

 

[Tinas3muskateers]

Ok my son is reading Dr. Seuss stuff yet... but he is in learning support for reading. He was low average last year. He has been reading a lot this summer so we hope he starts to improve. I dont want him going from Dr.S to Charolettes web, what are some inbetweeners ?

 

[Twocoolboys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinas3muskateers I dont want him going from Dr.S to Charolettes web, what are some inbetweeners ?

The Danny and the Dinosaur books are good beginning chapter books. They still have lots of pictures and just a few sentences on each page. There is also a series called 'Mr. Putter and Tabby' which is cute. I know there are many books that have a similar format - about 4 chapters, lots of pictures, and a few sentences on each page. We had a Spiderman book with this format too. Maybe you could ask your librarian for more ideas.