It has been quite a long while since I updated you on my kids’ reading habits. The beginning of a new year seems like the appropriate time. So, today we’ll start with A-Read.
In school, his 5th grade class just finished Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. His teacher loaned me the book so I could read it, too. A-Read did an excellent job on his final report, I’m told. He enjoyed it, and I was happy for him to have a bit of a break from his usual fantasy books.
Actually, this has been a year of variety for him. In addition to the historical Esperanza, he has been reading plenty of Rick Riordan (of course): he’s up to date on the Heroes of Olympus series and read the first 2 Kane Chronicles. But also some non-fiction by Steve Sheinkin: Bomb and Lincoln’s Grave Robbers so far, but we just bought his most recent, The Port Chicago 50, and he has been planning to read The Notorious Benedict Arnold).
His school planned book-reading events in January, including a parent-child discussion of Wonder by 
RJ Palacio. When I brought the book home, A-Read was really excited. His class had started reading it in 4th grade, but didn’t finish, and he’d enjoyed it. We both read it a couple of weeks ago, and both got a lot out of it. (He’s disappointed that our dog won’t sleep in his bed, like Auggie’s dog, Daisy.) And A-Read did a great job in the discussion. He made some good points and made me a very proud mama.
Now he’s back to the LOTR trilogy, reading the 2nd one, The Two Towers.
He has already exceeded the reading requirement for his grade level at school.
Have you stepped out of your reading comfort zone in the past few months?
YA Author VB Tremper 
Great reading choices there! I have the Benedict Arnold book in my classroom, but I haven’t had time to read it. And I am currently reading WONDER out loud to my class.
Sounds like he’s been on some wonderful adventures. Yes, I always step out of my comfort zone. The problem with what I’m currently reading is that I don’t want it to end so I keep re-reading or slow the reading. I just don’t want to say good-bye to these characters. Ever happen to you?
I love Esperanza and Wonder! And every time I hear of someone reading LOTR, my heart just sings! My daughters and I have been reading lots of classics like The Horse and His Boy, A Wrinkle in Time, My Side of the Mountain, The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler, and Tom Sawyer. Loving rediscovering these books!
Quite a diverse reading list. I LOVED Wonder.
YES! My goodness, it’s always great to shake up what we’re reading. The last several months I’ve been receiving review requests–not because I’m a book reviewer, but just because. Well, I tell you what, I have been reading everything from YA contemporary to Adult thriller, to High Fantasy and straight up romance. I’m a firm believer that a good writer is a good reader. Period.
You know, my son just can’t get into the Riordan books for some reason. I bet he’d love the LOTR series, though!
I just started Wonder today. I’m listening to it in the car as I commute, and I laughed out loud several times in the first hour of listening. I’m looking forward to heading back to work tomorrow.