What to Read?

First, go to your local library and talk to the children's librarian about your daughter. Second, I would try to sign her up for the summer reading club.

Also, ask your librarian what programs they offer children. They may have guest speakers and crafts.
Take your daughter to library book sales and watch the clearance racks at the library. Garage sales offer great prices on books.

Also, what type of reading role model are you to your child? Do you have magazines and books around the house?
Does she see you enjoying flipping through magazines?
Does she see you making trips to the library or talking about books yourself? One of the reasons I enjoy C-Span's Book TV programs is the fact they highlight certain books and the authors talk about their books.
Get the picture?

What are some of the topics your daughter enjoys? If she likes animals try books on animals. If she likes baking books, try some fun children in the kitchen books. Quality reading does not have to be heavy duty reading where the child must be glued to a book for an hour. Most of all have FUN.

Still a heavy duty reader to this day. Yes, my home is loaded with books.

1 mom found this helpful

If you have a local public library with a great kids section go there and ask the librarian. It's made a huge difference with both of my children. One suggestion we had was the Stink books...he's the brother of Judy Moody and the books are hilarious. I even like reading them with the kids!

Also, if you still see her struggling at all with her reading, see if there's a place you can take her for help. We have a wonderful facility here in my town called ACLD (All Children Learn Differently). When my daughter was in first grade it was more than apparent that she was struggling with her reading. By second grade she was in remediation. I also signed her up for tutoring at ACLD, where they found that she didn't process the information she read in the "usual" way. No matter how hard she would try, she could not remember little details in what she read. Not a disability at all...just the way her brain processed things. Like they said when they explained it to me, she's just a "big picture" person. Her tutors were able to teach her "coping skills" and how to read when taking tests so she'd be able to answer questions in class and on tests. It's made such a big difference that now in 6th grade she's in an accelerated language arts class.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,

Sorry I haven't read all the responses, so please forgive repetition. I really liked what Angela and Joyce C had to say; keep reading to her!

The Bailey School Kids books were mentioned as being very good by two 3rd grade teachers I respect. Also anything by Patricia Polacco or Avi.

A book I love to recommend is "The Quilt-Maker's Gift" by (I think) Jeff Brumbeau.

If she likes cats, I recommend "Six-Dinner Sid" by Inga (Inge?)Moore; "Ginger" by Charlotte Voake; "Charlie Anderson" (can't remember author); "Three Tales [might be Stories] You can Read to Your Cat",---hilarious, can't remember author, published by Scholastic; a bunch of books by (I think) Mary Calhoun, one is "Henry the Sailor Cat" about a Siamese who can walk on hind legs; and "Spy Cat" by Peg Kehret and Pete the Cat (very good). These aren't exactly series; but if she likes a certain book she may like others by the same author. Can you tell we like cats at our house? lol

There is also a series by (I think) Ursula K. LeGuin called "Cat-wings" about cats that have wings. It was in the children's room at our library but I don't remember the grade level.

Your children's librarian at the public library may also be able to recommend good choices.

Good luck and have fun! I read a lot of fun stuff to my boys!

K. Z.

What about NANCY DREW, OR BABYSITTERS'CLUB, and there is a series about girls and horses, and of course HARRY POTTER books, and you could ask your local librarian too.

Try The Black Stallion or the Thoroughbred series if she likes horses. Eragon is good but be ready to explain words to her. Take her to the library and let her look around, that would be my best advice for you. You may also want to try American Girl and The Royal Diaries series ( a bit of history in those) and Nancy Drew.
Good luck and be patient, one of the best things to remember in trying to get her excited about reading is to read to her!!

When I was 9 I remember reading the Little House books and also the Ramona books(Beverly Cleary). I still have fond memories of those books and I can't wait until my kids get old enough to enjoy these classics.

My son loves the Horrible Harry series. It finds it very amusing. We also try to get books that are in his interests (even if they are not a series). We also give him $5 every time he brings home those scholastic book orders. This way he always has a new book to read. I asked his teacher what level he was at and she told us right about 3.1 (this is high for second grade so be sure to speak with your daughters teacher). She reccomended books that were anwywhere from 2.8 to 3.2. Every book on the book orders are numbered. So, we just circle the books that are at his level and he can spend his $5 on any one he wants. Then I know that he is going to be interested in reading it. Also don't count out reading to her while she follows along. It has worked great for us! Good luck and God bless.

Maybe she would like Amelia Bedilia. I think it's fun to say.

Is there any tv show she likes that may have books?

I don't know if your daughter is into Spongebob but I have these books that I read to my daughter when she goes potty and they are by Scholastic. It is a 12 book phonics reading program. Each book teaches something like long a, short e, plurals, etc. I think they are like 1st or 2nd grade level but they don't really say. I bought these on ebay but I am sure they are still around. They are really cute short stories. You could go to www.scholastic.com they may have other ones out there.

Have you tried the Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne? My son loved those. Also, I have heard that A to Z Mysteries is another good series, although my kids have not read those.

I see great suggestions! To try them out the library is great. We make an outing of it and they think they are doing something special. I give them plenty of time to look around and find a book. Sometimes this takes awhile. I think this has given my kids a little extra push in wanting to read because they get to pick a book for them, not something boring that mom wants them to read or something like they have at home--even though some of the books they pick we have at home! I don't say anything, I figure if they will read it why not! It puts them in the drivers seat!

There is a wonderful series called *Puppy Place puppies need homes and if your child likes animals they are great. Another is *Wierd School Ms. Daisy is crazy about strange things happening at school. My girls really never took to Junie B

I sell Usborne Books and we sell different types of books for different ages of kids. Our books are for kids Birth -early teens.

We have books about nature, Ballet, castles, history, science (Trucks, trash and recycling, weather, why do we eat, your body, china, cowboys , pirates, firefighters), Paperbacks (Elizabeth I, knights, Planes).

We have books in different series for kids 7 and up. Various books (Series 2 and 3- would be your daughters age). Books about famous people like Martin Luther King,and Anne Frank, Hitler, Napoleon, Christopher Columbus) etc.

We have books/cd's, Ballerina series, Sandy Lane Stables series, we have True adventure stories.

Other books, (activity books, hunt and find, arts and crafts, puzzle books, cooking books, nursery rhymes, flowers,plants, story books, Seasonal, hobbies, Myths and fantasy, modern art, Music, foreign language books and English).

Check out my website:
www.ubah.com/T2267

J. R.
Educational Consultant for Usborne Books and More

Check out Gander Publishing at ganderpublishing.com for high interest low level reading materials. You can choose from a wide variety of books with a wide variety of reading levels. They are specifically designed to hold interest while deloping confidence for the reader. There is also LindaMood Bell. They offer great programs. You can find the programs at gander as well.

Hi S.-

If she is in to animals...Animal Ark books my daught cannot put down. They are Chapter books and she has been reading them for the past year and a half (there are lot of them). Good Luck!

You have already received lots of great suggestions so, I won't repeat any of those but, would add "Diary of a Whimpy Kid" series. There are 3 out so far with another coming later this year. Good luck!

Try the Magic Tree House series. You will both enjoy them.

I have 4 children and they each like there own types of books. These types even vary throughout the year. I recommend going with your child to the library or bookstore and looking at several types. When she finds one she likes, you'll both be happy.

My son loves the captain underpants series. My neice is big into the sweetvally twins and babysitter club.

It kinda depends on her interests - Is she in to sports? Animals? My daughter loves the Big Apple Barn series. She also has a set of High School Musical chapter books. My 8 year old boy loves the Captain Underpants and because they are humorous, your daughter may enjoy them, too. OR, what about the older series like Nancy Drew (if she likes mysteries) or the Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High? You could check out a sampling of different books from the library or find some at a Half Price Books store just to see what she IS interested in. If she starts a book and it isn't keeping her interest, let her know she can move on to a different one she may like better? I've found that my 8 yr. old is way more interested in reading if it's something he enjoys like Star Wars, Titanic, history, reptiles, etc. It can be frusterating when a child isn't interested in books, but it may just be because she just hasn't found what she really likes, yet. Lots of luck to you and your daughter!!!!! :)

Dear S.,
The American Girl Series is great! You can even go to the library and find the history behind them. There are recipe books, reading books,and history books about them. You can even imitate the history after each book to get her interested. If other girls are interested you could get them together and to some activities. L. J

I dont' know if they are still popular, but my girls enjoyed Babysitter Club, and Babysitter's Club little sister. You might give one of these a try. Also, what about Magic Treehouse books.
R.

My daughter is 8 and is in the 2nd grade. She likes to read the Nancy Drew series. She also likes the Pony Pal Club series and the Rainbow Fairies Series.

Hi, S.,

My children (9 and 6) love the A to Z Mysteries by Rob Roy. They also enjoy Magic Treehouse books and the Boxcar Children series. And what about Little House in the Big Woods? Most little girls like that series.

I don't know if they're around anymore, but when I was little, I loved the Bobbsey Twins, and the Happy Hollisters. Oh! And the book Jane Emily was one of my all time favorites! And Twin Spell. Unfortunately I can't remember the authors, but I think one of them was by Janet Lunn, maybe...? A Candle in Her Room was great, too, but she's a little young for that one yet, it might creep her out.

Also, I strongly recommend you keep reading TO her. It is very important for parents to do this, but most parents stop reading to their children once they're reading on their own. Maybe Anne of Green Gables. Read a chapter each night. A little difficult for her on her own yet, but she will love the story and she can follow along with you as you read, which will be very helpful for her. And it wouldn't surprise me if you "caught" her trying to read ahead on her own, because one chapter a night won't be enough for her!

Best of luck,
J.

Find out what types of things she's interested in. Even at a very young age, I was interested in mystery books. If she likes nature, there are books about tornados, camping etc.. If she likes animals, there are plenty of books about the different species and their habitats. If it's something interesting to her she will be more likely to read it and understand it and it will help her read things she's not so interested in too. Let her shop with you to find something interesting. And remember, it might not be in the section for her age group. It's ok if it's for a younger or older child as long as you approve of the content. You can't always go by "for ages 8 and up" etc. Good luck.

It has been a long time since my kids were that young, but I remember a book series that my youngest loved. He had a very difficult time learning to read we stumbled across, I think it was called "The Magic Tree House". If she likes adventure she would like this.

I have to agree about the Junie B books. The writting is very poor and would be best to avoid. My girls loved the American Girl series. Let her choose one of the characters (dolls) to learn about. You can even pick the books up at a discount on Amazon or on eBay.

HTH~

Peace <>< ~ B.
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'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' - Eleanor Roosevelt

my daughter likes girly books like hanna montanna or high school musical my son is the one that does not like to read or do homework he failed kindergarten, but it looks like he likes to read "diary of a wimpy kid" i think is what it is called but it seems easy to them because of the little pictures it has, and trust me those books keep his attention. hope that helps.

What types of things is she interested in? What kind of movies or TV shows does she like? There are a lot of books out there, and you could likely find something that she finds interesting. Even if it involves her reading non-fiction, how to books, comic books, it is great practice for her. (I hated novels as a kid, but I read every craft book that the library had to offer.)

If you are anywhere near the Centerville Public Library, I highly recommend their Youth Services Department. Bring your daughter with you so they can chat with her and find out what she is interested in. Good Luck!

S., have you tried GooseBumps? by R. L. Stine. My daughter loves them also Tales of a Four Grade Nothing series. Good Luck. C.

What about the American Girl Series? My daughter just loved those.

HI S.,

My daughter has the same problem with reading. she is also in the 2nd grade.

I homeschool her and I reccomend this site -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianaHomeschoolers/

Even if you aren't from Indiana and homeschool, the ladies in the group will be happy to help you with any education question you have.

I asked them about my DD and a couple of moms said that their children were the same way, that they were right hand brained, in Public school it's set up for Left hand brained children.

She will get there she just get's it slow and takes off. :-)
That is the way my dd is. :-) They also suggested word flash cards for the words she has trouble with. and within 3 weeks my dd read her first book. :-)

THe books that might get her to read is Nancy Drew. you can buy a whole set. It is fun. I bought my DD some already. :-)

If you have ANY questions, PLEASE contact me. :-)

Thanks!!
L. Kay

Magic Treehouse!! My son (9) loved them and read the whole series when he was 7 or 8.