Home Library Builder For 8-10: Great Start!

Dec 15, 2012

Ages

8-10

read together

Dec 15, 2012

Congratulations! You've taken a great step toward building a strong home library for your 8- to 10-year-old. Learn the answers to the quiz questions below, and find some tips and suggestions for ways you can build upon your current efforts. 

 

1.  How many books are in your child’s library?

Best answer:  You should try to increase the number of books in your child’s library to include more than 25 titles.  At this age, children need lots of different titles from which to choose.  You will want to select titles like these favorites to encourage your child to read a lot during free time.   Independent reading will help to solidify the skills your child is learning in school and help to develop facility in reading.  At the same time, don’t forget to continue to read to your child since it’s a natural motivator in learning to become a great reader.

2.  What percentage of non-fiction books are in your child’s library?

Best answer: You should try to increase the number of information books in your child’s library so that they make up about 50% of the total titles.  At this time in their development, children are making the transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."  You’ll want to support their interests and desires for expertise by including information books that are especially intriguing to them.  This will make your child interested in continuing to read out of school. Education expert Lauren Tarshis takes readers through the morning of September 11, 2001, in I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 from her I Survived series—a story full of teachable moments and historical touchstones. Also, try perusing some of these lists: space adventures, books about rain, art and artists, basketball books, and much more.

3. What percentage of chapter books is in your child’s library?

Best answer: You’ll want to add more chapter books to your child’s collection so that these make up 30%-50% of all titles.  The name “chapter book” refers to the fact that the stories are usually divided into short chapters, which provide readers with opportunities to stop and resume reading if their attention span drifts or if the book cannot be finished in one sitting.  Chapter books are usually works of fiction of moderate length and complexity.  R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps Most Wanted chapter book series will keep kids “frightfully” entertained as they laugh and scream their way through each book.Your child is sure to love some of these timeless chapter books.

4. How many classics should be included in my child’s library?

Best answer: Classics are wonderful to share with your newly independent reader.  Who can forget the first time you read The Boxcar Children series or Charlotte’s Web?   We recommend including about 5-10 of these timeless chapter books in your home library.  You’ll find sharing them with your child will help you discover all over again what made you a book-lover. Try the Timeless Chapter Books list to jog your memory on your most favorite titles.

5. How many magazines should be included in my child’s library?

Best answer: Magazines like Ranger Rick or Science Weekly are great additions to your library, and you should strive to include more than 5 titles in your home library.  These magazines often engage children in problem-solving activities; provide information about math, technology, and science to encourage children to use reading for informational purposes; and actually encourages book reading. 

6. How many eBooks do you have in your child’s library?

Best answer: You will want to include more eBooks for children at this age.  Increasingly, the multifaceted features of eBooks will attract them into reading, especially during these years when reading a lot will help to increase their vocabulary.  Consider including more than 5 eBooks in your child’s library. Children just love the narration, music, animation, color, and the many hyperlinks that can capture their attention. At the same time, however, it is still a good idea not to totally overwhelm your child’s library with these books.  You will still want to maintain a balance of traditional print books in your child’s library. 

7. How many picture books should be included in my child’s library?

Best answer: Even though kids this age tackle books on their own, it is still important to read together daily, so aim for 5-10 picture books you can share together in your home library.  Some picture books have sophisticated vocabulary and deeper meaning that can support their connections to books, and strengthen their ability to reflect on books in a more in-depth way.

8. How frequently should I refresh my child’s library?

Best answer: You should consider reviewing your child’s library on a monthly basis.  Refreshing a library with books related to holidays, seasons of the year, and special upcoming events makes the library come alive and highly relevant to children’s day-to-day lives. 

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Age 10
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