I’m looking for some books to read aloud to my 9 and 12 year old girls. The youngest likes to read but my oldest hates it. I was a big reader as a kid and I feel like maybe if I do the work of reading for her I can get her into it but even if not, I would like to share meaningful stories with them both.
I’m thinking of starting with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn… what else would you recommend? I’m open to anything but I think “coming of age”, relatable stories will capture their attention most. They’re not much into fantasy. I love a good tear jerker but when we read Charlotte’s Web, my oldest was hysterical (a couple years back) and that was just at chapter 2.
I remember A Prayer for Owen Meany seriously affecting me in high school but I realized today that it’s more religious than I remembered and I can’t recall if there is anything too mature.
Also thinking about reading The Giver - that’s about as dark or sad as I would want to go at their age I think.
Would love your recommendations.
i just want to say not everyone is a reader and while i do think all children need to read more forcing your children by reading allowed to them your favorite books and not something they are interested in will only cause friction and make them hate reading. Let your child pick a book that would interest them or even a audiobook, libraries still have audiobooks in them and most can be digital on a phone tablet or computer.
your 12 year old is only going to become more stubborn the more you force the issue. Give them a option like you can stay up later if you are reading or listening to a book instead of tv or video games.
Introduce them to the library and let them pick what they want.
Just because you love reading does not mean your children will too they are their own people with their own interests.
I’m happy to read anything she wants but she’s not interested in anything so I’d like to introduce some books to her that she might end up loving. I don’t force reading on her.