Leisure Reading

During these past six interesting months I have had the time to read for pleasure. Normally, I don’t make the time nearly as much as I should because of work and other factors. I love reading, but the lack of time often gets in the way. This past spring, I started reading some children’s literature because I love this genre. I thought the stories would be a quick read, which would then motivate me to continue reading. I was right. I started with the children’s series, The Magic Tree House, that my own child loved, and after reading some of the newer books in the series I could see why our love for the series continues. I also enjoyed the Magic School Bus series. Some of you may know that the author of this series, Joanna Cole, passed away in July. She brought fiction/non-fiction and science to a whole new level with the stories about Mrs. Frizzle and her science class, a favorite of many children/adolescents.
 
While reading these books, I often thought about gifted children and adolescents and how many of them often have a voracious appetite for reading. They often begin reading early, or if reading late, they may begin by reading entire paragraphs and can read and comprehend far above their age/grade level. They can be held back in school in terms of reading selections, or may be told what they have to read. For these reasons, reading outside of school becomes especially important for them. This self-chosen reading has many names:  leisure reading, recreational reading, reading for pleasure, and many more, I’m sure. The point is, it is child/adolescent driven. The child/adolescent has full control over what, when, why, where, and how they read. 
 
Some gifted children/adolescents may prefer e-books on a tablet or cell phone because they can read anywhere. Others prefer hardcover or paperback versions because they like to feel every page. Still others prefer audio books because reading words is a tedious and difficult process.  Some children/adolescents read at specific times during the day or evening and have a routine they follow. Others have specific places they read -- in their favorite bean bag chair, outside in the shade of a tree, or in a homemade sheet “tent” in the family room.  Some children/adolescents read until they finish a complete chapter, while others are okay with stopping at a certain section within a chapter.  Still others love to read book series and are relentless in their pursuit of reading (and perhaps collecting) every single book in the series, plus every new book in the series for the rest of their lives, regardless of how old they become. Some read one book at a time; others read many books simultaneously. 
 
When children/adolescents are asked why they read, there are as many reasons as there are children. Some say it is because it transports them to other places or times. Others say it is their escape from people or the world for a short time, and still others have different reasons.
 
Some children/adolescents consider books to be almost sacred, and not to be desecrated by writing in them, annotating, or anything else; they are just to be read and savored.  That is okay.  Respect for these practices and beliefs is necessary.
 
Whatever the reason for reading, reading during childhood/adolescence is one of the best ways to develop mind, body, and spirit (it’s even good for adults).  For gifted children, it may be the only time they have to use their imagination in ways very different from the real world, especially in school. 
 
I encourage parents to give their gifted children/adolescents time during these last few weeks of summer vacation to read for pleasure -- whatever, wherever, whenever, and however they want to read (within reason, of course).
 
As adults, we know we are in a very stressful time this year with so much being unknown about how back to school will proceed, and how to keep children/adolescents safe and healthy. The concerns are many. Giving our children/adolescents time to immerse themselves in reading before the back-to-school rush, anxiety, and stress commence is a gift. 
 
Below are some web links related to leisure reading. For more details, please talk with your local librarian. They have a wealth of knowledge and resources for all ages. Most libraries have online checkout, with e-books and audio books available to download, so one does not even have to go to the library and risk exposure, if that is a concern. Hopefully, library visits will be an activity we all can safely return to together sometime soon.
 
Happy reading!

Leisure Reading Resources
 
Leisure Reading:  A Joint Position Statement of the International Reading Association, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and the National Council of Teachers of English (2014)
http://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/leisure-reading-position-statement.pdf
 
Why Some People Become Lifelong Readers
Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic (9/19/19)
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/09/love-reading-books-leisure-pleasure/598315/
 
2020 Summer Reading Lists, Birth-Grade 8
Assoc. for Library Services to Children (ALSC)
Division of the American Library Assoc.  (ALA)
http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists/2020-summer-reading-list
 
Topical Book Lists, Birth-Grade 8
ALSC
http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/book-lists
 
YALSA Booklists
Young Adult Library Services Assoc. (YALSA)
Division of the American Library Assoc.  (ALA)
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklists
 
List of Children’s Book Series
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children%27s_book_series
 
List of Children’s Book Series
List by alphabetical order, age group, grade level equivalent, genre, and more
KidsBookSeries.com
 
List of Children’s Book Series, Alphabetical Order
https://www.kidsbookseries.com/list/sorted-alphabetically#A
 
List of Children’s Book Series, Age Group (0-16+)
https://www.kidsbookseries.com/list/sorted-by-age-group