Hooray for Rick Riordan!

Besides being a great author, he's got a good head on his shoulders when it comes to kids and reading. In a recent blog post, Mr. Riordan tackles the thought of age-appropriate literature for kids. This is something I deal with constantly as a third grade teacher.

At my school, the kids take a computerized test (STAR) to determine their personal "reading range". While I, as many others, understand that this is one test, and many other things go into a "just right" book choice, much weight is put onto this test to determine what books the students can check out from the library.

Now, in theory, this is a good concept. If a student knows what constitutes "just right" for them, as far as reading level goes, it helps to narrow down books in the library (we have a great, full, library, and the books are color coded according to level). There are a few bumps in the road with this technique, but for the most part, it's good.

What I do have a problem with, though, is the thought that book level is the ONLY thing that goes into determining a "just right" book. So many kids come up to 3rd grade, reading books, simply because they are the "right" level. Granted, it's great that they're READING, yes. But to read a book, simply because you have the ability to decode the words doesn't necessarily make it a good pick for you at that time.

I've had quite a few kids come in, and test high on the STAR test-- about 6-7th grade level reading ability. Immediately, they jump into a book of that level, because the test "said" they could. What I try to explain to them (and parents alike) is that just because a student has the technical ability to do something, doesn't necessarily make it enjoyable, or truly understandable. I mean, I have the ability to understand college textbooks, but I don't choose to read them during my "independent reading" time.

There are SO many great books for each level of reading-- we are blessed as a society to have many great writers for children who look at their audience-- get to know their audience-- and write for their audience. Why take a book from their future, to experience and understand maybe half of what they could at an older age? Let the kids enjoy the age appropriate things-- when it's age appropriate. Not when it's too late, and "too baby" for them. Then they've lost an opportunity to experience the books as intended.

So, my younger son (who will be 9 in a month) is working on The Lightening Thief. He's finally ready to go there. Last year, at the end of second grade, he had the ability to read Mr. Riordan's book series, but it just wasn't appropriate for his experience and age. Now, he's older, and his story enjoyment ability has him catching and understanding the significance of more details, and he'll "get it". I had few students last year that got caught up in the Percy Jackson series as well-- at the end of third grade. Now they're Olympian FOOLS (no offense-- just wonderfully caught up in it all). But these kids (mine included) have read a LOT of books-- appropriate books-- to get them ready for a series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians. They've had the ability for a while, but now, they're ready.

And believe me-- their enjoyment proves that it was worth the wait.