Ten Books Kids Should Read Before Leaving Home
In case you just happened to stumbled over to my corner here for the first time today, please know that reading is the name of the game for me. The power that comes with the knowledge people gain from reading is invaluable. And that power can be given to each child from their own parents, no matter their social status. For some it might take more effort to get a hold of books, but, especially in the United States, libraries are not too difficult to find.
There are countless studies that say teach a child to read will benefit them most in education, self-esteem, and personal drive than anything else. (If you don't want to take my word for it, check out these quick articles.)
Needless to say, I have been reading to my three kids from the day I found out they existed. As soon as they were born, I read to them. My youngest son spent 6 weeks (just about) in the NICU and while there were few hours I could hold him, I could read to him often... so I did.
We have completely destroyed three thick board books of Goodnight Moon, and three of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The local librarians, of three different libraries, know my kids by name as we visit at least one every week. The day my oldest got his library card we celebrated as though it was his birthday (the other two are anxious for when they will be old enough for their own). They pick out board books, picture books, early reading books, award winning books. They come home with comic books, and nonfiction books of all kinds, as well as audio books to listen to. So with all the reading we are doing in our house, I loved the idea of coming up with 10 book I want to read to my kids... but since mine are getting older, I'm going to change this a bit...
I have put together a list of ten books and stories, I hope to discuss with my kids before they leave this nest and fly off into the world...
These are books that I hope they choose to pick up, or some wonderful teacher forces them to pick up, because there are truths in them that could stay with them through their lives...
10 Books Kids Should Read Before Leaving Home
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - I have yet to come across a book that portrays the power of honor, and the cost of keeping it.
- The Sound & the Fury by William Faulkner - This can be a slog for a reader, but if read with determination, or a strong-willed teacher, the lessons of human worth, mental illness, and a desire to live are priceless.
- The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis - Alright, alright, I use this book all the time, but it doesn't take long in life to realize there is good and evil, and a look into the ultimate evil's vantage can also show more truth of good than one might expect. Besides, this is a classic that needs to be known...
- The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling - Recently I have heard some say this is a passing fad book, but the truth is that it portrays loyalty to family, building of friendship, the importance of trust and determination to continue towards what is right and good, all while showing the struggle people feel when the black and white of life sometimes get murky and gray.
- The Giver by Lois Lowry - The journey of Jonas is amazing, how the world can be seen through a narrow lens, or how a person can choose to see the bigger picture, and when to focus in, or out... it's a lesson we all need to be reminded of often...
- The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien - You shouldn't be surprised since this list is probably predictable, but the journey of Frodo Baggins to end the war over the One True Ring is only strengthened by those who join him along the way. Once one reads this epic story, he cannot forget it.
- The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis - Well, I can't have LotR and not Narnia as Narnia is an excellent precourser to LotR for it was written for a slightly younger audience... the message, the truths, the purpose, is the same.
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - I'll admit, I avoided this one for a long time. And to be honest, I have no idea why. The power of hope fed by imagination could be a dying form of self-comfort in this era of get-what-you-want-the-second-you-want-it but maybe that could be different for a future generation.
- The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allen Poe - No one has yet to craft a story that portrays so much of about humanity with so little ink, in such a way that will imprint the lesson firmly onto ones soul like Poe.
- The Poetry of Robert Frost - Especially The Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Night actually, I'm not sure I have room to mention all the love I have for these poems, and more of Frost. Many probably don't even know when an artist, musician, or writer alludes to his poems nowadays, but it's important to know where such amazing imagery and truth came from.
BONUS: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - Now these could easily vanish in time, as I'm not sure they have the power of Harry Potter or Narnia to stand the test of time. But interviews Collins gave on where she came up with the concept of the game and story, are important. While kids and even teens might not want to see the ugly truth of power against power, this story will step them closer to the reality that cruel and greedy power can do to all kinds of people.
Call out to hosts
Thank you, The Broke & the Bookish for this fun weekly prompt and chance to interact with the Bookish Blogger community.
I could have probably put together a list of 20 or 50.... but I figured you didn't have the time read it... or rather, I don't really have the time to put it together... maybe I'll do a part two in the future.
Alright, I know I missed some... who would you add?
2 coment�rios
YES. I completely agree. Kids should definitely read The Hunger Games, The Giver and Harry Potter before they turn 18. :) Thanks for sharing! ❤
ReplyDelete~ Zoe @ Stories on Stage
They are important reads... and often over looked as being too popular or main stream...
Deletethanks for stopping by Zoe!
Marissa
I love comments!!
Let me know what you thought of this one... don't forget to share your blog link so I can stop by!