English Literature

[gillybeanz]

Have a dd who is showing interest in Orwell especially 1984, Shakespeare, Lord of the Flies, Jane Austen, not so much poetry though

Problem is although this is great she hasn't read anything much since Enid Blyton in the way of stories.

She does read but it has to be for a particular reason/subject iyswim

She isn't short of books as I made the mistake of buying her quite a few from various reading lists and recommendations. She says they aren't what she wants to read, but there were all sorts there, not just a particular style she doesn't like.

My concern is that she might be put off them and she'll need to understand this level at some time. She made me watch a film of one last night, but didn't want to think of a couple of points I mentioned.
Oh, currently Y9.
I thought of giving her a voucher to buy her own, but including a list of recommended books for her age, but that's a bit controlling.
If I leave her to it she would come back with stationary and no books if a shop voucher.
Is there any point in buying new books if she gets fed up with them?

[BubblesBuddy]

I have a very intelligent DD who read what she had to for exams but not really for pleasure. Takes after her parents sadly! Just let her read what she needs to and try and encourage additional reading. DD does realise she is not well read regarding novels but does have very good general knowledge about subjects that do interest her. I never felt I could force books on her but you could start discussing books and taking her to see plays she is interested in. Not everyone is an avid reader. Not everyone will read English Lit at university. Sometimes doing enough is just fine if your interests really lie elsewhere.

[HaHaHmm]

Why not take her to the library?

[coolaschmoola]

I'm a GCSE English teacher. The most important thing is that she reads, and the best way to ensure that she does it is to let her choose. Reading for pleasure will still help her develop important skills that can then be applied to the texts she HAS to read at school.

I have to select books for work. When I read for pleasure I use an entirely different selection process. Allow your dd to do the same. Pushing her towards books she isn't interested in will potentially have a negative impact on her feelings about reading.

[coolaschmoola]

If she chooses to read magazines - it's still reading. Internet - still reading. Non-fiction - still reading. Really good suggestion about the library too.

[millifiori]

I totally agree about letting her choose. DS1 went from hating reading to reading only factual stuff then gradually moved himself onto novels.
DS2 read only graphic novels for years and years but now reads history. politics and some novels. We always just bought them the books they liked and never bought books we thought they 'should' read.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Agree with the above, especially graphic novels, which are often excellent. The process of absorbing words and pictures means the reader is actually doing more even though we think they’re doing less! I tended to carry on with an author I already liked before moving onto something else, so e.g. if 1984 was a hit, Animal Farm might go down well!
The voucher idea is really great but to avoid the stationery temptations, I’d go with her and hold onto the voucher until she’s chosen a book and then hand it over - maybe she could ‘top up’ with stationery!

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Sorry, meant to add if she reads for a purpose then the other books by same author thing can be presented as useful for context = context is part of the mark scheme at GCSE.

[gillybeanz]

Thanks
Wow, it's good to hear that other children aren't all reading for pleasure.
She told me she reads newspapers at school, I'm not sure which
Other things are biographies, autobiographies, specific facts, synopsis, but nothing for pleasure.
I think it's a bit sad, but pleased she is interesting in reading for her purposes.
Will what she learns at school through studying particular books encourage a wider range of material?

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Biographies are great, though! She’ll end up with great general knowledge skills at that rate!