Reading/comprehension/help!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello.

Can anybody suggest possible books for dd aged 8, that she can comprehend but are not too babyish?

I am reading Malory Towers/ Famous 5 to her atm, and tonight she read a couple of pages to herself and said she didn't understand it. Concontrating on reading the words meant they weren't going in. I have this problem too, so I can sympathise.

She understands quite well when I read them to her and only asks what the odd word means.

She seems to like this type of book but if I suggest larger print or younger stories she is offended.

Any suggestions greatfully received.

What about the Faraway Tree or The naughtiest girl in the school-they are a bit easier than Famous Five and MT?

Letseat

Oh if only it were so simple. Thanks but have tried this to the reply "You read these to me when I was 5.

So I suggest she reads them herself as she couldn't possibly remember them and explain it will help alleviate the problem above, but no she won't read baby books.
This is the right track though as these are usually what she likes.

I have this problem with my 8 yo. Am desperate to get him to read for pleasure, as he loves being read to. He is getting quite into the Mr Gum books - they are good because they don't have too much text on a page and the lines are well spaced, but they aren't at all babyish. He copes better with graphic novels as well - but I think a lot of these tend to be more aimed at boys. Am watching for any other suggestions.

It is difficult as she was also put off a bit during her last year at school as they insisted she read books she had no interest in, so according to her it was boring. Before this whilst still on reading scheme they were a challenge as well which kept the motivation. Maybe I should devise my own scheme and stick coloured labels on each book.
I don't want to bully her into reading, but know shes missing out on so much.
Going to try the library again tomorrow.

We did our library summer reading scheme and he was quite motivated by this and the stickers and small prizes they gave out - so library definitely worth a try. The rational part of me is pretty sure that because he loves being read to and enjoys listening to audio books - he will be motivated enough to read for himself eventually. I agree its a balance - too much pressure is likely to turn it into a Big Deal and put them off. It's hard though because by the time I was his age I was reading so much - but then he does lots of things that I couldn't do then.

There are special dyslexia print books (different font and page colours) - might that help?

There is a big gap between 'baby' books and The Famous Five (which has some complex words and old fashioned concepts). I'd go shopping together for some new (and slightly simpler) books. I'd also recommend Starfall.com for the 'I can read' greek myths etc - they might be a little too simple for her but they are fun and bringing her down to easy texts and then moving gradually up is probably better. There's nothing to be gained by being pushed to read difficult texts ( and a lot to be lost).

Have you tried your local library? Ours have books that are graded in difficulty.

Wolves.

My problem is as you say not pushing her by reading difficult text.
I think I may have had a break through with The Faraway Tree as the book I found has other stories in as well, so she can feel like she is progressing. She is complaining a bit but have explained that after these she can read more advanced texts.
She has all manner of books and always wants to read the more difficult ones. E.g The Hobbit rather than Milly Molly Mandy. Its difficult finding a happy medium.

The Hobbit is definitely a very challenging text. Dare I speak its name - Oxford Reading Tree? You can get them cheap on the Book People and then the texts move up to high levels (via both fiction and non fiction) and can be purchased on Amazon. I know many on here don't like them but my son (a strong reader) has always enjoyed them and has derived a lot of satisfaction from moving up the levels. Just thought, he really likes Jeremy Strong books and the Mr Gum books by Andy Stanton. A bit boyish perhaps (but I too think they are very funny and pretty accessible) - the Captain Underpants series as well as Super Diaper Baby. I am an English tutor and a lot of the kids I tutor are either reading Jacqueline Wilson or Diary of a Wimpy Kid (which looks pretty dull to me but they all love it).

Also - some work on reading skills might not go amiss. Just because she can decipher individual words isn't the same thing as being able to read big chunks. Practise reading sections of text with her. Go through each sentence, checking that she understands them and then ask her to summarise each para. Remind her that good readers often go backwards and forwards as they read, re-reading chunks if they haven't understood them the first time.

Thank you Wolves.

Its my fault really as she has 2 grown up siblings and we lack storage space so all their old books are now in her room. A fantastic opportunity for her but her brothers constantly remind her of books they enjoyed. This year she read Iron Man and Stig of the dump. When I bought her some fairy or ballerina books she turned her nose up, despite doing ballet herself. So I started reading famous 5 and Malory Towers as they had been books I enjoyed and she really likes them. Perhaps she can read these when she is older and I'll read them to her for now. I will try your suggestions too and although our library isn't well organised as in obviously noted progression within their books, they do have a huge selection and dd is working through their Horrible History atm.

My reluctant reader likes the David Walliams books...Billionaire Boy, Gangster Granny.....probably because they are a bit rude!

DS read Stig of the Dump earlier this year. Funnily enough, I had to do it as a novel in first year at school and found it utterly boring. He however absolutely adored it and even reread key scenes over and over again for the sheer joy of it. His current bedtime book is the new version of Pippi Longstocking and we are both LOVING it.

Stig of the Dump was the book that started my DS reading. I got to an exciting part when the phone rang and I suggested if he couldn't wait he read on himself.

Wolves.

Pippy longstocking. What a blast from the past. I must get this for dd, I really loved this.

Pippi Longstocking is even better than I remember it. It's hilarious! The new edition has illustartions by Lauren Childes (sp?). It is a lovely book with a nice size of text etc. the stories are subversive and very entertaining. Quite feminist actually!

And Pippi doesn't go to school but as all sorts of other talents and skills the other kids can only marvel at

Sorry, I haven't replied to all posts, my internet access went for days, finally back.
Thank you all for your suggestions I'm going to try them all.

Have you found the Barrington Stokes books?

"Barrington Stoke is an independent publisher dedicated to cracking reading. We know that every parent wants their child to become a reader, and every teacher wants their students to make the jump from learning to read to loving to read. Our books are commissioned, edited and designed to break down the barriers that can stop this happening, from dyslexia and visual stress to simple reluctance."