Reading | Reading Resource

Books for Boys

Boys, for some reason, seem to more likely not enjoy reading. This could be because of several factors: authors are generally women and write books that appeal more to girls; teachers are generally female and suggest books that they like to read, which doesn’t appeal to boys; or maybe it’s because they’re rambunctious and aren’t ones to sit and do something for very long.

Whatever the reason is, if you can find books that appeal to boys, you’ll be able to show them that there are books they can enjoy too. Here are some books that are recommended for elementary school boys:

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney. This is a great series of books for boys because the main character is a boy and it deals with issues that boys deal with. Boys can easily relate to these books and because the premise is it’s a diary written by a boy, it also might encourage boys to write as well.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan. This is another series with a boy as the main character. What’s great about this book is the main character has dyslexia and ADHD, which many boys can relate to, and it shows the character being successful despite these faults. It also has a lot of action.
Alcatraz Smedry, by Brandon Sanderson. This series of books is hilarious. The main character has a penchant for breaking things, but this series explores how this is actually a talent. Very fun for all ages.

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Brandon Sanderson, Jeff Kinney, Rick Riordan

Blogs: A Random Taste of Entertainment

Blogs are growing exponentially in quantity online, because just about anyone can create and run a blog with little difficulty. As such, there are many very interesting blogs on the Internet that are worth reading when you are looking for something to pass the time.

Blogs: A Random Taste of Entertainment

Blogs are a nice mashup of people’s thoughts and opinions interspersed with links, facts, pictures and other information. They focus on topics of interest to the blogger. Sometimes a blog is a commentary on someone’s personal life. Other times, blogs offer information and thoughts related to hot topics in the news or important causes. Some of the best blogs on the Internet attract millions of page views in short periods of time, not only because the bloggers are talking, but because they are talking about what people want to know or read.

Learn More with Blogs

If you are interested in learning more about a particular subject, one way to do that is with the help of online blogs. If fashion is your passion, search online for different fashion blogs. It won’t take long to figure out which are interesting and valuble and which blogs are mostly fluff and a waste of time. One of the many benefits of blogs is getting other opinions on a topic and engaging in conversations on the blog with other interested readers.

Some of the most interesting writing on the Internet can be seen in blogs. Search for the most popular blogs and keep several of them bookmarked on your computer. You’ll have an endless font of fun, entertaining, useful and otherwise interesting information that you can tap into anytime you like.

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Blog, Fashion blog, Google

4 Most Enjoyable Books To Read

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Getting lost in a good book that you can’t seem to put down is a wonderful way to forget your daily stresses and enjoy some quiet time while using your imagination to delve into the world of the book. Here is a list of four of the most enjoyable books to read.

“Anna Karenina” by Russian author Leo Tolstoy is considered a classic novel and has long been on many lists of 100 greatest novels of all time, and 100 novels you must read. The story tells of Anna Karenina’s love affair, her struggles with high society and her fall from the upper class. For a search engine that will help look for more great books, check out Canada 411.

“Great Expectations” by English author Charles Dickens is a well-known novel and a part of many modern l English curriculums. The story follows the growth of Phillip Pirrip (Pip) from a small boy to his pursuit of becoming a fine gentleman.

“Lolita” by Russian Author Vladimir Nabokov was originally banned from many countries for its racy storyline. It follows Humbert Humbert as he moves from Europe to America, ends up in a boarding house in New Jersey and has an affair with his landlady’s little daughter.

“Wuthering Heights” by another English author Emily Bronte is considered one of the greatest romance novels of all time. Follow the story of Heathcliff and his passion for Catherine through the heartbreak of life and death.

Filed Under: Book Distribution, Reading Tagged With: Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy, Vladimir Nabokov

How to Start a Book Club

Anyone who is interested in starting a book club is likely faced with the same problem: how to choose which books to present. The sheer number of available books may make you wish you never started the process, but many are finding that by focusing on the most important books of the last 50 years, they can easily develop a club that is fun and intellectually stimulating.

When selecting books; remember that book clubs don’t have to focus on ‘smart’ books or the classics. Instead, selecting a variety of books in different styles, your club can gain exposure into a wide variety of subjects and writing styles. Consider the following three books, each of which is widely considered to be on the list of the most important books of the last 50 years.

The Da Vinci Code: a popular book and movie, this is mainstream that allows a club to explore religious and art themes.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: the pinnacle of self-help books, this piece explores a different form of writing. Using a list of book club questions can help break this one down.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: delve into history with this book and those like it. Expand the discussion with research and relevant materials for an exciting and educational discussion.

The truth is the most successful book clubs utilize a wide variety of books and subjects to keep them interesting. Take some time to research the most influential books of the last 50 years to add variety to your club.

Filed Under: Book Distribution, Books, Reading Tagged With: Book discussion club, Reading Groups, Shopping

Ways to Determine the Readability of the Text

When writing a children’s book you’ll want to determine the reading level of the book so that you know what your target audience is. While many people will usually find their target audience by handing the book to people and having them read it, there is another way to discover the reading level of your book. This way is known as using the reading level tool.

A reading level tool that is commonly used by most authors is one that is found in Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word has the ability for the program to assess 100 word passages and to determine the readable level of the context that it has been instructed. This program will take into account grammar, spelling and the context of words.

When an author uses this reading level tool it will allow them to choose 100 word passages and determine the readability score of that passage. The scale that is used is one known as the Flesch Reading Ease score. This score helped author determine the ease of rating for the paragraph a passage that has been highlighted. This scale shows a score from 0 to 100. The higher the score is the easier the passages to read and therefore is determined that the text will be for younger children.

Another score that is present is one known as the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score. This will indicate the recommended amount of education that is required for the person to read and understand the passage. This score will come in a form of 0 to 12 and be used to determine whether the passages for kindergarten all the way up to 12 grade.

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Author, Readability, Reading

A Look at Tactile Children’s Books

Some of the most popular types of children’s books includes the types of books known as tactile children’s books. These books contain the story but also require that the child must play along or do various things with the story. Children have very short attention spans cirque wearing them to do something physical during the story will gain interest of the children and promote reading. If you’re considering writing a tactile children’s book here are some things you should consider.

Touch. Children love to touch and feel things. Try to create a story that allows the children to feel certain things. For example when you’re talking about a soft blanket you can put a piece of soft material that the child can touch. This allows them to get involved with the story and to develop their fine motor skills.

Flaps. Flaps are great to develop mystery and to also have a great tactile function in the book. Tactile children authors have been known to create a story and have things hiding under the flaps. Children love discovering what is underneath there as well as reading the story. There’s been a mystery encourages the children to learn about mystery and play along with the story.

Smell. Smell is not always used in stories. However, with the invention a scratch and sniff this is also started to make its way into children’s tactile books. The author can talk about a smell or scent and the children are required scratch on the piece of material inside the book which will bring out the scent. This is a great way for them to feel the story is coming to life.

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Book, Children, Children's literature

Benefits of Reading for Children

Picking up a book and reading with your child can be one of the most beneficial things that you can do with them. Many studies have been conducted on the benefits that reading with your child can have. Reading aloud to your child for as little as 30 minutes a day can help foster relationships as well as help with the developmental aspect of your child. Here is a look at some of the many benefits that can come with reading with your child.

Fostering Relationships. The biggest benefit that can come from reading to your child is the ability to foster your relationship with the child. Generally, when parents read to their child they are sitting close to them which helps serve as a bonding experience between the parent and child. Reading also requires that the parent spend time in focus upon the child which also helps in the bonding experience.

Creating a Love for Reading. Many children will pick up on their examples that their parents have given them. If the children noticed that the parents love to read they will foster and develop a love for reading themselves. Reading can be beneficial as it helps them explore new worlds, and gain new knowledge.

Developing Listening Skills. Reading is a great way to develop listening skills of your child. By reading a book to a child and asking them questions later requires the child to develop their reading comprehension skills because they required to instantly recall the story and talk about it with you. Reading and listening skills are required for all children as they enter school.

Relaxation. Many adults use reading as a form of relaxation. However, children can also use reading as a former relaxation. This is often why many parents will read to their children before they go to bed. This teaches the children that reading can be used as a way to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Child, Parent, Reading

The Benefits Of Reading To Your Child

Whether you are an expectant parent, or currently have children, the benefits of reading to your child from a young are are well-documented, and worthy of consideration.

One of the advantages of this process is that it creates a bond with your child that can last throughout a lifetime. With a little effort you can begin a routine that allows your child to become accustomed to the joys of reading on a daily basis. This can be accomplished through a tactic as simple as reading bedtime stories together. Not only does your child get to end their day with reading, but they will begin to associate this ritual with comfort and trust.

Let your child determine the specifics of the reading process, and do not be alarmed if they prefer to hear the same story over and over. This is particularly common with younger children. Try to vary the tones of your voice to make the process more interesting.

Reading should always be a dynamic process. Let your children choose the books for their personal library and allow them to ask questions as you tell the story. Conversely, don’t be afraid to ask them questions, too. Not only will this help you check their comprehension of the story but it will help them feel that they are valued and essential to the impact of the story.

Finally, don’t forget to choose books that are appropriate to your child’s age group and specific interests. For example, toddlers tend to prefer simple books, because large amounts of illustrations can be too distracting. If possible, strike a balance between educational content and something that’s simply fun and lighthearted.

By helping your child learn to love reading from an early age you are helping to foster the enjoyment of a worthwhile and educational pastime.

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Bedtime story, Book, Child, Reading

The Ease of Reading: Online Degree Programs

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The weight of a book is familiar in your hands, a comfort you won’t deny — but such comfort means little when forced to contend with tedious crowds and inept cashiers, the shriek of sales. A store is inexplicably busy, with strangers flocking in from all distances, taking advantage of the available pages. You wonder how many are like you: students trying to meet the demands of a reading list, gathering materials for class. It’s an expense you’ve come to expect, but it’s a hassle you’ll never approve of. And you pass the time by tallying all of the costs for this semester. They are considerable.

Reading is a joy you would never deny; but the difficulties in obtaining books for school can tame your delight. You devote more time to finding these stories than studying them. And too often you are forced to share the aisles with those who have no appreciation for the written word or its many meanings.

You think this can never change. You think there is nothing to be done.

You’re wrong.

Online degree programs offer an alternative to the usual bookshop stupor. They allow you to instead read with the aid of a computer, with many materials placed on websites and forums for your leisure. Material is suddenly made accessible, with you able to simply memorize it (instead of puttering down the road, moving from store to store until you find what you need).

Through virtual classrooms you are suddenly gifted with quick pages and easy searches. Text can be highlighted, copied and stored on your screen. There is no wince of shelves (already strained from the burden of so many books). There is no debate of dollars (wondering if you can ignore dinner to purchase another novel). There’s just an online simplicity.

Seek an education without the usual frustration. Find the words you love without the expected worry.

Filed Under: Book Distribution, General, Literature, Reading Tagged With: Academic degree, Distance education, E-learning, Education, Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Online degrees, Psychology

Choosing Books For Children Or New Readers

If you are a parent, you probably have a full understanding of just how important it is to choose books that are related to a child’s interest and skill level. However, there are many things to think about that will ultimately combine to help you find a great book that is appropriate for the child’s reading level and fun to read at the same time. These factors are particularly important for someone who is just beginning to read. During these early stages it is more important than ever to encourage a child’s love of reading and ensure that the learning experience is a pleasurable one.

Obviously, one of the easiest ways to hold a child’s interest with a book is to find one that is related to their specific interests. Also, look for books that not only have a high literary content, but area also richly illustrated. In the case of someone who is just learning to read, they will often use the pictures to help them sort out the plot of the story, especially if there are still some words or phrases that are unfamiliar.

Also, peruse the topic and determine whether or not it is appropriate. Ideally, a child will not become overwhelmed by the amount of words on a page, or the difficulty of those words, but will become motivated to read on a continual basis, because they are challenged just enough to prevent frustration.

Finally, encourage discussion of the story, including an explanation of any words that are unfamiliar to the child. In this way, the activity of reading can be a low-pressure learning experience that will provide a bonding experience too. Don’t be alarmed if the child prefers to read the same story over and over again for days at a time. Children tend to gravitate towards that which is familiar.

Filed Under: Book Distribution, Books, Reading Tagged With: Book, Child, Readability, Reading