amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

~Bethany~ · 03-02-2004, 04:19 PM

10-almost-11-yr old ds has been hsing since the middle of 4th grade. He reads all the time, and at way above his grade level. The problem is that at this point, he only reads the same 3 or 4 books over and over (mostly Harry Potter). I've tried waiting it out, letting him do his thing, but lately I've been itching to see some him expand his horizons a little. Taking him to the library frequently has not seemed to really spark his interest-he'll get a non fiction book and read it in 10 minutes. We have ENORMOUS bookshelves all over this house filled with all kinds of books, so it's not like he couldn't find something to interest him. He's been doing this all this year, 5th grade.
Is this explainable? Like, is he trying to accomplish something here that I shouldn't hinder? Or shall I ask him to shelve Harry Potter and pick something else?
Bethany

DawnMM · 03-02-2004, 11:54 PM

What about books with themes similiar to Harry Potter?

Narnia Chronicles by CS Lewis
Lord of the Rings Series by Tolkein
Susan Cooper did a great series that is very similiar feel & excellent.
Wrinkle in Time series

I am sure there are tons more out there.

dawn

~Bethany~ · 03-03-2004, 05:51 PM

Hrmmm....we have all but the Susan Cooper series already. I've tried laying them surreptitiously under his nose and he pays no attention.
I wonder if this is some sort of stage that can be backed by developemental theory- seems like our older ds did this too at this age. *sigh* guess I'll just wait it out..

Bethany

freedomlover · 03-03-2004, 10:25 PM

books to him out loud each day.

He really enjoyed being read to and got into the stories really easily.

Mr. Mysterious and Company was his favorite (about a traveling, homeschooling magic show family in the covered wagon days)

So, I guess my advice is find a half hour each day to read a book out loud to him and get him listening to things for short, regular stints.