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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Not Having to Nag-Slice of Life Post-July 7, 2015

Each Tuesday the amazing bloggers at Two Writing Teachers host Slice of Life Stories (SOLS). This is where bloggers link up to share anything they would like to share about what is happening in their lives. 

Each summer it is the same story. My daughter, who is 13 and going into 8th grade, resists reading and I need to "suggest" that she read from time to time which usually leads to eye rolling, heavy sighs and the whole bit. Well, not this summer! Molly always listens to her teachers so when she was assigned the task of reading a book this summer she took it seriously (I know, I don't like assigned reading either, but that is a different discussion). She was given a list of books as suggested reading. I looked it over and saw that Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson was on the list. I had a copy and knew Molly would love it. I had to temper my enthusiasm because nothing makes her want to read a book less than my being excited about it. I mentioned that I had a copy if she wanted to read it.
As I had predicted, she was hooked from the beginning. I always know when she is into a book because she keeps reading me quotes. I can't think of a more quotable book, can you? Over the week she read without being asked and for long periods of time until she was finished. "Wow Mom, that was a good book, can we talk about it?" 
To which I replied, "Of course!" while trying not to do a very uncool happy dance. As we talked I told her about my brief meeting with the author at NCTE in Boston where I was introduced to her and shook her hand. She stared at me, mouth agape and in that moment I was a rock star! 
While I do not like the idea of assigned summer reading and really despise the lengthy list of questions and activities she now has to do with the book, I am thankful for this positive summer reading experience with my daughter. 

9 comments:

  1. I love that she asked you if you could talk about the book! That is wonderful. I love Jacqueline Woodson's books. She is an amazing author.
    Miss King's Enchanted Kingdom

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  2. I'm so glad you knew not to do that "uncool happy dance", Gigi. So funny. Since I've taught that age for years, I understand your quiet demeanor. I've had parents sneak in to tell me something, but also being sure their children didn't see! I too wonder about the reading assignments "after" the books. Wouldn't it be nice if they just had to read more than one book? Love that she read and loved Brown Girl Dreaming. That is definitely a plus!

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  3. You obviously have a way of knowing when to gently nudge and when to walk away. Molly is so fortunate to have a mom who reads and is so in tune with what she needs a reader, though she might not realize it right now.

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  4. Love hearing your voice in this piece -- we have missed connecting with you. The audio version is the author reading it - very powerful as well. Glad your summer reading is off to a good start… how about Crossover next??

    Clare and Tammy

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    1. Ooh, I bet the audio is amazing! I loved The Crossover! She decided to read the third Chris Colfer book in his Land of Stories series.

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  5. For this kind of experience is why we keep assigning summer reading. I don't like it either but I know without it, many kids would not read at all. I do not miss being the mom of a 13 year old. Adult children are wonderful. It's all worth it.

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  6. She made a great choice- hopefully it will help to hook her as a reader. I could really see your daughter in your descriptions!

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  7. She made a great choice- hopefully it will help to hook her as a reader. I could really see your daughter in your descriptions!

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