The Power of Potter
The New York Times has an interesting story today about the long-term impact of the Harry Potter series on school age reading habits.
It turns out that this mega-bestselling series hasn’t created permanent and widespread changes in behavior among young readers. Many kids would still rather play online games or watch television than tackle a 700-page novel.
Maybe that’s the problem — the Potter books are so lengthy that it’s hard for most of us — adults included — to stay focused.
My 9-year-old stepdaughter is a fan of the Junie B. Jones series of chapter books, which run less than 100 pages. They are fun to read, relate to her own life experiences and relatively inexpensive. Will she read the new Harry Potter? Maybe, though she’s more likely to ask someone to read it TO her — it is heavy after all.
I think you have to help each child develop their own, individual love of reading. Whether it’s the latest Bible-sized Harry Potter or a Batman comic book, reading is reading is reading. And if your kids see YOU reading a book, a magazine, a newspaper — then they are more likely to follow suit.
So turn off the television and take up a tome tonight! Unless the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is playing on cable. I never got past page 400, so I need to see the ending.
Susan Simpson
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Comments
Growing up, my mom set the example for a love of reading. On Saturday afternoons, we’d go to the farmers market and then to the library. My mom, my brother and I would return home with stacks of books. My brother would have the “choose your own adventure” books or vampire novels, I’d get some Beverly Cleary or Judy Blume books, and my mom would come out with a Jane Austen or Larry McMurtry novel (she has diverse taste.) I think you’re right that it makes a big impact for kids to know that their parents actually enjoy reading and not just making their kids read.
My wife and I are avid readers and our daughters both follow suit. They like to read, and they like to be read to as well. We go to the bookstore every weekend, becasue the girls want to go. It ranks ahead of the zoo and the movies. I do agree with Susan regarding thick books. I’m reading Inkheart to my oldest daughter. The recommended age is 9-12 years, but at 560 pages (and type so small I need reading glasses) it is a little daunting for my third grader. The important thing is it is something we enjoy doing together.