Ask the Expert
Expert: Grace Shanahan
During the month of May, Grace Shanahan answered your questions about motivating kids to read. Read the summarized Q&A below!
Topic: Motivating Kids to Read During the Summer
 About Our Expert:
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Grace Shanahan is a professionally-trained librarian with over twenty-five years of experience in public libraries. At the present time, Ms. Shanahan manages the Connecting Libraries and Schools Project for the Brooklyn Public Library. She is responsible for library outreach to 330,000 school age children in Brooklyn. Ms. Shanahan also administers the New York State Summer Reading Club and RIF program for the Brooklyn Public Library.
Question 1:
Hi Grace-
My son is 10, and he hates reading. He loves his video games, and it is hard for me to tear him away. He would never even think of reading a book for “fun.” However, I would really like to make sure that he reads a few books this summer. Do you have any suggestions for me? Any ideas for book titles that a video game-addict might enjoy?
Thanks,
Bethany J.
Read Grace's reply ...
Question 2:
Dear Librarian Shanahan,
My daughter is 12 years old and will be entering a 7th grade Magnet program in 03-04. She is very self motivated academically, however, reading is not her favorite past time. I would like to provide/assist with academic opportunities to help prepare her for next year but at the same time encourage her to take a break from the fast academic pace she'll be jumping into in the fall. If I suggest she read 2-3 books over the summer I know she will accept the challenge.
She is your average 12 year old; loves soccer, horses and spending time with her friends. Her favorite book is "Holes" and really enjoyed going to see it made into a movie. She enjoyed reading Harry Potter novels and enjoyed seeing those movies as well but they were not her favorites. I am looking for novels that are classics and that everyone MUST read within their lifetime. Something that activates ones imagination and will keep her motivated to read.
I welcome your suggestions.
Sincerely,
M. Elaine S., Austin, TX
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Question 3:
I am a 3rd grade teacher, and I work with very low-income students. These children don’t regularly go to the public library. I am sure that most of my kids’ parents have never even been to our city library. Do you have any suggestions for helping me encourage the kids and their parents to visit the library over the summer? I think that they would find the story-hour and other activities that the library provides to be fun.
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Question 4:
Can you suggest any books that would be good for my kids, ages 8 and 12, as we travel this summer? We’re going on a two-week trip from our home in Massachusetts to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. How can I find books that relate to all of the stops that we’ll make on our trip?
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Question 5:
Dear Ms. Shanahan,
My daughter is 16, and all she reads is beauty magazines and other popular teen magazines. While I am happy that she is reading something, she has no interest in good literature. Do you have any advice for getting her to read books instead of just magazines?
Sincerely,
Molly J., West Virginia
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