Expert Advice from Dr. Twila Liggett

Dear RIF: During the summer, I encourage my kids to read whatever they want. But when they’re in school, sometimes they’re assigned short stories or books they have no interest in. What can I do to make their assigned reading more enjoyable?

Dear Parent:

If you are passionate about reading for the love of it, and you have captured your child's love of reading over the summer, then this fall’s curriculum will hopefully extend the experience.

So, my advice is to first assume the positive.

However, it’s true that you might encounter a school and/or teacher who follows a very rigid list of “must read” books. In my view, some of these works are introduced to students way too early. Many “classics,” while in the curriculum, often were not written for anyone under 18 years of age.  In fact, college students sometimes struggle to discern “the meaning” of some of these same books.

Now, let’s assume that your child does bring home an assigned book that is, at first, a big turn-off. In that case, do NOT panic! 

Here’s what I would do—and have done with my step-daughter, who is now a high school sophomore:

1. Find out if your child can complete the assignment with another book. Sometimes a teacher will allow a student to choose an alternate, as long as it relates to the lesson.

2. Read the book yourself. Then share your honest reaction with your child (whether you liked it, found it boring, etc.).  

3. Read the book aloud as a family, especially if it’s interesting. After all, kids of all ages love to be read to. 

4. Search for connections—a movie, play, or other artistic interpretation—that would help your child relate to the book’s topic. 

5. Surf the Internet, which is chock full of engaging ways you can experiment with your child’s assigned reading. In fact, I encourage you to start with RIF’s extensive activity search.

It goes without saying that as parents, it is very important to keep the fun of reading alive for our kids. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it is so worth it. Because, while learning to read is achievable, loving to read is a gift for a lifetime of joy!

Do you have a question for Dr. Liggett? Simply send an email to feedback@rif.org with Dear RIF in the subject line.

About Our Expert

Dr. Twila C. Liggett is the founder of the outstanding children's TV series, Reading Rainbow which premiered on PBS in 1983. She also served as executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning series through the fall of 2006. Her knowledge and experience provided the vital links between the parallel worlds of education and television that made Reading Rainbow so successful.

Under her leadership, the series won over 160 awards including the Prix Juenesse (1992) a prestigious international award, the Peabody (1993), and 26 national Emmys, of which ten are in the Outstanding Children's Series category.

Dr. Liggett holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction and Administration, a MA in Elementary Education (both from the University of Nebraska) and a BS in Secondary and Music Education (Union College, Nebraska). Dr. Liggett was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Marymount Manhattan College (New York City) in 2001. Dr. Liggett is currently a Professor of Education at Marymount Manhattan College.

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