Choosing Books for a Middle-Schooler
Tempt your preteen with a range of reading materials.
Start with the books your middle schooler likes, then look for ways to expand his horizons.
By now, your child is reading independently, both for school and for recreation. He's probably got a favorite genre and a few favorite authors, and is primarily interested in reading more in that style. While encouraging your child to continue reading what he likes, it's a good idea to look for new books that will excite him, expand his horizons, and improve his vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
Nonfiction and Biography
At this age, your child is interested in learning how things work and about people who remind her of herself or whom she finds inspiring. Non-fiction books that answer questions about any interests, from frogs to monkeys to ancient Egypt to the way the human body works, as well as biographies about historical people, current athletes, and famous celebrities are good choices.
How-To Books
Your middle-schooler will relish the opportunity to learn to do something interesting and fun on his own. If he's fascinated with the circus, give him a book on magic or juggling. For gadget-lovers, consider a book on how to make crystal radios or conduct simple home experiments. If he already has a favorite hobby or after-school activity, support his interest with a book that explores the activity more in-depth, such as a book on glazing techniques for a ceramics lover. He will build his ability to follow directions as he learns that books can shed light on almost every subject.
One Genre Over
Expand your child's reading horizons by giving her a book in a slightly different genre than her favorite. For example, give a science fiction book to a fantasy lover. If she's crazy about baseball books, suggest a new sport or try to find a traditional young adult book with a character that also loves running, such as Bridge to Terabithia. Sports-lovers may also enjoy adventure books and adventure lovers will like stories of mystery and intrigue. If tales of the great outdoors are her favorite, consider historical fiction that follows American pioneers like the Dear America books. Continuing to expand her reading choices will introduce her to new subjects and ideas as well as keep her interested in finding new, interesting reading material.
Award Winners and Series
The Newbery Award-winning books are generally written for a older elementary and middle-school audience. Topics range from money and race issues to relationships and sickness and can help your child understand changes and problems in his own life and the lives of those around him. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry follows the story of one African American family, while Shiloh focuses on the struggle an 11-year-old boy goes through over a mistreated dog. Children of this age are also interested in reading every book an author writes, which makes series fiction, such as Artemis Fowl or A Series of Unfortunate Events a safe bet. Your child will enjoy reading about growingly familiar characters and will keep reading to find out what happens next to people in the series. For ideas on super series, check out this book list.
Magazines and Newspapers
For a non-book option, get your tween a subscription to a few magazines that she enjoys and can look forward to receiving. It doesn't matter if the magazine is about extreme sports or fashion or even video games as long as your child enjoys reading it. Introducing the idea of regular reading for recreation is an important step towards becoming a lifelong reader. Another great thing to do with your child is to read the newspaper together. You can discuss current events and help explain vocabulary as you build a great daily routine.
