Summer Reading—Fun or Forced?

Some people love reading during the summer but dislike summer reading. My son loves to read. I have actually found him alternating between reading and instant messaging with his friends on the computer. At times he will stay awake until the early hours of the morning reading.

This summer he has been assigned books that he has to read in preparation for next year’s English class. Although I know he loves to read, I know he’s not looking forward to reading to reading these books.

Some parents say that forcing a student to read a book is unfair and unproductive. To an extent, I agree with this statement.  As unjust as it to have to read while on vacation, I realize that the many reading assignments in my life have taught me self-discipline. It’s not unlike training for sports. Sometimes training 
can be hard, painful, and boring, but one endures this because he knows that in
 the end he will benefit from his efforts.

But just as it is not advisable to train for sports without 
guidance, I think demanding a student, or anyone else, to read a book without
 the offer of assistance is unwise and potentially harmful.  

In college, I took an English class that required I read
 William Shakespeare’s Othello. The
 professor expected that I could read the play and understand it without any help from him. Reading Othello was a terrible 
and humiliating experience. The only thing I gained from my experience with Othello was the mistaken belief I not smart enough to appreciate Shakespeare. It was only through my wife, who loves Shakespeare, 
that I came to appreciate the wonder of his writings. With her patience and confidence in my 
abilities, I realized that I was “smart enough” to read Shakespeare.

The best way to take the bite out of summer reading is to
 share the experience with your child.  Learn
 something about the books your son or daughter has been asked to read. This way you can ask them questions about 
the book as they are reading it.

It also 
helps to learn something about the author. One of the books my son is reading was written by an author who was
 blacklisted because he was suspected of being a communist.  I know this tidbit will appeal to his teen
 rebel instincts.

You can also read the 
books along with your child. Reading a 
difficult book becomes easier when you can share it with someone else.

If you need to learn about a summer reading book, don’t be 
afraid to ask a librarian. We’re here to help and we know all about books and 
authors. Most of all, remember that 
librarians like nothing more than to talk with you about what you’re reading—for better or worse. Enjoy your
 reading this summer!