Whether the girl was a struggling, below-grade-level reader or an off-the-charts overachiever, if a parent asked what more they could do for their girl, I always recommended the same book. And I came across it again, just the other day, while dusting and de-junking. What made this book so special was its ability to expand reading; to make it a lively, boisterous activity -- not just something nerdy kids do quietly in the corner. And how does that happen? Book clubs.
100 Books for Girls to Grow On is Shireen Dodson's miracle. She makes it possible for parents (mothers, particularly) to have the kind of discussions that teach their daughters how to be flourishing readers, and teach readers how to think. These dialogues can truly make a well-trained educator envious. But more than that, they bond the girls to their mothers.
Each book she recommends has a brief (single paragraph) introduction and summary, many thoughtful discussion questions, a few lines about the author, and intriguing ideas about how to address the themes of the book in ways that lend themselves to a group discussion. (The book was published in 1998, so some of my newer favorites aren't included. Like Stargirl. You can't live without Stargirl.)
Her book is, as you can imagine, designed to be implemented in a group setting: mothers, daughters, all gathered together, laughing, listening, interrupting each other and occasionally sparring about their interpretations of characters. And, of course, snacking on refreshments. (Doesn't it sound delightful? Don't you want to be invited?) Forming just that kind of group can be a bit daunting, but not once you've read her first book, The Mother-Daughter Book Club: How Ten Busy Mothers and Daughters Came Together to Talk, laugh, and Learn Through Their Love of Reading.
Book clubs are hardly just for girls. Often, I feel boys benefit even more substantially. (That's another post for another day!) However, Shireen's books are written with girls in mind. Two other books worth mentioning along this line include:
Book by Book: The Complete Guide to Creating Mother-Daughter Book Clubs
The Mother-Daughter Book Club, a fictional series geared to girls 9-11
2 comments:
Thanks for posting this, I haven't heard of this one. I'll have to check it out. I wonder if there is a "boys" version out there?
With 5 girls you can bet I'm going to go out and find this book. Thanks so much for recommending it!
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