Despite some grumbling, I’ve instituted a new habit at our house. In the evening, after dinner, we read a chapter of a kids book together. I read some of it, my husband does, and so do the kids. The book I picked is The Golden Compass. We’ve got the other two books as well, for when we finish this one. 
I thought since it’s coming out as a movie soon, the kids would be interested in reading it. I’ve heard it’s actually supposed to be better than the Harry Potter books. This is part of the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman.
It took over an hour for us to read the first chapter aloud, but it was worth it I think. We did a lot of pausing for Q&A, testing the kids on what they had read or heard. In this way, we’re sharpening their reading and listening skills. For a children’s book, this one has a lot of words that we define for the kids as we go along, such as “ingratiate” or “apprehension.” They figured out the definition of the latter by using context; I was proud of them!
Before now, I really considered reading a solitary thing. I didn’t realize how much fun four people could have with a book. Sure, we used to read bedtimes stories when they were little, but they grew out of it, and our family book time just sort of lapsed. That’s a terrible thing to admit as an author, but we’re having fun with this now. We’ll read a chapter a night until it’s finished.
Do you guys do anything like this? If so, what books could you recommend to add to my family reading list? Bear in mind the kids are 8 and 10. If not, how come? A random commenter will receive any book they like from my backlist.
October 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
What a wonderful tradition you are starting. I read with my kids when they were growing up. Long time ago, my youngest is 37.
October 28th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
My son is 11 now & he’ll read on his own. Not as much as I would like though. When he was small we used to read to him all the time. His favorite was a Christmas book. I had to start reading that one in November. He’s really into history right now ( like different wars) but I think some of them are alittle to adult for him.
October 28th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
My nephew is their age and he loves the Tree House series by Mary Pope Osbourne.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
My kids are 20 and 23 but I remember reading the narnia series to them and with them at about your kid’s ages. of course they may have seen the movie but that’s just one of the books. I’m not up on today’s books for young children but there’s a lot of places online like random house that recommend them. I think it’s a great idea.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Since I teach children of this level, I really liked Holes by Louis Sachar. You can watch the movie after and compare/contrast the characters. I also liked reading aloud the “Series of Unfortunate Events” series. My class always loved them. If your kids love the fantasy aspect, I like the Artmeis Fowl series- the main character is flawed. I liked the teen spy thrillers with the first title being, “Stormbreaker”. I don’t know which state you live in, but most have contests for this age group. In IL it’s called the Rebecca Caudill Award and children must read at least 3 out of the nominated 20 titles to vote for which book they think is best. If you like, you can email me off list for more recommendations. Happy reading!!
October 29th, 2007 at 1:27 am
When my daughter was little I would read to her then as she got older she would participate more. The older she got the more we shared reading books together.Now she’s grown and I miss our times we shared reading together.
I recommend James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series for your family.They are great stories to share with eachother.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I think it’s great that you’re reading together as a family (and I love The Golden Compass). I was apparently no fun to read to once I learned to read myself; I would sit there reading my own book while my mother was reading aloud! That being said, in school my teachers would play records (yes, I am just that old!) of the Newberry winners to us after lunch, and I really enjoyed it. I think what you’re doing is probably terrific for their reading comprehension.
When I was around the age of your kids, Zilpha Keatley Snyder was my favorite author. Our library had an autographed copy of one of her books, and I thought that was the most exciting thing ever!
October 29th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I’d recommend Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword. TBS is sequel to Hero but it was written first and is probably supposed to be read first.
I love your idea of spending an hour reading a story out loud. Talk about a return to basics.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:42 am
I read the entire Annoe of Green Gables series and am still in lvoe with it.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Oh, great recommendations! Thank you.
I’m especially curious about the TreeHouse books.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
The Magic Tree House series is about a brother and sister and their great adventures. Lots and lots of titles to choose from, too.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Definitely pick up the Tree House series. Those are fictional- they have a non-fiction rider to some of the books. I can recall a separate book about Ancient Egypt and Medieval Castles to mention a few of those.