Reading Above Grade Level

So as a teacher I am always pushing knowledge in my kids and trying to anticipate future problems. Actually my anticipating future problems as nothing to do with my being a teacher and everything to do with me over analyzing and worrying about every possible situation. So, I am beginning to think about the future. My little man is sounding out words in his books that he doesn't know and prefers me to read "big books" instead of the preschool books he has memorized. The problem I am running into is that the topics that he likes most cars, sesame street, toy story and Thomas are all low level books that he loses interest in once he has memorized them which is after reading it maybe four times.

So I got to thinking what will happen in the future and remembered reading Eclipse, the ever popular Edward and Bella story. The next day went to work and one of my students was reading the book also. I remember my cheeks flushing as she told me that in the next book there was an S-E-X part that her mom wasn't going to let her read. I remember thinking I hope her mother doesn't let her watch the movie.

A few weeks later a fourth grader at church was spied with the first house of night book. I caught myself wanting to ask the mother if she had pre-read the book as in the beginning there is a pretty obvious sexual encounter with two of the characters.

All of this put together made me think that parents really need a place to look for age appropriate books on their child's reading level. Sometimes schools have this information but sometimes teachers don't know anything more than that a lot of students read a certain series.

So, if you are a parent that has a question about a book your child wants to read ask me about it. If I haven't read the book I will and give you my honest opinion about it. I believe in protecting the innocence of children and keeping them kids as long as possible so my book reviews and book lists will be based on that.

Keep checking on the blog for some book lists. I am going to try to post some lists for all different ages.