Why would you devote a website just to books
for 2nd
graders or 3rd graders?
First, books change lives. We know that the
right book for
the right child at the right time can do wonders. It can create a
lifelong
reader, it can encourage, it can comfort, it can—well, in short,
change a life.
That means each student’s needs are important.
Second, with the education reform bringing in
the Common
Core, teachers and parents are looking more closely at the grade
level of
books. As librarians and teachers, we are also looking for
teaching materials
that fit the bill for the Common Core. Our staff screens every
book for its
reading level and suitability for the second or third grade. We
know that these
books are a great read for students.
Third, we believe that kids should be reading
contemporary
literature. What does your child or student watch on TV?
- Reruns of “I Love Lucy”?
- Reruns of “Gomer Pyle”?
- Reruns of “Lassie”?
There’s nothing wrong with classics, but if
your student
ONLY watches reruns, something is out of whack. Today’s students
need today’s
literature. Not reruns.
A recent study of books read by kids revealed
that Dr. Seuss
was the most popular author for K-3rd grades. The classics are
great, we love
them. But it appears that classics are 75-80% of what kids are
reading in
school. Something is out of whack.
Instead, 2ndGradeReading wants to encourage
kids to read
contemporary literature, nonfiction and fiction. Publishers are
turning out
exciting, engaging, contemporary work in every genre. Kids are
missing out on
books meant for their generation.
Finally, we understand that teachers,
librarians, students
and parents are all busy. Even if you agree that kids should be
reading the
best of today’s literature, who has time to read through the
stacks of books to
find the gems?
We do. We screen through the mass of books
looking for the
best. And we make sure you hear about it. Our newsletter goes out
three times a
week, each time featuring a brand new book. Do we expect that you
will love
every book we review. Of course, not. But we hope you will find
unexpected
gems. We hope you will find the right book for the right kid—and
change a life.
2ndGradeReading.NET and 3rdGradeReading.NET offer reviews of contemporary, grade-appropriate books for kids.
