Real Life Tween Reader

I've been watching L read since she was a wee one.  It became clear very early that she was mad about mythology and fantasy, and it's been very fun watching her grow as a reader.  I asked if she would be open to answering some questions for this blog, and she happily agreed.

Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes I do because I read a lot and I love to read.

What are your favorite genres to read?
My favorite genres are fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I usually select books from recommendations from my mom and from the school librarians.

What is your favorite book so far?
It's tough to choose a favorite book, but on of them is called "Dear America: I Walk in Dread", by Lisa Fraustino.  Another is "The Blood of Olympus", by Rick Riordan.

What is your favorite thing about reading?
My favorite thing about reading is just getting engrossed in a book and not getting enough of it.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
I don't usually read on the internet because I like the feel of books.

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age? Why?
?

What are you currently reading?

Real Life Tween Reader

D is a girl who reads all the time.  Seriously.  All. The. Time.

She is always up for a recommendation, has no problem with abandoning a book that doesn't fit, and is super enthusiastic about books.  I asked her if she would answer some reading questions, and she answered with an enthusiastic "Yes!"

Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes.  A serious one. I love to read and get upset when someone tries to interrupt me.

What are your favorite genres to read?
I love to read Realistic Fiction, but my favorite books are FANTASY!

How do you select the books you want to read?
I look at books that might seem interesting and I read the blurb.  I also get book recommendations and look for other books an author may have written.

What is your favorite book so far?
My favorite book so far is...Hunger Games, When You Reach Me, Harry Potter series, Proxy, Crook series, Ranger's Apprentice series, Sea of Trolls series, Cherub and MORE!

What is your favorite thing about reading?
That it takes me to a different world.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
No.  I like the feel of paper and the solid form of a book.

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
I think fiction books are most popular with kids my age because we like how we can be in a world that isn't possible, or won't happen to us.  We like how we experience problems that most likely won't happen to us now-a-days.

What are you currently reading?
The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Real Life Tween Reader

Jax is a kid I have known since he was a mere 4 year old.  He has grown into a quintessential middle school boy.  He's usually in the mix of everything and has grown into quite the reader.  He's usually up for a recommendation or two and was very helpful to me during my Newbery year!  I've been chasing him down to fill out this survey for me for a while.  When he's not surfing, playing video games or hanging out with his friends, he does like talking books!


Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes, I do consider myself a reader.

What are your favorite genres to read?
I like reading books with a lot of action in them, but also being funny.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I usually read the next book in the series or I ask the librarian if there is a book that has been a hit.

What is your favorite book so far?
I really liked The One and Only Ivan, but I also like the Daniel X series.

What is your favorite thing about reading?
I really like being attached to a book, and to feel like I am there.

Do you read on an ereader/iPad/phone?
I only do my reading from a book.

What kind of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
I think that kids my age like books that have a little bit of comedy, but are action and mystery.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading the third book of the Daniel X series by James Patterson.

Real Life Tween Reader

 "G" is a reader who likes to try books on.  She's a bit of a genre surfer, so it's a bit of tricky business to figure out what she might like next.  Here are her answers to the Tweendom survey.


Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes.  I am a reader.

What are your favorite genres to read?
My favorite genre to read is adventure.  I also sometimes like mysteries, realistic fiction and biographies.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I browse through the shelves.  When I see a title that hits me, I look at it.

What is your favorite book so far?
My favorite book so far?  That's hard.  Probably An Accidental Adventure: We Are Not Eaten by Yaks.

What is your favorite thing about reading?
My favorite thing about reading is cliff hangers!  They make you want to read more!

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
Sometimes I read on my mom's Kindle.
 
What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
The most popular books for kids my age are A Tale Dark and Grimm and In a Glass Grimmly.  I think they like them because they like scary books.

What are you currently reading?
I just started P.S. Longer Letter Later.

Real Life T(w)een Reluctant Reader

Lately, I've been thinking about kids who choose not to read.  As librarians we know that there are many reasons why certain kids are not readers.  I have a few of them in my life, and I am probably quite annoying to them, as I tend to foist books on kids at every turn.

Nick is one of those kids.  I know him from my real life, not my school life.  I am not his teacher or librarian...simply a neighbor in the summertime.  I've pushed a few books his way over the years...books that I thought he might enjoy, based on what I know about him.  No dice.  Nick is a kid who doesn't like to read.  He was nice enough to answer some of my questions about his reading habits.

Do you consider yourself a reader?
I don't consider myself a reader.

When was the last time you read a book for fun (not for school)?
The last time I read a book for fun, was the fifth grade. 

What was that book?
It was the Harry Potter series.

What do you like to do besides reading?
I like to practice my instrument or watch TV.

If you have to read something for school, how do you get through it?  Do you read the whole thing?
If I have to read something for school, I read the whole thing only because I have to and I don't want to fail the essay on the book.

Do other people in your family like to read?
The only person in my family who likes to read is my mom.

Why do you think reading is not your thing?
I think reading is not my thing because  I have a hard time getting into the book, and I think it's easier to just watch the movie.

Maybe someday I will find something for Nick to read.  Maybe someday he will find the perfect book without my help.  Maybe he will never turn into a reader of books.  The question that I have to ask myself as an adult and a reader and a librarian, is how far to go with the suggestions.  Not all kids like to read, and maybe that's just going to have to be okay.

On The Clipboard

The kids around school have been reading up a storm lately!  I don't know what it is, the the amount of fiction that I have been shelving lately, is epic!  Here are some of the titles that I have been shelving over, and over, and over again!

Throne of Fire, by Rick Riordan

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman

A Month of Sundays, by Ruth White

Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool

We'll Always Have Summer, by Jenny Han











Every now and again I have to pinch myself.  I work in a school where there is an amazing reading culture.  Readers advisory is seen as a skill, and our kids pick up on it and book talk back to us all of the time.  I can't wait to hear about what they read over the summer!

On the Clipboard

Here are some of the titles that our tweens have been checking out lately.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Selznick

The False Princess, by O'Neal

Science Fair, by Barry and Pearson

The Prophet of Yonwood, by DuPrau

The Adventures of Tintin, by Herge











What are your tweens reading these days?

On the Clipboard

The check outs have remained fast and furious these last few weeks.  Here are some titles that our tweens have been checking out!

Newsgirl, by Liza Ketchum

Dumpling Days, by Grace Lin

Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Green Glass Sea, by Ellen Klages

Pie, by Sarah Weeks











What have your tweens been reading lately?

Real Life T(w)een Reader

G is a kid who reads more than anyone I know.  More than folks on Newbery or Printz, more than any reviewer I have ever met.  He reads constantly.  No joke.  More than a book a day, and often.  Today he asked me for a recommendation, and I had nothing for him (notice his last answer).  Everything I have read, G has read...and more!  He is another who has rolled over into the teen zone, but he has been reading this way ever since I met him.  I've said it once, and I'll say it again...not all boys are reluctant.




Do you consider yourself a reader?
I guess so...

What are your favorite genres to read?
Anything that catches my attention.


How do you select the books you want to read?
I take a look at the spines of books and then I read the blurbs of any titles that catch my eye.  Then if I like the blurb, I read the book.

What is your favorite book so far?
Ranger's Apprentice, by John Flanagan
Drizz Do'urden books, by RA Salvatore
and various other books that I can't remember.


What is your favorite thing about reading?
You can imagine that you actually are there, and it serves as a welcome distraction from life.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
I prefer the paper version.

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
Fantasy and romance because they are between adults and kids so they like both.  They like to read what they dream about.

What are you reading?
Currently nothing, but I am trying to find something.

On the Clipboard

Hey there.  I have been shelving and shelving!  Here are some things that our tweens have been checking out on the clipboard!

 We Are Not Eaten by Yaks, by C. Alexander London

 Dragon in the Volcano, by Kate Klimo

A Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck

Hades, by George O'Connor

13 Gifts, by Wendy Mass












What have your tweens been reading lately?

Real Life Tween Reader

"Mak" is a kid who defies categorization.  He is a reader, an athlete, and a music fan among other things.  He can be counted on to provide his peers with book-talks, especially when they show some interest in a series that he enjoys.  He's a kid who is always on the go, and even though he has officially entered teendom,  I took advantage of a quiet moment in the library today to get him to answer some of my questions!

Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes, I enjoy reading.

What are your favorite genres to read?
Action, adventure and realistic fiction (books about high school life).  I enjoy humor in books.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I am a fan of following a series!  If not I usually hear about them from from my friends or librarians.

What is your favorite book so far?
The Ranger's Apprentice   series [Flanagan] and  the Harry Potter series [Rowling].

What is your favorite thing about reading?
I love that reading makes me feel like I am there in the moment.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
No.

What kinds of books do you think are the most possible with kids your age?
It really depends on the person, but two very popular ones in my grade are Pretty Little Liars  [Shepard](I don't read them), and Harry Potter.

What are you currently reading?
Ranger's Apprentice 10.

On the Clipboard

Holy cats!  I am up to my eyeballs in reading, and have been neglecting this here blog.  All apologies!  Without further ado, here's what our tweens have been checking out this week!

The Apothecary, by Maile Meloy

Ranger's Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja, by John Flanagan

Mercury, by Hope Larson

The Aviary, by Kathleen O'Dell

How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Crowell











So, what are your tweens reading these days?

Real Life Tween Reader

Mizzy is a reader who is what I consider open.  She is a passionate reader, and loves to tell you why she loved a particular story.  She is another reader who is happy to give us the gift of a test-drive for something where we want the reaction of a tween reader.  Here is what she has to say about her life as a reader!

Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes, I consider myself a reader.

What are your favourite genres to read?
I think now, my favorite genres is like realistic fiction.  I still like a few fantasy books now and then.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I get most of my books from recommendations from friends or my teachers.

What is your favourite book so far?
My favorite book so far is called Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher.

What is your favourite thing about reading?
My favorite thing about reading is probably just getting to sit down in a chair, opening up a novel and just passing the time with my nose in a book.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
I personally don't really like e-readers because I just love being able to flip a page.

What kid of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
I'm pretty sure kids my age are starting to read more young-adult books because we all know we are getting older by the minute and we have an advantage of reading those books.

What are you currently reading?
Currently, I am reading Sweetly, by Jackson Pearce.             

Real Life Tween Reader

"Lock" is a book-a-day-boy-reader.  He is a shining example of why the idea of boys as non-readers is in the realm of stereotype (at least in my own work place).  He keeps me on my toes, because not only does he read on average a book-a-day when he's on a roll, but he expects new and fresh recommendations each time!  He's pretty amenable to listening to suggestions, but he has a definite idea of what it is that he likes.

Do you consider yourself a reader? 
Yes, I consider myself a reader.  


What are your favorite genres to read? 
My favorite genres to read are fantasy fiction/ science fiction.

How do you select the books you want to read?  
I select my books by having people recommend them to me: parents, teachers, etc.

What is your favorite book so far?  
My favorite book of all time is probably Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

What is your favorite thing about reading?  
My favorite thing about reading is that it is an easy way to pass the time and there are always a lot of good books just waiting to be read.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
No I do not read on an electronic device.

What kinds of books do you think are most popular with kids your age?  Why?  
I think that the most popular books with boys my age are fantasy fiction/ sci-fi. I think for girls a popular genre is Realistic fiction/ gossip fiction. Because for girls they can connect to it. And for boys we can enjoy different parts of it.

What are you currently reading?  
I am currently reading Airman by Eoin Colfer.

Real Life Tween Reader

Sparkle is another reader who has been wandering around this library since she was 4. She will generally give anything a test drive, which is an invaluable service!  She's not shy about letting us know why a book works or why it doesn't!  It's fabulous to see a tween reader who knows what she likes, but is willing to give new things a chance.

Do you consider yourself a reader?
Yes, I do consider myself a reader.

What are your favorite genres to read?
Murder mysteries, fantasy, and humorous gruesome books.

How do you select the books you want to read?
I mostly ask for recommendations from librarians, or friends.

What is your favorite book so far?
My favorite book so far is A Tale Dark and Grimm because it is funny *and* bloody.

What is your favorite thing about reading?
My favorite thing about reading is learning the incredible character's story.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
Nope.  Only the real kind of book.

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
I have no idea.  I'm really not up to date on those things.

What are you currently reading?
I am reading The Romeo and Juliet Code.

Tween Readers

Star is what I like to call a "stealth" reader.  She asks for recommendations occasionally, but more often than not, I'll just catch a glimpse of her legs heading up the stairs, or the door closing behind her.  Her name will be on the clipboard with a barcode number right beside.

Do you consider yourself a reader? Why or why not?
Of course!  I read almost all the time!  Reading is one of my favorite things.

What are your favorite genres to read?
I love to read mystery books and historical fiction.  I like mystery because sometimes I solve the mystery before the character (which is awesome)!  I like historical fiction because I like to hear about mostly true past.

What is your favorite book so far?
That's a tough one.  I love all the books I read but my favorites would have to be Mother Daughter Book Club because it is a very real book and you can relate to the characters,  Harry Potter because of the fiction aspect and adventure,  Gilda Joyce because of the mystery,  and The Westing Game because of...well...EVERYTHING.

What is your favorite thing about reading?
My favorite thing about reading would have to be being able to get to know the character and how they deal with life's little issues from chocolate magical jumping frogs to crushes.

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?
I sometimes read on my kindle, but only at home.  I read a book on one once for a book club I was doing but I love the floppy pages of a book.  Plus I truly highly dislike  (notice I didn't say hate)  back light when I'm reading.

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?
I think kids love a graphic novel or a book about adventure (although graphic novels are often adventurey) but who wouldn't want to get lost in an adventure and pretend to do what the character is doing?

What are you currently reading?
Right now I am reading Much Ado About Anne the second book in the  Mother Daughter Book Club , after that I will read Dear Pen Pal the third book in the series.

Tween Readers

One of the new things that is going to happen on this here blog, is that I will be interviewing tweens about their reading habits.  The first reader to be interviewed on Tweendom is "Scout".  She has been wandering around my library for years, and when I think of the term "reader" I think of her.

Do you consider yourself a reader?

Definitely!  I love to read, and many of my friends complain that I "read too much."  I read as often as I can.

What are your favorite genres to read?

I enjoy reading realistic fiction, because I can really relate to the characters, historical fiction, because I love hearing about history, and fantasy, because, I mean, who doesn't like to read about wizards and flying and magic talking dragons? 

 

How do you select the books you want to read?

There are many other avid readers in my grade and in other grades, and I love hearing recommendations from them.  If I see a friend reading a good book, I'll probably go to the library and try to find it.  But sometimes I also just browse the library and look for good books.  I have the unfortunate bad habit of starting at the middle of the book, reading to the end and then finishing the beginning. 

 

What is your favorite book so far?

I have 3 favorite books, but I look for more favorites every day.  Currently my favorites are Queens Own Fool, by Jane Yolen, because the writing style is rich and marvelous,  Jacky Daydream, an autobiography of Jaqueline Wilson, because she has a way of making you get lost in the book and never want to come out, and Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle, because it is filled with real life problems but also real life happiness. 

   

  What is your favorite thing about reading?

   My favorite thing about reading is when I'm reading a good book, I'm totally gone.  Its like I'm traveling through a magical world instead of sitting on the couch, and I can't hear anybody (sometimes a problem around dinner time).  If you are reading the right book, reading can be amazing, and you never want to leave that book until you're finished. 

  

Do you read on an e-reader/phone/computer?

Never!  I do acknowledge that Kindles are practical, but I am a very much old fashioned reader, and I prefer to stick with a normal book instead of a cold computer screen.  Plus, how do you get lost in the story with a computer? 

   

What kinds of books do you think are the most popular with kids your age?  Why?

I think that adventure novels have been very popular with kids in my grade this year.  I see many people reading books such as The Hunger Games and Alex Rider.  I don't love adventure novels, but I can see how living a normal life in middle school can make you want some adventure. 

 

 What are you currently reading?

I've just finished To Kill A Mockingbird (everybody I asked loved it, so I had to find out whether it was good.)  I have started Born On A Blue Day, which is a memoir of an autistic savant.  It is an interesting perspective on life.

New Blog Alert

You all know how much fun it is to find a new blog, right?  Well this one is a little extra special since it is authored by a real life tween who I just happen to know.
"Scout" has been wandering around my library since she was about 3 and has just started her very own blog, which she has called "Blog 4 Book Lovers" .  Her  first review is for Lauren Myracle's Luv Ya Bunches, and if you head over to take a look, you can see what she thinks!

Welcome to the kidlitosphere, Scout!