Do reading tests discriminate?
Girls score higher than boys in reading tests, but they may not be better readers. Their scores may reflect that literature in school is "feminized," or focuses on girl-centric narrative essays, says Kathy Sanford, an assistant professor, faculty of education at the University of Victoria. Boys prefer informational texts that describe how to make or do things, or sports stats, which don't appear in school textbooks.
Indeed, Sanford says boys may read every bit as much and as well as girls, just differently. Even Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon cards -- surprisingly complex packages of data -- qualify as reading material; so, don't fret if your son isn't scoring as well as the girls. Instead, "acknowledge that he is reading. It's just different material," she adds.
Bring out your child's inner bookworm
If your kid would rather play Game Boy than read the Hardy Boys, try these tips from ABC Canada Literacy Foundation, a charity that promotes literacy, for getting kids hooked on books.
1. Do simple crosswords together and play board games -- most encourage kids to read instructions.
2. Provide a space for kids to store books, even a bin.
3. Discuss magazine, Internet and newspaper articles with your kids.
4. Read together; even 15 minutes a day can improve her skills.
5. Give your kids library cards. Help them choose books related to their interests and activities.
10 to try
The staff at Woozles in Halifax, the oldest children's bookstore in Canada, lists their Top 10 books for kids.
FOR BOYS
1. Holes (Yearling, 2000) by Louis Sachar
2. The Thief Lord (Scholastic Canada, 2003) by Cornelia Funke
3. Artemis Fowl (Hyperion, 2004) by Eoin Colfer
4. Midnight for Charlie Bone (Eggmont, 2002) by Jenny Nimmo
5. The Amulet of Samarkand: Bartimaeus Trilogy Book One (Hyperion, 2004) by Jonathan Stroud
FOR GIRLS
1. Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins Canada, 1998) by Gail Carson Levine
2. Journey to the River Sea (Macmillan Childrens, 2002) by Eva Ibbotson
3. Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick, 2002) by Kate DiCamillo
4. Secret Letters from 0–10 (Penguin USA, 2000) by Susie Morgenstern
5. The Sky Is Falling (Penguin, 1991) by Kit Pearson
The Net generation
Check out the The Canadian Children's Book Centre, which promotes the reading, writing and illustrating of Can lit for kids. The site also has reviews and lists of kids' book stores by region.
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