
FAQs
Q: How do I know if what my child is reading is appropriate?
A: I have a couple of suggestions to help you:
- Websites that “rate” books and give a glimpse of content:
- Common Sense Media (easy to read rating system)
- Scholastic (provide many tools and suggestions for parents and children)
- Amazon provides reading levels and age ranges
- Having discussions
- When it comes down to it, you know your child. You know what they like, have experienced, and what may worry them. Allowing your child to read a more “mature” book, whether it be violence or language or other mature content, is a good conversation to have with your child.
- Reading the book together or just checking in about the book is a good way to keep them comfortable with approaching you if something bothers them.
- When I have students share a part in a book that is violent or there is language, my first question is “how does that make you feel?” If it seems to really bother them, I ask if they think they should stop. If they don’t seem bothered, I tell them to skip that part or keep reading and let me know if anything else happens.
- The books at their levels range in content and keeping an open dialogue can help guide them to what they like and are comfortable with-and this will help your comfort level too!
- Reading the book before or with your child.
- Asking a librarian or teacher!
- I am always open to discussing a book, whether I have read it or not. Together we can determine what is best.
Have more questions for me? Contact me!