… Or is it re-reading an old chapter? Probably a little bit of both. On December 31, 2021, the Reading Tub ended its 20-year run as a literacy nonprofit [aka 501(c)(3)]. Yes, the COVID pandemic played a part in our rethinking, but it was not the only factor that led to the Board’s decision to cease formal operations.  So, after donating 20,000 new books to at-risk readers and their families; writing and publishing 8,800 reviews and myriad blog posts; as well as sharing countless book lists, reading suggestions, and literacy tips, it is time to begin the next chapter. Which, is, sorta kin ..read more

This morning, Mary Ann Cappiello, Professor of Language and Literacy at Lesley University, and Xenia Hadjioannou, Associate Professor of Language and Literacy Education at Penn State University, Harrisburg Campus, sent the following letter to The New York Times. The letter specifically requests that the paper add three children’s nonfiction bestseller lists to parallel the existing picture book, middle grade, and young adult lists, which focus on fiction. This change will align the children’s lists with the adult bestseller lists, which separate nonfiction and fiction. It will also acknow ..read more

I was recently invited to contribute to an article about literacy for an article entitled “Easy Tips and Advice from the Experts to Handle Homeschooling. There are LOTS of great suggestions, even if you aren’t a homeschool family. As a mom who struggled with math herself, I would have truly benefited from “preparing for topics you don’t understand.” I also liked the suggestions on how to organize your time when you have students of different ages (think homework wars). I hope you read the full article. It is packed with information. But since you’re visiting the Reading Tub, I am popping in my ..read more

Ah, the perennial first homework assignment of the new school year … at least back in the day! Even before the pandemic, I suspect that the task of writing something about your summer has gone by the bye. For some of us, though, it represented a pause: a chance to look back at the last chapter and get ready to start the next one.  Things have been pretty quiet around here, so I hope you don’t mind if I fall back on an old habit and let you know what I’ve been doing this summer. Not as much reading as I had hoped. In May, I started Mira in the Present Tense by Sita Brahmachari. I absolute ..read more

  We’ve written about it before (here and here) but it is worth repeating: nonfiction is a great book hook. Sure non-fiction titles are great for striving readers (aka reluctant readers) but they are an excellent choice for any reader. Kids and teens have an insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge that books with factual information – and often amazing photography – can satisfy.  There are so many great nonfiction options for young readers. Illustrated books with inset photographs aren’t the only choice. Narrative nonfiction offers factual information in a way that reads like ..read more

Today’s book hook is all about the “Ick Factor.” The information and illustrations that make readers say “oh, gross” and “yuck” and then keep reading! Because nature gives us so many “yucky” things that people like to take pictures of, the list skews more toward illustrated nonfiction, though not exclusively. There are a few fictional and informational titles, but we purposefully stayed away from horror. All of the nonfiction titles are illustrated and are laid out in a way that readers can thumb through the book, find a photo of interest, and then read a little before looking for the next thi ..read more

No joke! One of the easiest ways to get a kid to read is to hand them something that will have them giggling, guffawing, or moaning about how “corny” something is. Humor is a great book hook. I discovered the power of humor as a book hook by watching my own, self-proclaimed non-reader. As you might expect, I tend to leave books lying around the house … in obvious places, like the coffee table or her nightstand. At first, she used illustrations (think Big Nate or Wimpy Kid) to help her decide, but as she got more trusting, she’d read a chapter or two. Illustrated or just narrative text, if she ..read more

Finding the clues to books that your kid and teen will like may be easier than you think. If you’re trying to solve the mystery of getting your child or teen to spend more time with a book, the answer just might be to start reading aloud a mystery. No, really. Mysteries pique our curiosity in ways other stories don’t. Why? Because we like closure. Cliffhangers and the unknown push us to keep going. We want to know what happened or “whodunnit.” Police dramas are only one kind of mystery, but their popularity helps set the context for why mysteries can work with young readers. In the 2014-2015 ..read more

To be honest, Tip #3 could just as easily be Tip #1.5. But because writing is a distinct – and critical – literacy skill, I opted to highlight its value as its own step in your family garden activity. From the beginning, you’ve been writing as you go: plans, checklists, store lists, etc. It was a natural part of the process, and that is what makes it so awesome. It is modeling at its best: using a required skill for daily life. There is no one-size-fits-all journal. You might use yours like a diary, but here are five other ways that a gardening journal can be fun and helpful. As a calend ..read more

A quick note: There is no right or wrong garden! My focus is on outdoor gardening, but there are plenty of options for indoor gardens, too.  Now that you’ve planted a seed and planned out your family garden project, it’s time to get growing. BUT! Before digging in, we need to check our supplies. Checklists are a simple – and incredibly valuable – literacy tool. First, they can help us focus. Second, “push” our brains to organize our thoughts. Third, we always feel successful when we check things off a list.  Use brainstorming to create your checklist. Ask everyone to add their ideas ..read more