I’ve been drafted (ok, ok, volunteered) to tutor/mentor 3 young girls this school year (starting two weeks ago).
#1 is entering the 9th grade* and is very intelligent but does not like to read for either pleasure, instruction or general knowledge.
#2 is entering the 7th grade and is also not keen on reading. She also is not very quick to pick up on concepts but she is interested and diligent.
#3 also entering the 7th grade (whom I haven’t actually met with yet, my first time will be this evening since I missed church yesterday - but I’ve read some assessments from her school in the past year, namely the latest IEP evaluation) probably feels the same about reading as the other two but I don’t know yet. She is, however, in a special education program** and from what I’ve read is not confident in her abilities in any areas except physical, artistic or musical. Happily, her skills in the more academic areas have been improving in the past year.
I’m looking for recommendations for books that are
- not very long 100-175 pages
- the subject matter is interesting
- the books are not focused on romantic relationships between teenagers (a sub-element of this is ok)
- not a lot of …oh I can’t remember the term, but when the book is written with a lot of colloquilisms or slang.
- the writing is fairly easy to follow (not The Cat in the Hat - but not War and Peace either) - I want to stretch their vocablulary but I don’t want to scare them.
- this is a church based program so while the material doesn’t have to be prim & proper - it shouldn’t be too racy. Books dealing primarily with anything supernatural we’ll tackle when I’m more certain they can think critically about what they’re reading. Other more “mundane” science-fiction/fantasy is welcome.
Each girl can read something different so I’m not looking for something that all of them can read concurrently since they’re all on different levels.
Right now I’m trying to get their summer reading assignments completed before school starts.*** But after that I’m trying to stay away from stuff that is normally taught in schools. Of course I’ll help them with what’s assigned to them in class but what I give them will be in addition to that.
Right now girl #1 and I are reading Animal Farm by George Orwell and I’ve picked out A hero ain’t nothin’ but a sandwich by Alice Childress, as her second summer reading selection.[sub][sup]( I know this book violates #4 on my list above but I had a limited selection and was trying to find something quickly.)[/sub][/sup]
Girl #2 and I are reading Sounder by William Armstrong as her summer reading project. (She only has to do one book.)
So, any help anyone could give would be VERY much appreciated. (Please if you recommend a book, give me a brief synopsis of the storyline.)
Thanks in advance,
mornea
- For all of you who are unfamiliar with the US public school system, a 9th grader is usually @14 years old and 7th graders @12 years old.
**This is incredibly daunting to me. I pray that I am able to find a way to help this young lady become more confident in her abilities. I subscribe to the notion that everyone is capable of learning - if they are taught in the way that is right for them.
**Yeah so it’s the end of JULY before they even pick a book off of their respective lists and these projects have to be done by August 26th!!! Aaaacckkkk!