Allison Behne
May 11, 2012
A few nights ago, after tucking my children in bed and returning to the living room to finish some school work, I noticed a dim light from the hallway. I glanced down the hallway and realized the light was coming from my daughter's room. I walked to her room, stood in her doorway and saw her back turned and a light glow from under her covers. Startling her, I reminded her that she had school the next day and she should have already been asleep. She looked guilty and was quick to tell me that she had a book she "just couldn't put down". Although I was ecstatic to hear those words, I also knew that she would be extremely tired in the morning if I let her continue to read. I spoke the words I thought would never come out of my mouth. I said, "Please put your book down, you can finish it tomorrow." Disappointed, Sammi put her book down, turned off her book light, and curled into her pillow. As I returned to the living room I stopped to reflect on what had just happened.
As an adult reader I can think of many times I have been in the middle of a good book and as a result stayed up too late. Of course, when this happens, I pay the consequences when my alarm nags me to get out of bed in the morning. I know the night before what the consequence of my actions will be, yet I still choose to finish that good book. What is it about a good book that pulls us in and won't let us go? It could be how we relate to the characters, the suspense of the story, or the feel good plot. Sometimes it is the discussions we have with others about the story and our desire to take these conversations further. Other times, it is our need to know what happens at the end and our impatience that gets the best of us. Whatever it is, I am glad that I am grown and my mom is no longer in my doorway at night telling me to put my book down and go to bed.
So what makes a book irresistible for a student reader? My reflections led me to the foundational piece of reading instruction: Good Fit Books. When students have a purpose for reading, are interested in the text, comprehend the story, and know the words, they are successful. Reading Good Fit Books allows the reader to get involved in the storyline because there is no pressure or difficulty involved. My daughter was immersed in her book that evening because her teacher had taken the time to teach her the strategy of how to choose a Good Fit Book. This strategy will help her throughout her reading life and will most likely lead to many nights as an adult with the book light on and no mom in the door.
Thanks Mrs. Swanner for teaching her to love reading!